Beginner
How to create and verify account on Stripe
Quick Answer
Creating a Stripe account requires signing up with business details and verifying your identity through document submission. The verification process typically takes 1-2 business days and involves providing tax information, bank details, and identity documents.
Prerequisites
- Valid email address
- Business information and documents
- Bank account details
- Government-issued ID or business registration
1
Sign up for Stripe account
Visit stripe.com and click Start now. Enter your email address and create a secure password. Choose your country and business type from the dropdown menus. Click Create account to proceed.
Tip
Use a business email address if available, as it appears more professional to customers and partners.
2
Complete business information
Fill out the business details form including:
- Legal business name and doing-business-as name
- Business address and phone number
- Industry and business description
- Website URL (if applicable)
Tip
Ensure all information matches your official business registration documents exactly.
3
Add personal information
Enter your personal details as the account representative:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Home address
- Last 4 digits of SSN (US) or equivalent ID number
Tip
Have your government-issued ID ready as you'll need to upload it in the next steps.
4
Set up banking information
Navigate to Settings → Bank accounts and scheduling. Click Add bank account and enter:
- Bank routing number
- Account number
- Account holder name
Tip
Use a business bank account if you have one, as it helps with bookkeeping and looks more professional.
5
Upload identity verification documents
Go to Settings → Account details. Under the Identity verification section, upload required documents:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport)
- Business registration documents (if applicable)
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
Tip
Ensure documents are clear, well-lit photos or high-quality scans with all information visible.
6
Complete tax information
Fill out the tax form in Settings → Tax details. For US businesses, complete Form W-9. For international accounts, complete Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. Enter your Tax ID (EIN, SSN, or international equivalent) and click Save tax information.
Tip
Consult with a tax professional if you're unsure about which tax classification applies to your business.
7
Activate your account
Once all information is submitted, Stripe will review your account (typically 1-2 business days). You'll receive an email notification when approved. Log into your dashboard and you'll see Account activated status. Your account is now ready to accept payments.
Tip
You can start integrating Stripe into your website immediately after activation using the API keys found in the Developers section.
Troubleshooting
Account verification is taking longer than expected
Check your email for any requests for additional documentation. Contact Stripe Support through the dashboard if it's been more than 5 business days. Ensure all uploaded documents are clear and match the information provided.
Document upload fails or gets rejected
Verify documents are in supported formats (JPG, PNG, PDF) and under 10MB. Ensure all text is legible and the entire document is visible. Re-upload using a different browser or device if the upload continues to fail.
Bank account verification fails
Double-check routing and account numbers for accuracy. Ensure the bank account is active and in good standing. Some banks may require you to contact them to authorize third-party connections like Stripe.
Cannot access account after creation
Check your spam folder for the verification email and click the verification link. Try resetting your password using the Forgot password link. Clear browser cache and cookies, or try logging in from an incognito window.
Ready to get started with Stripe?
Put this tutorial into practice. Visit Stripe and follow the steps above.
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