How to Get a Stripe Account with a US Company: Complete Guide
Why Stripe Requires a US Company
Stripe is one of the world''s most powerful payment platforms — used by Amazon, Shopify, Slack, and millions of businesses globally. However, Stripe does not currently operate in Turkey due to regulatory requirements set by BDDK (Turkey''s Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency).
The standard solution: form a US LLC, open a US bank account, and register Stripe under the US entity. This is entirely legal and widely practiced by Turkish and international entrepreneurs.
What You Get with a US Stripe Account
- Accept payments in 135+ currencies
- Full access to Stripe Billing (subscriptions), Stripe Connect, and Stripe Radar (fraud protection)
- Standard US transaction fee: 2.9% + $0.30
- Funds deposited within 2 business days
- Integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress, and all major platforms
Best State for a Stripe-Focused LLC: Wyoming
For entrepreneurs whose primary goal is Stripe access, Wyoming LLC is the optimal choice:
- Formation fee: $100 (2–3 business days)
- No state income tax
- Annual report: $60/year
- Strong privacy — member names not in public records
- Well recognized by Stripe, Mercury, and Relay
Step-by-Step: From LLC to Active Stripe Account
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Form Your LLC (~3 business days)
File Articles of Organization in Wyoming (or Florida). Appoint a registered agent. Cost: $100 state fee. -
Apply for EIN (~4–6 weeks for foreign applicants)
Complete IRS Form SS-4 and fax to +1 (304) 707-9471. You will receive a CP575 or 147c confirmation letter. This is the most time-consuming step. -
Open a US Bank Account (~1–2 weeks)
Apply to Mercury Bank or Relay online. Submit Articles of Organization, EIN letter, and passport. Stripe requires routing and account numbers to deposit funds. -
Create Your Stripe Account (same day)
Go to stripe.com → Start now → Register with email → Select "LLC" as business type → Enter company details, EIN, and US address → Add bank account routing/account numbers. -
Stripe Verification (~1–3 business days)
Stripe may request additional documents: Articles of Organization, EIN confirmation letter, passport, and proof of address. Verification typically completes within 1–3 business days.
Documents Required for Stripe
- Articles of Organization (state-certified)
- EIN confirmation letter (CP575 or 147c from IRS)
- US bank account (routing + account numbers)
- Passport (for owner identity verification)
- US business address (registered agent address is acceptable)
ITIN is not required for Stripe activation. EIN alone is sufficient.
Total Cost Breakdown
- Wyoming LLC formation: $100 state fee
- Registered agent (1st year): $50–150
- EIN application: free (IRS)
- Mercury bank account: free
- Stripe account: free (pay-per-transaction only)
With Akkemik Consultancy handling the full formation process, packages start from $315 and include registered agent, EIN application, Operating Agreement, and banking guidance.
Stripe Alternatives
- PayPal Business: Also requires a US company. Higher fees but wider consumer recognition. You can activate both Stripe and PayPal with the same LLC.
- Payoneer: Can be used from Turkey directly without a US company. More limited than Stripe for SaaS or subscription businesses.
- Wise Business: Excellent for multi-currency receiving and international transfers, but not a full payment processor like Stripe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this legal? Yes. Forming a US LLC and using Stripe through it is fully legal for Turkish citizens.
Do I need an ITIN for Stripe? No. EIN is sufficient for Stripe account verification.
How long does the whole process take? Typically 6–8 weeks total: 3 days for LLC formation, 4–6 weeks for EIN, 1–2 weeks for bank account.
Can my Stripe account get suspended? Risk is low for legitimately formed companies. Use accurate information, avoid prohibited business categories, and maintain low chargeback rates.