Overview
To open a Relay business bank account, you’ll need two key documents that prove your business is legally registered:
This guide explains what these documents are, how to obtain them, and how to ensure they meet Relay’s requirements.
What Is an EIN and Why You Need It
The EIN is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS. It identifies your business for tax and banking purposes.
Relay uses your EIN to verify:
- That your business is legally registered
- That the name on your Relay application matches IRS records
How to Apply for an EIN
You can get an EIN directly from the IRS—free and online.
Apply online using this link here!
- The online application is available Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
- You must complete the application in one session (you can’t save it and return later).
- At the end, you’ll be able to download your EIN Confirmation Letter (CP-575).
What happens if I've misplaced my EIN verification letter?
- If you've misplaced your EIN verification letter, please call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933 (toll-free) between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.
- If you are not in the U.S., you can call 1-267-941-1099 (not toll-free) between 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday.
Before you call
Please review the following before calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line:
- Once you're connected with an agent, you will want to request a 147c letter. Requesting the letter is free.
- Only authorized persons, such as owners of the business, can obtain this letter from the IRS. Your accountant or bookkeeper is an authorized person if they were granted the Power of Attorney (POA) to represent your company before the IRS. For more information on the Power of Attorney (POA), click here.
- You will be asked security questions to verify your identity. Information you’ll need to have on hand for the IRS may include your EIN1, the name and address of your business, the type of business income tax form you file, and your name and position in the company.
The letter will either be mailed or faxed to you if the contact information is the same as what you provided when applying for an EIN. If your contact information has changed, you must first file Form 8822-B to notify a change in business address or Form 8822 to notify a change in personal address.
For more information about Form 8822-B, click here. For more information about Form 8822, click here.
1 For more information on EINs, visit the IRS website by clicking here.
What Are Articles of Incorporation?
Also called a Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of Organization (for LLCs), this document proves your business is legally registered in a specific U.S. state.
Relay uses this document to verify:
- Your official business name and structure (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
- Your state of incorporation
- That your business exists and is in good standing
Where to Get This Document
You can obtain a copy from the Secretary of State (SOS) where your business is registered.
To locate your business online:
Search your state's business registry. Once you find your entity:
- Look for options to download or request a certified copy
- Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG
Example: For a business registered in California, visit: https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business
Document Requirements for Relay
Relay will ask you to upload your EIN letter and may request your formation documents during the application process.
Make sure:
- Business names match exactly across all documents and your application
- Documents are unaltered and clearly legible
- File types are PNG, JPG, JPEG, or PDF
If your business is newly formed and you're still waiting for one of these documents, you can begin your application and submit the missing documents later—but approval will be delayed until they’re received.
Related Articles
- Required Documents to Open a Relay Account
- How to Open a Relay Business Bank Account
- How to Verify Your Identity
Still have questions? Our team is ready to help! Contact us