To open a Relay account, you need two documents that prove your business is legally registered: your EIN from the IRS and your Articles of Incorporation from your state.
What you need before you start
A legally formed US business (LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship with an EIN)
Your business's legal name and state of registration
Access as an authorized signer, either the business owner or an accountant with Power of Attorney, to request IRS records on your behalf
What is an EIN, and why does Relay need it?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS that identifies your business for tax and reporting purposes. Relay uses it to verify that your business is legally registered and that the names on your application match IRS records.
Every US business that opens a Relay account must have an EIN, including single-member LLCs and sole proprietorships that would otherwise file under a personal Social Security Number.
How do I apply for an EIN?
Apply for an EIN online, free of charge, through the IRS EIN Assistant.
Open the IRS EIN application. The tool is available Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET.
Complete the application in one session. The IRS does not save partial progress.
Download your EIN Confirmation Letter (CP-575) at the end. This is the document Relay accepts as proof of your EIN.
Save the CP-575 as a PDF or image (PNG, JPG, or JPEG) so you can upload it during your Relay application.
What if I lost my EIN confirmation letter?
If you've misplaced the original CP-575, you can request a replacement called a 147c letter from the IRS.
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line:
Toll-free (US): 1-800-829-4933, between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday
International: 1-267-941-1099
Only an authorized person can request the letter, either the business owner or an accountant with Power of Attorney on file. The IRS agent will ask security questions and may request your EIN, business name, business address, tax form type, and your position in the company.
If your business address or personal address has changed since you last filed, update it with the IRS first. File Form 8822-B for a business address change, or Form 8822 for a personal address change, before requesting the 147c letter.
What are Articles of Incorporation?
Articles of Incorporation are the legal document that shows your business was formed and registered in a specific US state. LLCs typically receive Articles of Organization instead, and some states use the term Certificate of Incorporation. All three serve the same purpose for account opening.
Relay uses this document to confirm your official business name and structure, your state of incorporation, and that your business is in good standing.
Where do I get my Articles of Incorporation?
You get your Articles of Incorporation from the Secretary of State (or equivalent business filing agency) in the state where your business is registered.
Search your state's business registry through the Secretary of State's website. See Secretary of State business entity search for state-by-state links.
Locate your business record and download the formation documents on file.
If the state doesn't offer a free download, request a certified copy through the Secretary of State's online portal. Most states charge a small fee and deliver the document by email or mail.
Save the file as PDF, PNG, JPG, or JPEG. Make sure the business name and formation date are legible.
What are Relay's document requirements?
Relay requires your EIN letter and may request your formation documents during the application. Documents must meet these requirements:
Business names match exactly across every document you submit
Files are unaltered and clearly legible
File format is PDF, PNG, JPG, or JPEG
The document is a full copy, not a screenshot of a partial page
See Required Documents and Organization Details to Open a Relay Account by Entity Type for the full list by business type.
Can I start my Relay application before I have all my documents?
Yes. Newly formed businesses can begin a Relay application and upload missing documents later, though final approval will be delayed until every required document is on file.
If you're waiting on your EIN or Articles of Incorporation, start the application anyway. You can save your progress and finish uploading once the IRS or your state has issued the documents.
Common issues and fixes
Business name on the EIN letter doesn't match your Articles of Incorporation. Confirm which name is legally registered with your state. If the mismatch is a typo, contact the IRS or the Secretary of State to correct the record before applying.
CP-575 was lost and no one can locate it. Request a 147c letter from the IRS at 1-800-829-4933. Only the business owner or an accountant with Power of Attorney can make the request.
Secretary of State site shows the business as inactive or dissolved. File any missing annual reports or reinstatement paperwork with your state before applying to Relay. Relay requires businesses to be in good standing.
State only issues Articles of Incorporation by mail. Request the certified copy as soon as you decide to open a Relay account. You can start the application in the meantime and upload the document when it arrives.
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