How to Register for an EIN Number as a Non-US Applicant
The IRS issues EINs; it does not register them. Non-US founders file Form SS-4 by fax at 855-215-1627 for a 4 to 7 business day EIN, or the online tool at irs.gov in 15 minutes with an SSN or ITIN.
This page maps the word "register" onto the actual IRS process. einnumber.co files the form for you within 5 business days at $67, or within 24 hours at $97.
Is EIN registration a real thing at the IRS?
No. The IRS issues EINs under 26 U.S.C. § 6109; the word "register" describes state entity formation, not IRS EIN assignment. Form SS-4 is the 1 application. The IRS returns the 9-digit EIN in 15 minutes online or 4 to 7 business days by fax.
Founders use "register" because state formation uses that verb: registering an LLC in Delaware costs $90, in Wyoming $100, in Texas $300, in Florida $125. The IRS step is different. It is 1 form, 18 fields, and a $0 IRS fee.
Who can register for an EIN?
Any entity with a legal existence. LLCs, C-corps, S-corps, partnerships, sole proprietors, trusts, estates, and nonprofits qualify. The responsible party on line 7a must be 1 person, not a company. Line 7b takes SSN, ITIN, or the word Foreign.
How do non-US founders register for an EIN?
Fill Form SS-4 with the state-approved legal name on line 1, foreign address on line 4b, responsible party name on line 7a, and the word Foreign on line 7b. Fax to 855-215-1627. The IRS returns the EIN within 4 to 7 business days.
| Line | Field | Non-US entry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Legal name | State-approved name |
| 4a/4b | Mailing address | Foreign address OK |
| 7a | Responsible party | 1 named person |
| 7b | Taxpayer ID | Foreign |
| 9a | Entity type | LLC, C-corp, etc. |
| 11 | Start date | State approval date |
Source: IRS Form SS-4 instructions, verified July 2026.
Do you need state registration before the EIN?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs to entities that legally exist. Line 1 of Form SS-4 takes the exact state-approved legal name; line 11 takes the approval date. Filing before approval gets rejected 6 to 8 weeks later. State fees: Delaware $90, Wyoming $100, Florida $125, Texas $300.
Read the state comparison at EIN in Delaware, EIN in Wyoming, or EIN in Florida. Sole proprietors with no state formation still qualify because the SSN of the owner substitutes for state approval on line 11.
What do state filing fees run before the EIN?
State fees before the EIN: Delaware $90, Wyoming $100, Florida $125, Texas $300, California $70 plus $800 minimum franchise tax. Turnaround: Wyoming 1 to 3 business days, Delaware 5 to 7 business days, Florida 5 to 10 business days, Texas 3 to 5 business days.
| State | LLC filing fee | Annual fee | Approval time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 | 1-3 days |
| Delaware | $90 | $300 franchise | 5-7 days |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 | 5-10 days |
| Texas | $300 | Franchise tax over $2,470,000 | 3-5 days |
What does it cost to register for an EIN?
The IRS charges $0 for the number, $0 for Form SS-4, and $0 for the CP-575 confirmation letter. All 4 filing methods cost $0 at the IRS: online, fax, mail, and phone. einnumber.co charges $67 Standard or $97 Fast for preparation and filing.
| Filed by | Price | IRS fee | SLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| You, online (SSN required) | $0 | $0 | 15 minutes |
| You, fax to 855-215-1627 | $0 | $0 | 4-7 business days |
| einnumber.co Standard | $67 | $0 | 12-14 business days |
| einnumber.co Fast | $97 | $0 | 6-8 business days |
How long does EIN registration take?
15 minutes online with an SSN or ITIN. 4 to 7 business days by fax. 6 to 11 weeks by mail. 1 call for international applicants at 267-941-1099. einnumber.co returns the CP-575 in 12 to 14 business days on Standard, or 6 to 8 business days on Fast.
What are the reference numbers for EIN registration?
Reference: EIN cost $0, form SS-4 has 18 fields, IRS fax 855-215-1627, mail ZIP 45999, IRS statute 26 U.S.C. § 6109. Corporate tax 21 percent, S-corp election 75 days, classification lock 60 months, self-employment tax 15.3 percent.
What confirms the EIN after registration?
The CP-575 confirmation letter. The IRS issues 1 CP-575 per EIN and prints the 9-digit EIN, the legal name from line 1, and the issue date. A lost CP-575 gets replaced by 1 147C letter on request via 267-941-1099, delivered by fax within 1 to 2 business days.
See the CP-575 confirmation letter page for the field-by-field breakdown, or the lost EIN recovery guide for the 147C route.
What else do people ask about EIN registration?
10 more questions from founders new to the IRS process. The IRS issues EINs, does not register them, and charges $0 across all 4 methods. Line 7b decides which route accepts you: SSN opens online, Foreign opens fax.
Do you register for an EIN number, or apply for one?
You apply. The IRS issues EINs under 26 U.S.C. § 6109; it does not maintain a registration list. Form SS-4 is the 1 application vehicle. The IRS charges $0 and returns a 9-digit EIN plus the CP-575 confirmation letter within 15 minutes online or 4 to 7 business days by fax.
How do non-US founders register for an EIN?
Non-US founders file Form SS-4 and enter the word Foreign on line 7b when they hold no SSN and no ITIN. The IRS accepts the form by fax at 855-215-1627 for $0. Online at irs.gov requires an SSN or ITIN. Mail to Cincinnati OH 45999 costs 6 to 11 weeks.
What does EIN registration cost?
The IRS charges $0 through all 4 filing routes: online, fax, mail, and phone. einnumber.co charges $67 for Standard filing within 5 business days, or $97 for Fast filing within 24 hours with the IRS call included. Year 2 costs $0 because an EIN never renews.
How long does EIN registration take?
Online with an SSN or ITIN: 15 minutes end to end. Fax to 855-215-1627: 4 to 7 business days. Mail to Cincinnati: 6 to 11 weeks plus postal transit. Phone via 267-941-1099: 1 call, international applicants only. einnumber.co ships the CP-575 within 12 to 14 business days on Standard.
What paperwork does EIN registration require?
Just Form SS-4, 1 signed original. 18 numbered fields cover the legal name (line 1), the mailing address (lines 4a and 4b), the responsible party (line 7a), the taxpayer ID (line 7b), the entity type (line 9a), the reason (line 10), and the start date (line 11). The IRS asks for 0 identity documents.
Do I need to register the business with the state first?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs to entities that legally exist. Line 1 of Form SS-4 takes the exact state-approved legal name. Line 11 takes the state approval date. Filing before approval gets rejected 6 to 8 weeks later by mail. Delaware LLC filing costs $90; Wyoming costs $100; Florida costs $125.
Can I register without a US business address?
Yes. Line 4b of Form SS-4 accepts a foreign mailing address including postal code and country. The IRS issues 1 EIN per entity regardless of where the address sits. Non-US applicants fax the form to 855-215-1627; US-based entities without a registered agent still list a valid mailing address on line 4a.
What confirms the EIN after registration?
The CP-575 confirmation letter. The IRS issues 1 CP-575 per EIN and prints the 9-digit EIN, the legal name from line 1, and the issue date. Online applications produce the CP-575 as a PDF at the end of the 15-minute session. Fax and mail applications return the CP-575 by return fax or return mail.
What if I lost the EIN after registration?
Request a 147C verification letter from the IRS. Call 267-941-1099 between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern, request the 147C, and receive it by fax within 1 to 2 business days or by mail within 4 to 6 weeks. The IRS never reissues the CP-575; the 147C replaces it for verification with 1 call.
Does the EIN registration expire?
No. An EIN lasts the life of the entity. Year 2 costs $0, year 5 costs $0, year 20 costs $0. The IRS issues 1 EIN per entity and reassigns 0 retired EINs. Any renewal invoice claiming to renew an existing EIN comes from a third party, not the IRS. The IRS charges $0 in every year.
Standard at $67, filed by fax within 5 business days. Fast at $97, filed within 24 hours with the IRS call.