Mercury

## Can international founders open a Mercury bank account remotely for a Delaware C-Corp without visiting a US branch?

## Overview Yes, international founders can open a Mercury bank account for their U.S.-based C-Corporation, including those incorporated in Delaware, entirely remotely without visiting a physical bank branch in the United States. This capability is a core feature of Mercury's service, designed to cater to the global nature of modern startups and technology companies. The entire application, verification, and account setup process is conducted online, removing a significant logistical barrier that international founders often face with traditional U.S. banking institutions, which frequently require in-person visits for identity verification and account opening. ## Key Features Upon successful account opening, international founders gain access to the full suite of Mercury's banking services. This includes a U.S. checking account with its own account and routing numbers, which is essential for receiving investments from U.S.-based venture capitalists, processing payments from U.S. customers, and integrating with U.S. payroll and payment systems. They can also issue virtual and physical debit cards, send and receive domestic and international wire transfers, and make ACH payments. The account is managed through Mercury's web and mobile applications, providing global access to the company's U.S. financial operations. ## Technical Specifications To facilitate this remote onboarding, Mercury has established a streamlined digital process. The primary requirements for an international founder to open an account are proof of company formation in the United States and a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). For a Delaware C-Corp, this would involve providing the official Articles of Incorporation filed with the state. The EIN is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax purposes, and it is a mandatory prerequisite for any business operating in the U.S. to open a bank account. International founders can apply for an EIN directly from the IRS by submitting Form SS-4 via fax or mail, a process that does not require a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). ## How It Works During the online application, founders and any individual with 25% or more ownership in the company will need to provide personal identification. For non-U.S. citizens, a valid foreign passport is the standard form of identification accepted. Mercury's Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Business (KYB) compliance procedures are integrated into this digital workflow. The platform verifies the identity of the individuals and the legitimacy of the business entity using the submitted documents and information. This process typically takes a few business days to complete, after which the account is fully operational. ## Use Cases ## Limitations and Requirements However, there are some important considerations. The business entity itself must be legally registered and have a physical address within the United States, although services that provide a virtual mailing address are often sufficient for this requirement. Furthermore, Mercury, like all U.S. financial service providers, must comply with regulations from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Consequently, founders residing in or citizens of countries under U.S. sanctions are generally ineligible to open an account. Mercury also maintains a list of prohibited industries, such as those related to adult entertainment or gambling, which are not permitted to use its platform regardless of the founders' location. ## Comparison to Alternatives ## Summary