# Many banks require corporations to provide their articles of incorporation, also known as a certificate of incorporation. All states require incorporated businesses to file articles of incorporation with the state where the corporation operates, as a condition of operating under a corporate structure. Articles of incorporation contain information such as the name and physical location of the business. Corporations may obtain copies of their articles of incorporation from the secretary of state’s office in the state where the corporation was formed.
Federal Tax ID Number
# Banks require corporations to provide a federal tax ID number. Corporations may obtain a federal tax ID number from the IRS, free of charge. In the same way that a Social Security number identifies a person, a federal tax ID number acts to identify a business. The IRS allows corporations to apply for a federal tax ID number by phone, fax, online or mail.
Corporate Resolution
# A corporate resolution appears as a requirement for businesses to open a corporate checking account. The corporate resolution must clearly indicate the individuals who are authorized to sign for banking transactions on behalf of the company. In some instances, a corporate resolution may not be necessary to establish a corporate checking account if the names of the corporation’s officers appear in the articles of incorporation. This requirement varies depending on the banking institution.
Identification
# Individuals authorized to act on the corporation’s behalf must present photo identification. This will allow the bank to verify the identity of all parties authorized to make transactions on the corporation’s account. Authorized users of a corporate checking account must present a passport, driver’s license or state ID to confirm their identity.
Source:E-How
