Guide

Applying for an EIN for your LLC without an SSN

Verified on October 23, 2026 · By LLCroad

Short answer

A foreign-owned LLC gets its EIN without an SSN by sending Form SS-4 to the IRS by fax at +1 304-707-9471; the EIN usually comes back by fax in about 4 business days. You can also apply by phone on the IRS international line, +1 267-941-1099, during business hours, Eastern time.

Why the online application is not your route

The IRS online EIN application is designed for a responsible party who has an SSN or an ITIN. As a founder living abroad, you use the paper Form SS-4 instead, sent by fax or completed over the phone. The result is the same EIN, issued by the same agency.

You do not need an ITIN for this. An ITIN is a personal tax number for individuals, while the EIN belongs to the company. The difference is explained in ITIN or EIN.

Filling in Form SS-4

Legal name: exactly as it appears in the filed Articles of Organization, including “LLC”.
Mailing address: your real address, which can be outside the United States.
Responsible party: the founder who owns and controls the company. On line 7b, a founder without an SSN or ITIN writes “Foreign” or “N/A” instead of a number.
Type of entity: limited liability company, with the number of members and the state of formation.
Reason for applying: started a new business, with a short description of the activity.
Dates and activity: the date the business started and its principal activity, such as software, e-commerce or consulting.

Fax or phone: how each works

	By fax	By phone
Contact	+1 304-707-9471	+1 267-941-1099
How it works	Send the signed SS-4 and include your fax number	An IRS agent goes through the SS-4 questions with you
Answer	EIN returned by fax in about 4 business days	EIN can be assigned during the call

The fax route is the most predictable: the form is prepared calmly, and the IRS sends back the EIN confirmation to the fax number written on the form. The phone route can be faster, but it depends on waiting times, the time difference with the US East Coast and having every answer ready.

Signature rules

Signatures on Form SS-4 follow specific IRS procedures: the applicant’s signature can be waived, while a third-party designee needs a dated, handwritten signature. In practice, the person who signs should do it by hand and date it, which is why we prepare the form for you and show exactly where to sign.

What you do with the EIN

The EIN is the company’s tax number. You need it to open the US bank account, to set up Stripe and marketplaces, and to file Form 5472 with the pro forma 1120 each year. Keep the IRS confirmation letter with your company records: banks usually ask for it.

We request it for you

The EIN request is included in our formation at $489: we prepare Form SS-4 from your answers, send it by fax and forward the IRS confirmation as soon as it arrives. Everything else is included too, from the Wyoming filing to the first Form 5472. See our pricing page or start your order.