How to Get an EIN Without an SSN: 3 IRS-Approved Methods (2026 Guide)

If you’re launching a U.S. company but don’t have a Social Security number, the first thing you’ll hit is the IRS online EIN form, which asks for one. That isn’t a dead end. Knowing how to get an EIN without an SSN comes down to choosing the right application channel for your situation, and in 2026 there are three well-established routes: phone, fax, and mail, plus an online route if you hold an ITIN.

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the nine-digit federal tax ID your LLC needs to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file federal tax returns. The IRS issues it for free. Many founders who are new to the U.S. system assume they must pay a service to get one. You don’t, although a formation company such as ZenBusiness can handle the state filing and paperwork around it while you sort out your tax ID. If you haven’t formed your company yet, our guide to what an LLC is is a good starting point.

This guide walks through each method, the exact wording to use on the form, realistic timelines, and the mistakes that cause delays. Nothing here replaces advice from a tax professional, but it will get you to the right door.

Can You Really Get an EIN Without an SSN?

Yes. The IRS does not require an SSN to issue an EIN. What it requires is a “responsible party,” the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity. The IRS online application asks that person for an SSN or an ITIN. If they have neither, the online tool is closed to them, but the IRS keeps separate channels open for applicants in exactly that position.

Here is the practical breakdown:

Your situation	Best route	Typical timing
Non-U.S. resident, no SSN or ITIN	Phone (international line)	Same call
No SSN or ITIN, phone isn’t practical	Fax Form SS-4	About 4 business days
No SSN or ITIN, no rush	Mail Form SS-4	Roughly 4 to 6 weeks
U.S. resident or foreign owner holding an ITIN	Online application	Immediate
Any of the above, with professional help	Third-party designee	Varies

The timelines above reflect IRS guidance on its EIN pages at IRS.gov. Processing times can shift, so check the current figures before you commit to a launch date.

Method 1: Apply by Phone (Fastest for Non-U.S. Applicants)

For an EIN for a foreign LLC owner, the phone is usually the quickest option. The IRS operates an international number, 267-941-1099, which is not toll-free. It is staffed Monday through Friday, generally from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time. Confirm the current number and hours on IRS.gov before dialing.

Before you call, complete a Form SS-4 so you can read your answers to the agent. The agent will go through the form with you and, if everything checks out, give you the EIN verbally. The IRS then mails a confirmation letter (Notice CP 575) to the address you provided.

Tips from people who have done this:

Call early in the Eastern-time day. Hold times are shorter and you avoid time-zone confusion.
Have your LLC’s formation date and state ready. The agent will ask when the LLC was formed and where. Form the LLC first. Applying for an EIN before the entity legally exists is one of the most common reasons applications get rejected.
Use a mailing address you can actually receive mail at. International addresses are accepted, but a delayed confirmation letter can stall bank onboarding.

In my experience, the phone route is where first-time applicants feel most nervous and least need to be. The agents handle foreign applicants every day, and a completed SS-4 in front of you makes the call take 10 to 20 minutes.

Method 2: Fax or Mail Form SS-4

If a phone call is impractical because of time zones, language, or connection quality, you can send Form SS-4 by fax or by mail.

Filling Out Form SS-4 Without an SSN

Form SS-4 is a one-page form, but a few lines trip up non-SSN applicants:

Line 7b (SSN, ITIN, or EIN of the responsible party): If you have none, write “Foreign” if you’re a non-U.S. person without a U.S. taxpayer ID. Some applicants use “N/A.” The IRS instructions for Form SS-4 explain the accepted entries, so check the current version.
Line 1 (Legal name): This must match your Articles of Organization exactly, including “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
Line 8a to 8c (Is this an LLC? Number of members): Check “Yes” and enter the number of members. For a single-member LLC, enter “1.”
Line 9a (Type of entity): A single-member LLC is typically a disregarded entity and is commonly reported as “Other” with a note, or as sole proprietor, depending on the IRS instructions. A multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership checks “Partnership.” Review the form instructions, because the wrong box changes how the IRS sets up your account.
Line 18 (Has the applicant previously applied for an EIN?): Answer honestly. Duplicate applications create real headaches.
Signature: The responsible party signs. If a third-party designee files for you, you also complete the designee section.

Where to Send It

Per IRS guidance, international applicants can fax the completed form to the IRS’s international EIN fax line, with responses typically returned in about four business days if you include a return fax number. By mail, you send the form to the IRS EIN International Operation in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the wait is considerably longer, often four to six weeks. Verify the current fax number and mailing address on the IRS EIN page before sending anything, as I’ve seen outdated numbers copied across blogs.

Method 3: Use an ITIN for the Online Application

If you hold an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, you can use it in place of an SSN. The IRS online EIN application accepts an ITIN for the responsible party, and the EIN is issued immediately at the end of the session. For many owners, an EIN with ITIN is the smoothest path by far.

The catch is that getting the ITIN is its own process. It requires Form W-7 and identity documents, usually a passport, and the IRS generally expects an ITIN applicant to have a federal tax purpose, such as filing a return. The exact documentation rules have specific exceptions, so read our walkthrough on how to get an ITIN as a foreign LLC owner before assuming it saves you time. If you only need an EIN to open an account, the phone or fax route is typically faster than obtaining an ITIN first.

Should You Hire Someone to Get the EIN for You?

You can authorize a third party to apply on your behalf by naming them as a designee on Form SS-4. Some formation providers and registered agents offer this. A few things worth knowing:

Many services bundle EIN assistance into paid tiers. ZenBusiness lists its formation packages starting at $0 plus state fees, with higher tiers adding extras. Whether a given tier will file for an applicant who has no SSN or ITIN can differ from plan to plan, so ask support before purchasing.
LegalZoom also offers EIN assistance as an add-on. Pricing changes frequently, so confirm on their site. Our ZenBusiness vs LegalZoom comparison breaks down what each includes.
Be cautious with any third-party site that charges to “get” an EIN but is not an IRS-authorized channel. The IRS itself issues the number for free, and lookalike websites are common.

My rule of thumb: pay for convenience, never for access. If a provider says it is the only way to obtain an EIN, walk away. You can compare the options in our best LLC services guide to see which providers are worth considering for the formation step itself.

Step-by-Step: A Worked Example

Consider a hypothetical founder, Marco, a software consultant living in Lisbon who wants to form a Wyoming LLC for U.S. clients in 2026. Marco has no SSN and no ITIN.

Form the LLC. Marco files the Articles of Organization through a formation service. ZenBusiness is a reasonable option for this step. He receives the filed documents.
Complete Form SS-4. He enters his LLC’s exact name, lists himself as the single member and responsible party, and writes “Foreign” on line 7b.
Call the IRS international line. With the form in hand, he calls during the U.S. morning, and the agent issues the EIN on the call.
Record the number. He writes the EIN down, stores it securely, and waits for the CP 575 confirmation letter.
Open a bank account and handle compliance. He uses the EIN and the confirmation letter to open a business account. He also reads up on the annual filings that apply to foreign-owned single-member LLCs.

Marco’s total IRS cost: $0.

What Happens After You Have the EIN

Getting the number is the start of your tax obligations, not the end. Two areas catch foreign-owned LLCs off guard.

Form 5472. A foreign-owned single-member LLC is generally treated as a “reporting corporation” for certain IRS reporting purposes and must file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 when it has reportable transactions with its owner. The penalty for failing to file is $25,000 per form, per the IRS. Our Form 5472 filing guide explains the details.

Beneficial ownership reporting. FinCEN’s rules changed significantly in 2025, when an interim final rule removed the requirement for U.S.-formed companies and their owners, while foreign companies registered to do business in the U.S. remained covered. Because rules like this continue to evolve, check FinCEN’s BOI page and our BOI report guide for the current status in 2026.

Also plan for state-level costs and a registered agent. Every LLC needs a U.S. address for service of process, which matters even more if you live abroad. See what a registered agent is for how that works.

Common Mistakes That Delay Your EIN

After watching enough founders go through this, the same problems keep showing up:

Applying before the LLC exists. The IRS wants a legally formed entity.
Name mismatches. “Acme Consulting LLC” on the SS-4 and “Acme Consulting, LLC” on the state filing can raise flags.
Wrong entity type. Choosing the wrong box affects how your LLC is set up for tax. If you’re unsure how your LLC will be taxed, review LLC vs S-Corp and how LLCs are taxed.
Duplicate applications. Applying twice after a slow response can create two EINs for one entity.
Skipping the follow-up. If you don’t receive the CP 575 letter, request a copy. Banks often ask for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?

Yes. Non-U.S. applicants without either number can apply by phone, fax, or mail using Form SS-4. The online application is not available without an SSN or ITIN for the responsible party.

How long does it take to get an EIN without an SSN?

By phone, you can receive the EIN during the call. By fax, expect roughly four business days. By mail, expect around four to six weeks. These are IRS-published estimates and may change, so verify before relying on them.

Do I need an ITIN to get an EIN?

No. An ITIN makes the online application available to you, but it isn’t required. Many foreign LLC owners get an EIN through the phone or fax process without ever obtaining an ITIN.

How much does it cost to get an EIN without an SSN?

Nothing when you apply directly with the IRS. You only pay if you choose to use a third-party service or professional to assist you.

What do I write on Form SS-4 if I don’t have an SSN?

On line 7b, the instructions direct non-U.S. applicants without a U.S. taxpayer ID to enter “Foreign.” Always check the latest Form SS-4 instructions on IRS.gov for the accepted wording.

Can a non-U.S. resident own a U.S. LLC and get an EIN?

Generally yes. Non-residents can own U.S. LLCs, and our guide on whether a foreigner can own an LLC in the US covers the rules. You’ll still need to follow the tax filing requirements that apply to foreign-owned entities.

Will I need an EIN for my bank account?

Most U.S. banks require one to open an LLC business account, along with your Articles of Organization and operating agreement. Some banks have extra requirements for non-resident owners, so ask before you apply.

What if I lose my EIN confirmation letter?

You can request a replacement of your EIN confirmation by contacting the IRS. Keep a secure copy of the original to avoid delays opening accounts.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need an SSN to obtain an EIN. For non-U.S. owners, the phone route is typically the quickest, fax is a solid backup, and mail works if time isn’t pressing. If you hold an ITIN, the online form is the simplest option. Whichever you choose, form your LLC first, complete Form SS-4 carefully, and keep a record of everything.

If you still need to set up the company itself, ZenBusiness is the option I’d look at first for a straightforward, budget-conscious formation, with LegalZoom as a solid second choice. For a broader look, see our best LLC formation services ranking, and our free EIN IRS method guide for the standard online process.

The author name used in this article may be a pen name or pseudonym and is used for illustrative and editorial purposes only. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. Consult qualified professionals before making financial decisions.