How to apply for an EIN online, by fax or by phone

The IRS online EIN application is free and gives the number at once, but the responsible party needs an SSN or ITIN. Foreign owners without one apply by fax, mail or phone.

Alexia M.Comparisons and market guides editor

Published: 16 September 2026
Reading time: 1 min read

"EIN application" and "ein number lookup" are among the top completions after "EIN". Every LLC and corporation needs one to open a bank account, hire or file taxes.

Four ways to apply

Method	Who	Timing
Online at IRS.gov	Responsible party with SSN or ITIN	Immediate
Fax Form SS-4	Anyone	About 4 business days
Mail Form SS-4	Anyone	About 4 weeks
Phone	International applicants	During the call

Foreign founders

A founder abroad without an SSN or ITIN cannot finish the online form. Fill in Form SS-4, sign it, and fax it to the number on the IRS instructions, or call the international applicants line. Write "foreign" where the form asks for an SSN.

After you get it

Save the CP 575 notice or request a 147C letter later.
Use the exact legal name on bank applications.
Give it to clients who ask for a W-9 if the company is a US entity.

Common mistakes

Using a paid service that charges for a free form.
Applying twice and getting two EINs.
Naming the wrong responsible party.

Paying into the United States: the local rail

What	Detail
Local rail	ACH for batch payments; RTP and FedNow for instant transfers
Run by	Nacha for ACH; The Clearing House for RTP; the Federal Reserve for FedNow
Settlement	Same-day ACH within the business day, standard ACH the next; RTP and FedNow in seconds, 24/7, where both banks take part

Source: Nacha: Same Day ACH. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.

Where Rivet fits

Rivet opens accounts for registered companies, including US LLCs owned by people abroad, once they have an EIN. Starter is free with USD details for ACH and wires. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See what is an EIN and ITIN vs EIN.

Questions people ask

How do I apply for an EIN online?

On IRS.gov, during the online application's hours, if the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN. The EIN is issued at the end of the session.

Can a foreign owner get an EIN?

Yes. Foreign owners without an SSN or ITIN file Form SS-4 by fax or mail, or call the IRS at the international number listed on its site.

How much does an EIN cost?

Nothing from the IRS. Services that charge are filing the same form for you.

What if I lost my EIN letter?

Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax line and ask for a 147C letter.

Sources

Written by

Alexia M.

Comparisons and market guides editor

Alexia compares the accounts, cards and payment tools companies weigh before they switch, and writes Rivet's market guides for founders in a specific country. Prices in Alexia's comparisons come from each provider's own pricing page on the date given in the article, rules come from the regulator or tax authority that sets them, and every source is listed at the end.