You’ve formed your Delaware LLC. Now you need an EIN — and you don’t have a US Social Security Number.
The IRS online application is closed to you. That’s the only limitation. Everything else works the same way as it does for US residents, and you have three paths to get your EIN: phone, fax, or mail.
This post covers all three — including the exact IRS numbers, timelines, and how to fill out the application correctly as a non-resident.
For a broader overview of the full formation process, see our complete Delaware LLC formation guide →
What Is an EIN and Why Do You Need One as a Non-Resident?
An EIN — Employer Identification Number — is a 9-digit federal tax ID that the IRS assigns to your business. It functions like a Social Security Number, but for your company.
As a non-US resident running a Delaware LLC, you need an EIN to:
- Open a US business bank account — virtually every bank and fintech platform (Mercury, Relay, Wise Business) requires it
- Accept payments through Stripe, PayPal, or similar platforms — these processors ask for it during business account setup
- File US federal taxes — your LLC’s federal return uses the EIN as the company identifier
- Pay US contractors — if your LLC issues 1099s to US-based freelancers or vendors
Without an EIN, your LLC exists legally but can’t function in the US financial system.
Can a Non-US Resident Get an EIN? (The Short Answer)
Yes — with no exceptions based on nationality or residency. There are no citizenship requirements to obtain an EIN for a US LLC.
The only limitation is method: you cannot use the IRS online application without a US Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). But you don’t need either of those to get an EIN. You apply using Form SS-4, by phone, fax, or mail, and the IRS issues the EIN through the same method.
You also do not need a US address. A foreign address is accepted on Form SS-4. Having a US address may simplify banking later, but it’s not required to get the EIN.
Before You Apply: Three Things to Have Ready
- Your Delaware LLC must already be formed.
The IRS requires your entity to exist before you apply for an EIN. File your Certificate of Formation with the Delaware Division of Corporations and wait for state approval before submitting your SS-4. Applying before your LLC is formed can create a mismatch that causes problems when you open a bank account.
- Download the current Form SS-4.
Get the most recent version directly from the IRS at irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf. The current version is Rev. 12-2025. Don’t use a third-party copy — use the official IRS PDF to make sure you have the right version.
- Read the SS-4 instructions for non-residents.
The instructions at irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iss4.pdf cover how to handle fields that assume a US SSN. Knowing how to fill out lines 7a and 7b correctly will save you from the most common rejection reason.
How to Fill Out Form SS-4 as a Non-Resident
Most of Form SS-4 is straightforward. These are the fields that require extra attention when you don’t have a US SSN or ITIN.
Line 7a/7b: Responsible Party Without an SSN
The responsible party is the individual who owns or controls the LLC — typically you, the founder. Line 7b asks for your SSN or ITIN.
If you have neither, write “Foreign” in line 7b. This is the IRS-accepted way to indicate you’re a non-US person with no US taxpayer ID. Leaving it blank or writing “N/A” can cause processing delays.
Line 9a: Entity Type
Check “Limited Liability Company” and enter the number of members. For a single-member LLC owned by a foreign person, you may also see guidance to note “Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity” if your LLC will need to file Form 5472 (a separate requirement for foreign-owned single-member LLCs with reportable transactions). For most non-resident founders just getting started, “LLC” with the member count is sufficient.
Line 10: Reason for Applying
Write “Started new business” or “Banking purposes” — both are accepted and clear to the IRS processor.
Signature
Sign and date the form. The signature must be the responsible party named in lines 7a/7b. Unsigned forms are rejected.
Method 1: By Phone (Fastest)
Call the IRS at +1-267-941-1099
Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 11:00 pm Eastern Time
Cost: Not a toll-free number — standard international call rates apply
This is the fastest option for non-residents. Have your completed Form SS-4 in front of you before you call. The IRS representative will ask you the questions from the form line by line, and if everything is in order, they’ll issue your EIN on the call.
What to expect:
- The call typically takes 20–30 minutes
- Hold times vary — calling when the line opens at 6am ET tends to be shorter
- The representative reads you your EIN at the end of the call — write it down immediately
- A physical confirmation letter (CP 575) follows by mail in a few weeks, but the EIN is valid from the moment it’s issued on the call
One note: the representative cannot help you complete the form — they can only accept answers from an already-prepared SS-4. Go into the call prepared.
Method 2: By Fax (~4 Business Days)
Complete your Form SS-4 and fax it to the IRS. The fax number depends on your location:
- Outside the US: +1-304-707-9471
- Within the US (no US legal address): +1-855-215-1627
The Fax-TIN program is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Include your return fax number on the form. This is how the IRS sends your EIN back. Without a return fax number, the IRS mails the EIN instead, which adds weeks to the process.
If you don’t have a physical fax machine, online fax services (eFax, Fax.Plus, MyFax) work fine. Most allow you to send a fax to a US number and receive the reply to a digital inbox.
Timeline: The IRS typically returns the EIN within 4 business days of receiving the fax. Errors or missing information on the form will cause a rejection and restart the clock.
Method 3: By Mail (~4 Weeks)
Mail your completed, signed Form SS-4 to:
**Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN International Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
USA**
Note the “International Operation” designation — this is specifically for applicants with no US address. If you use the standard domestic EIN mailing address, your application may be routed incorrectly and take longer.
Processing time is approximately 4 weeks, though the IRS notes that high-volume periods may cause delays. Mail is the slowest option and generally only makes sense when fax isn’t available or you have no time pressure.
After You Get Your EIN
Once you have your EIN, these are the typical next steps:
Open a US business bank account. For non-residents, traditional US banks (Chase, Bank of America) typically require an in-person visit and a US address. Most non-resident founders use online business banking platforms like Mercury or Relay, which support remote account opening and accept EINs issued to foreign-owned LLCs.
Set up payment processing. Stripe, PayPal, and similar platforms require your EIN during business account activation. Have your EIN confirmation ready when you sign up.
Understand your US tax obligations. Forming a Delaware LLC doesn’t automatically create US tax obligations — it depends on whether your LLC has US-source income or a physical US presence. A cross-border tax advisor can confirm whether you need to file US returns, and whether your LLC needs to file Form 5472 as a foreign-owned disregarded entity.
Store your EIN confirmation. Keep your IRS confirmation letter with your company records. If you lose it, you can call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at +1-800-829-4933 to retrieve the number.
Common Mistakes That Cause Rejections and Delays
Applying before the LLC is formed. The IRS can issue an EIN before your LLC is registered with the state, but the mismatch creates problems when you go to open a bank account or file taxes. Always form the LLC first.
Leaving line 7b blank. If you have no SSN or ITIN, write “Foreign” — don’t leave it empty. A blank line 7b is one of the most common reasons non-resident applications are rejected or delayed.
Faxing to the wrong number. There are multiple IRS fax numbers for different situations. Non-residents outside the US should fax to +1-304-707-9471. Using the domestic number for a non-resident application can cause routing issues.
Resubmitting too quickly after no response. If you’ve faxed and haven’t received a reply after 5–6 business days, it’s reasonable to follow up. But resubmitting immediately can create duplicate applications, which then need to be manually resolved and add weeks to the process.
Not signing the form. An unsigned Form SS-4 is automatically rejected. Make sure the responsible party signs and dates the form before faxing or mailing.
Thinking you need an ITIN first. You don’t. An EIN for your LLC and an ITIN for personal US tax purposes are completely separate. You can get an EIN without an ITIN, and many non-resident LLC owners never need an ITIN at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a non-US citizen get an EIN for a US LLC?
Yes. There are no citizenship or residency requirements to obtain an EIN. Non-US residents apply using Form SS-4 by phone, fax, or mail — the online application is only available to those with a US SSN or ITIN.
What is Form SS-4?
Form SS-4 is the official IRS application to request an EIN. It’s required for all non-online EIN applications. The current version is Rev. 12-2025, available at irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf.
What do I write where Form SS-4 asks for my SSN?
Write “Foreign” in line 7b. This is the IRS-accepted notation for non-US persons with no SSN or ITIN. Don’t leave it blank.
How long does it take to get an EIN as a non-resident?
By phone: the EIN is issued during the call (20–30 minutes). By fax: approximately 4 business days with a return fax number included. By mail: approximately 4 weeks, with possible delays during high-volume periods.
Do I need an ITIN to get an EIN for my LLC?
No. An ITIN is a personal tax ID for individuals with US tax obligations. An EIN is a business tax ID for your LLC. The two are separate. Many non-resident LLC owners get an EIN without ever needing an ITIN.
Bottom Line
Getting an EIN as a non-US resident takes one extra step compared to US residents — you use Form SS-4 instead of the online portal. The fastest path is the phone: call +1-267-941-1099, have your completed SS-4 ready, and walk away with your EIN in 30 minutes.
The cost is the same as for anyone else: free. The IRS charges nothing for an EIN.
If you’d rather have a formation service handle the EIN application alongside your Delaware LLC setup — so everything is done correctly and you don’t need to navigate IRS phone lines — that’s what IncReg handles from start to finish. For a full breakdown of what non-resident formation involves, see our Delaware LLC cost breakdown →
Start your Delaware LLC with IncReg →
Questions about your EIN application? [Reach out directly](https://increg.com/contact/) — you’ll hear back from someone who handles this every day.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Consult a qualified attorney or tax professional for advice specific to your situation.