How to Open a Relay Business Bank Account

Overview

Opening a Relay business bank account is a fast, secure, and entirely online process designed for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and accounting professionals. 

Before submitting an application:

• Relay supports accounts for businesses that are registered and operate in the United States.
• Certain industries are not supported. See: Prohibited Industries
• Relay does not currently support accounts for personal banking, escrow, trusts, or 401(k)s.
• Business owners residing in these countries are not eligible for a Relay account.

To learn more about Relay before submitting your application, see: What is Relay?

What You’ll Need to Apply

Before you begin, make sure you have the following ready:

• Your legal business name and address
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) and formation documents (e.g., Articles of Incorporation)
• Personal information for all beneficial owners (name, date of birth, address, SSN, photo ID)
• A valid U.S. phone number and email address
• Internet access and a computer or mobile device

For a detailed list by business type (LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietor, etc.), see: Required Documents to Open a Relay Account.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Go to the Relay Sign-Up Page
2. Enter Your Email. Provide a valid email address you’d like associated with your Relay account. This will be used for all future communications.
3. Confirm Your Eligibility. Relay only supports U.S.-registered business entities. You must:
   • Be at least 18 years old
   • Have a valid SSN or ITIN
   • Be operating a business registered in the United States
4. Provide Business Details
   • You’ll be asked to enter:
   • Business name and DBA (if applicable)
   • Type of business entity (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
   • EIN (Employer Identification Number)
   • Business address and industry
5. Add Owners and Beneficial Controllers. For each owner and anyone who controls the business (e.g., a CEO), you’ll need to submit:
   • Full legal name
   • Date of birth
   • Residential address
   • Social Security Number (SSN)
   • Valid government-issued photo ID
6. Upload Required Documents. Relay will prompt you to upload formation documents and verification materials. These may include:
   • Articles of Incorporation
   • EIN confirmation letter
   • Business address verification
   • Personal ID (driver’s license or passport)
7. Complete Identity Verification. You may be asked to complete a selfie verification step. Make sure you:
   • Have good lighting
   • Remove hats or glasses
   • Hold a valid ID clearly in view if prompted
8. Review & Submit Your Application

Once all required information is entered, click Submit. You’ll receive a confirmation email and can log in to track your application status.

What Happens Next?

• Most applications are reviewed within 1–2 business days.
• You may receive follow-up requests to clarify or update documents.
• Once approved, you can immediately fund your account and start banking with Relay.

Ready to be On the Money?

• For a full overview of the required documents and information needed to complete your application, see: Required Documents and Information.
• To apply for a Relay account, click here. It only takes a few minutes to submit an application.
• Most applications are reviewed within 1–2 business days.
• You may receive follow-up requests to clarify or update documents.
• Once approved, you can immediately fund your account and start banking with Relay.

Related Articles

• Required Documents to Open a Relay Account (by Entity Type)
• Getting Your EIN & Articles of Incorporation
• What Happens After You Submit Your Application
• How to Verify Your Identity

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