What Documents Do You Need to Form a US LLC from Overseas? (Articles of Organization)
A comprehensive documentation checklist for foreign founders detailing state incorporation filings, Operating Agreements, IRS CP575 EIN letters, Registered Agent consents, and bank verification records.
- •Articles of Organization: The state legal charter establishing your LLC entity.
- •IRS Form CP575 (EIN Letter): Federal tax assignment document issued by the IRS.
- •Operating Agreement: Internal governance contract specifying member ownership shares.
- •Registered Agent Appointment: Official acceptance consent from your state physical agent.
Table of Contents
1. Articles of Organization / Certificate of Formation
The Articles of Organization is the primary legal document filed with the Secretary of State to officially create your US LLC.
It contains:
- Official legal name of the LLC (must end in "LLC" or "L.L.C.").
- Registered Agent name and physical state address.
- Management structure (Member-Managed vs Manager-Managed).
- Organizer signature and filing timestamp.
2. The Operating Agreement (Internal Bylaws)
An Operating Agreement is a legal contract that outlines the internal rules, ownership percentages, rights, and duties of the LLC members.
Although not filed with the Secretary of State, US digital banks (Mercury, Relay) and payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal) mandatory require a signed Operating Agreement before opening accounts.
3. IRS CP575 EIN Confirmation Letter
Form CP575 is the official physical confirmation letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service assigning your 9-digit Employer Identification Number (EIN).
This document is essential for opening US bank accounts, filing federal tax returns, hiring staff, and processing international credit card transactions.
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4. Registered Agent Acceptance Consent
Every US state requires an LLC to maintain a Registered Agent with a physical street address in that state.
The Registered Agent receives official government correspondence and legal notices (service of process) on behalf of the LLC.
5. KYC Documents Required for US Bank Account Opening
When applying for a remote US business bank account (Mercury or Relay), foreign owners must provide:
Bank Account Passport & KYC Checklist:
- Valid International Passport (colour scan of bio page).
- State Approved Articles of Organization (PDF).
- IRS CP575 or 147C EIN Confirmation Letter.
- Signed LLC Operating Agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Articles of Organization, IRS CP575 EIN letter, custom Operating Agreement, Registered Agent, and US bank setup.