GuidePaymentsUpdated October 1, 2026
A US company for Stripe: getting ready as a non-US founder
Applying to Stripe with a US company is a chain of four links: the company, the EIN, a bank account in the company’s name and the Stripe application. This guide says who does each link and who decides. It is process transparency, not legal, financial or tax advice.
Sections on this page
Is Stripe available in my country?
Stripe’s list of countries where it serves businesses includes the United States and a limited set of other countries (stripe.com/global, as of 1 October 2026). The list may change; check the page for your country yourself before you apply.
That is why founders in countries Stripe does not serve usually apply with a US company. Forming the company is the first link of the application; Stripe decides on the account through its own review.
A Stripe application with a US company: four links
Every link has an owner. The order matters: each link asks for the document of the one before.
- LaunchUS Registered Agent
The LLC is formed
You answer the questions; the formation filing goes to the state through the LaunchUS Registered Agent service and the approved formation document is added to your vault.
- IRS
The EIN is issued
The SSN-free EIN application runs on Form SS-4; the Registered Agent team prepares it, you sign it. We obtain your EIN; the IRS issues the number. The EIN letter is added to your vault.
- Bank
A bank account in the company’s name
You apply to a bank or financial institution and the bank decides. LaunchUS takes no part in that application; the formation document, EIN letter and Operating Agreement wait in your vault.
- Stripe
The Stripe application
You open the Stripe account in the company’s name; Stripe reviews the company and owner details and decides on the account itself.
Formation details are on US LLC formation. For the EIN see the SSN-free EIN application, and for the address see LaunchUS Registered Agent.
What Stripe may ask for, and where it is in your vault
Stripe usually asks for the company’s legal name, its tax ID, the company address, the owner’s identity details and the bank account for payouts. Stripe shows the current list in its own application screens.
| Asked in the application | Where it is in your vault |
|---|---|
| Legal company name and state of formation | Formation document (Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation) |
| Tax ID (EIN) | The IRS EIN letter (CP 575) |
| Owners and management of the company | Operating Agreement |
| Company address | The registered agent address is for official service and is not used here; you see the business address options in the panel. |
| Bank account for payouts | Your bank account details; the bank opens the account, your company documents sit in the vault. |
The document preparation pack in the Pro plan collects these documents in one place. Compare the plans on the pricing page.
Which state?
A Stripe application runs the same way in both states; the choice of state is a separate decision. Your investment plans, the yearly state task and your budget weigh more in that decision.
See the criteria side by side in Wyoming vs Delaware. The state guides: Wyoming LLC and Delaware LLC.
Who does what?
- You
- Enters the details, signs the SS-4, applies to the bank and to Stripe.
- LaunchUS
- Checks the details, shows the process in the panel, adds documents to your vault.
- LaunchUS Registered Agent
- Files the formation with the state, prepares the SS-4 and sends it to the IRS.
- State
- Reviews the formation and issues the formation document.
- IRS
- Issues the EIN.
- Bank
- Reviews the company account application and decides.
- Stripe
- Reviews the account application and decides.
If you build an app or SaaS, our guide for app and SaaS developers also covers developer accounts.
Cost
On the LaunchUS side the line you pay is the service fee; the state fee is shown separately. If Stripe and the bank charge their own fees, they publish them on their own pages.
| Item | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| LaunchUS service fee | from $549 | LaunchUS |
| State fee (shown separately, may change) | The official formation fee; the exact amount is on the quote. | State |
All plans and annual services: Pricing and annual state fees.
What we do not do in this guide
- We make no promise that a Stripe account will be opened; Stripe decides.
- We do not apply to a bank on your behalf; the account decision is the bank’s.
- We give no tax or accounting advice; ask your accountant.
Questions about a US company for Stripe
If I have a US company, will my Stripe account definitely be opened?
No, nobody can say that. Stripe decides on the account through its own review. We make sure the company documents Stripe often asks for are ready in your vault.
Do I need a US bank account for Stripe?
Stripe pays out to a bank account and asks for it in the application; Stripe publishes which accounts it accepts on its own pages. You apply for the account and the bank decides.
Which address do I use on Stripe?
The Registered Agent address is for the state’s official service; it is not used as a bank, payment provider or marketplace verification address. You see the business address options in the panel.
Can I use the same company for PayPal?
PayPal also decides on its accounts itself. The company documents applications often ask for are similar and sit in one place in your vault; check each provider’s current requirements on its own pages.
Who pays the tax on Stripe income?
Your tax position depends on your company, your activity and your country of residence. We give no tax advice; ask your accountant.
Which step should I start with?
The order is company, EIN, bank account and the Stripe application. You start the first two links in the panel; documents are added to your vault as they arrive and you use them in the later applications.
Can I create a Stripe account without an SSN?
Stripe asks a US company for its EIN; for a company representative without an SSN it asks for other identity details and documents during onboarding. Stripe reviews each application and decides whether to open the account.
Which countries are supported by Stripe?
Stripe publishes and updates the list at stripe.com/global (accessed 31 October 2026). A company formed in a supported country, such as a US LLC, can apply even if its owner lives elsewhere; Stripe decides.
How much does Stripe charge per payment?
Stripe’s fees depend on the country and the payment method and are published at stripe.com/pricing. LaunchUS takes no share of Stripe fees; always check the current rate on Stripe’s own page.
These answers are process transparency, not legal, financial or tax advice. Consult your own tax adviser about your obligations.
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