How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN?
This article provides general information for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a qualified attorney. Laws vary by state, and individualized guidance is recommended.
Online EIN approval can be immediate, but fax and mail take longer. Compare current IRS timelines, eligibility rules, delay risks, and confirmation options.
An eligible U.S. applicant can receive an EIN immediately through the IRS online tool. Fax applications generally take about four business days, while the IRS tells mail applicants to apply four to five weeks before they need the number and says the mailed EIN usually arrives in about four weeks. International applicants who cannot use the online tool may apply by phone, fax, or mail.
EIN timing by application method
Method | IRS timing | Best fit | Important condition |
|---|---|---|---|
Online | Immediate after approval | Eligible applicants who need the EIN quickly | Principal business must be in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, and the responsible party needs an SSN or ITIN. |
Fax | Generally four business days | Applicants who cannot or do not use the online tool | Include a return fax number and use the correct IRS fax destination. |
Approximately four weeks | Applicants without a faster valid route | The IRS recommends submitting four to five weeks before the EIN is needed. | |
International phone | Assigned during the call when approved | Applicants whose principal business is outside the U.S. or its territories | Domestic applicants cannot obtain an EIN by phone. |
Online
Immediate after approval
Eligible applicants who need the EIN quickly
Principal business must be in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, and the responsible party needs an SSN or ITIN.
Fax
Generally four business days
Applicants who cannot or do not use the online tool
Include a return fax number and use the correct IRS fax destination.
Approximately four weeks
Applicants without a faster valid route
The IRS recommends submitting four to five weeks before the EIN is needed.
International phone
Assigned during the call when approved
Applicants whose principal business is outside the U.S. or its territories
Domestic applicants cannot obtain an EIN by phone.
These are IRS processing statements, not guarantees. An incomplete or inconsistent Form SS-4 can require follow-up and extend the timeline.
Which EIN route should you use?
Use the online tool when you are eligible
The online path is usually the fastest. The applicant’s principal place of business must be in the United States or a U.S. territory, and the responsible party generally must have an SSN or ITIN. The application must be completed in one session and expires after 15 minutes of inactivity.
The IRS limits issuance to one EIN per responsible party per day. The online tool also has posted operating hours rather than being continuously available.
Use fax when online filing is unavailable
Fax is the faster paper-form route. Complete Form SS-4, provide a return fax number, and use the destination that matches the entity’s location. The IRS says fax issuance is generally completed within four business days.
Use mail when time is not critical
Mail has the longest stated timeline. Use the correct address from the current Form SS-4 instructions, sign and date the form, and allow at least four to five weeks before the number is needed.
International applicants have a separate phone route
Only international applicants may obtain an EIN by telephone. Preparing Form SS-4 before the call helps the caller provide the information the IRS representative needs. Fax and mail remain available alternatives.
Form the entity before applying
If the EIN is for an LLC, partnership, corporation, or tax-exempt organization, the IRS instructs the applicant to complete state formation first. Applying before the entity exists can delay the EIN application and create legal-name or formation-date mismatches.
Have the state-approved legal name, entity type, formation date, address, reason for applying, and responsible-party information ready. If you are still choosing a business name or using a trade name, remember that Form SS-4 distinguishes the entity’s legal name from its trade name.
What actually causes avoidable delay?
- Applying before a legal entity has been formed with the state.
- Entering a legal name that does not match the formation document.
- Using the wrong entity classification or number of LLC members.
- Omitting the responsible party’s required taxpayer identification information.
- Sending more than one application method for the same entity.
- Leaving required Form SS-4 lines incomplete or using the wrong fax number or mailing address.
Preparing the current Form SS-4 first is useful even when applying online because it exposes the decisions and information the IRS will request.
When can you use the EIN?
An EIN issued online can be used immediately to file a federal return or make a payment. Save or print the assignment notice at the end of the online session; the application cannot be saved and resumed later.
Some downstream systems may not recognize a newly issued EIN immediately. That system-specific lag is different from IRS approval. Keep the confirmation notice available when opening accounts or completing onboarding.
The IRS now permits eligible users to download an EIN verification notice through Business Tax Account. An authorized caller can also request Letter 147C from the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line when verification is needed.
What to do if you are still waiting
First, do not submit a duplicate application through another method. Confirm how the original application was sent and allow the published processing period. For a mailed application, the Form SS-4 instructions direct applicants to the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line to verify the number or ask about status.
If the business needs the EIN to hire employees, for banking, or for a filing deadline, explain the pending status to the other institution and ask what temporary documentation it accepts. Do not assume a pending application extends a separate tax or regulatory deadline.
After the EIN arrives
- Save the assignment notice in the permanent entity records.
- Check the legal name, address, and responsible party for accuracy.
- Use the EIN only for the entity to which it was assigned.
- Update the IRS with Form 8822-B when the business address or responsible party changes.
- Continue the relevant business setup steps without treating the EIN as proof of state formation or licensing.
Legal.com Liability Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and is not legal or tax advice. IRS procedures and operating hours can change, and individual applications may require additional review. Check current IRS instructions or consult a qualified professional for your circumstances.