Stripe Under Review Document Checklist: Complete 2026 Guide#

Seeing "Your account is under review" in your Stripe dashboard? Don't panic. Thousands of businesses face Stripe reviews each month, and 78% of accounts are verified within 14 days when they submit complete, accurate documentation.

In this guide, you'll get the complete Stripe under review document checklist for 2026, organized by verification type, with specific requirements for each document. Use our Document Checklist Tool to generate your customized list.

For a complete guide on handling Stripe reviews, see our Stripe Under Review: What to Do.

What is a Stripe Document Checklist?#

A Stripe Document Checklist is your comprehensive list of all documents Stripe requires to verify your business identity, processing activity, and compliance with financial regulations. Stripe's compliance team reviews documents to prevent fraud and ensure regulatory compliance.

Why it matters: Stripe processes billions in payments annually. They must verify every business to prevent money laundering, fraud, and illegal transactions. Incomplete documentation = delayed verification or account termination.

Key insight: Different business types require different documents. Sole proprietors need different documents than corporations. International businesses have additional requirements.

Stripe Document Checklist by Business Type#

1. Sole Proprietors / Individuals#

Required Documents:

• ✅ Government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, national ID)
• ✅ Proof of identity (selfie holding ID, sometimes requested)
• ✅ Tax ID or Social Security Number (SSN)
• ✅ Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement)
• ✅ Business license (if operating under a DBA/name other than legal name)
• ✅ Processing history explanation (what you sell, how you fulfill orders)

Document Requirements:

• ID must be valid (not expired)
• Photo must be clear and legible
• Address proof must show your full name and current address
• Documents must be in English or have certified translation

2. Limited Liability Company (LLC)#

Required Documents:

• ✅ Government-issued ID for all owners (25%+ ownership)
• ✅ Articles of Organization (Certificate of Formation)
• ✅ Operating Agreement (showing ownership structure)
• ✅ EIN Confirmation Letter (or tax ID verification)
• ✅ Business license (if required by state/local)
• ✅ Proof of business address (utility bill, lease, bank statement)
• ✅ Processing volume documentation (merchant statements, transaction history)

Document Requirements:

• Articles of Organization must be state-issued
• Operating Agreement must list ALL owners with ownership percentages
• EIN letter must be from IRS (not just the number)
• All owner IDs required for anyone with 25%+ ownership

3. Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)#

Required Documents:

• ✅ Government-issued ID for all owners and controllers (25%+ ownership)
• ✅ Articles of Incorporation (Certificate of Incorporation)
• ✅ Bylaws (showing ownership and control structure)
• ✅ EIN Confirmation Letter
• ✅ Business license (if applicable)
• ✅ Stock ledger or ownership certificate (showing share distribution)
• ✅ Proof of business address
• ✅ Processing documentation (merchant statements, tax returns)

Document Requirements:

• Articles of Incorporation from state of incorporation
• Bylaws must name all officers and directors
• Stock ledger must show current ownership distribution
• All controllers (CEO, CFO, etc.) must provide ID regardless of ownership

4. Partnership#

Required Documents:

• ✅ Government-issued ID for ALL partners
• ✅ Partnership Agreement
• ✅ EIN Confirmation Letter
• ✅ Business license
• ✅ Proof of business address
• ✅ Processing documentation
• ✅ Fictitious Business Name filing (if operating under DBA)

Document Requirements:

• Partnership Agreement must list ALL partners
• All partners must provide ID (no minimum ownership threshold)
• Partnership Agreement must show profit/loss distribution

5. Non-Profit Organization#

Required Documents:

• ✅ Government-issued ID for executive director and board members
• ✅ IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter
• ✅ Articles of Incorporation (for non-profit)
• ✅ Bylaws
• ✅ EIN Confirmation Letter
• ✅ Board of Directors roster
• ✅ Proof of business address
• ✅ Donation processing documentation (if applicable)

Document Requirements:

• 501(c)(3) letter must be current and from IRS
• Board roster must show all current board members
• All board officers must provide ID

Document Quality Standards: What Stripe Accepts#

✅ ACCEPTABLE Documents:#

• Color photos or high-resolution scans (not black and white)
• Original documents or certified copies
• Current, valid IDs (not expired)
• Documents in English or with certified translation
• Complete documents (no information cut off)
• PDF format preferred (not Word docs or images)

❌ REJECTED Documents:#

• Screenshots or photos of documents (use actual scans)
• Black and white copies of IDs
• Expired identification
• Documents with missing information
• Altered or edited documents
• Proforma or temporary documents
• Google Docs links or cloud storage links

Stripe-Specific Document Requirements#

Business Identity Documents#

1. Articles of Incorporation / Organization

• Must be state-issued
• Must show business name and formation date
• Must be current (not amended versions unless necessary)

2. EIN Confirmation Letter

• Must be from IRS (not just the EIN number)
• Must show full legal business name
• Must show business address

3. Business License

• Required for certain industries (financial services, healthcare, etc.)
• Must be issued by state or local government
• Must be current (not expired)

Personal Identification Documents#

1. Passport

• Preferred for international businesses
• Must show photo page clearly
• Must not be expired

2. Driver's License

• Acceptable for US businesses
• Must be current state-issued license
• Must show photo clearly
• Temporary licenses NOT accepted

3. National ID Card

• Government-issued only
• Must have photo and signature
• Must not be expired

Proof of Address Documents#

1. Utility Bill

• Electric, water, gas, or internet bill
• Must be in your name or business name
• Must be dated within last 3 months
• Must show full address

2. Bank Statement

• Must be from recognized financial institution
• Must show your full name and address
• Must be dated within last 3 months
• Must show bank logo and letterhead

3. Lease Agreement

• Must be signed by landlord and tenant
• Must show full property address
• Must be current (not expired lease)

Processing Activity Documentation#

1. Merchant Statements

• From previous payment processors (if applicable)
• Show processing volume and chargeback rates
• Must cover last 3-6 months

2. Tax Returns

• Business tax returns (most recent year)
• Show business revenue and processing activity
• Must include all schedules

3. Invoice Samples

• Representative invoices from your business
• Show what you sell and pricing
• Must include business logo and contact information

How to Prepare Your Documents#

Step 1: Identify Required Documents#

• Use our Document Checklist Tool to generate your custom list
• Check your Stripe dashboard for specific document requests
• Review your email for document requests from Stripe

Step 2: Gather Your Documents#

• Collect IDs from all owners and controllers
• Download business formation documents from state portal
• Request EIN confirmation letter from IRS (if lost)
• Gather recent utility bills and bank statements

Step 3: Prepare Digital Copies#

• Scan documents in high resolution (300 DPI minimum)
• Save as PDFs (preferred format)
• Name files clearly: "passport_johnsmith.pdf", "articles_inc.pdf"
• Ensure all text is legible

Step 4: Upload to Stripe#

• Log into your Stripe dashboard
• Go to Settings → Verification
• Upload each document to the correct category
• Add notes if clarification needed (optional)

Step 5: Follow Up#

• Wait for Stripe review (typically 3-7 business days)
• Check email for additional document requests
• Respond quickly to any follow-up requests

Common Document Mistakes That Cause Delays#

❌ Mistake 1: Uploading Black and White ID Copies#

Why it fails: Stripe requires color copies to verify security features Solution: Upload color scans or high-quality color photos

❌ Mistake 2: Using Expired Identification#

Why it fails: Stripe cannot verify expired documents Solution: Use current, valid IDs only

❌ Mistake 3: Missing Owner Information#

Why it fails: Stripe needs ID from ALL owners with 25%+ ownership Solution: Identify ALL owners and gather IDs from each

❌ Mistake 4: Submitting Proforma Documents#

Why it fails: Proforma invoices, temporary licenses, or placeholder documents are rejected Solution: Only submit final, official documents

❌ Mistake 5: Poor Quality Scans#

Why it fails: Illegible documents delay verification Solution: Use proper scanner or scanning app, ensure good lighting

Document Checklist Tool: How It Works#

Our Document Checklist Tool generates a customized checklist based on your business type and verification requirements. Here's how to use it:

1. Select Your Business Type: Sole proprietor, LLC, Corporation, Partnership, Non-profit
2. Select Your Platform: Stripe (or PayPal, Wise, Square for comparison)
3. Generate Your Checklist: Get a complete list of required documents
4. Download and Print: Use as you gather your documentation
5. Track Progress: Check off documents as you collect them

Benefits:

• Business-specific requirements (not generic lists)
• Platform-specific standards (Stripe vs. PayPal vs. Square)
• Priority marking (know which documents are MOST important)
• Common mistakes alerts (avoid delay-causing errors)

Expert Tips for Faster Verification#

✅ Tip 1: Submit All Documents at Once#

Don't submit piecemeal. Gather all required documents before submitting. Partial submissions delay the process.

✅ Tip 2: Use High-Quality Scans#

300 DPI minimum. Poor quality scans lead to rejection and re-upload requirements.

✅ Tip 3: Include All Owners and Controllers#

Even minor owners. Stripe requires ID from anyone with 25%+ ownership AND all controllers (officers, directors).

✅ Tip 4: Respond Immediately to Follow-Up Requests#

Speed matters. When Stripe requests additional documents, respond within 24 hours.

✅ Tip 5: Use Professional Translations#

For non-English documents. Certified translations only—no machine translation.

Platform Comparison: Stripe vs. PayPal vs. Square#

Use our Platform Comparison Tool to see detailed comparisons.

Timeline: How Long Does Verification Take?#

Document Processing Timeframes:

• Initial review: 3-5 business days
• Additional document requests: 2-3 business days
• Final verification: 1-2 business days

Total time: 7-14 business days for most accounts (assuming complete documentation)

Expedited processing: Available for businesses with urgent processing needs (contact Stripe support)

Pro tip: Submit all documents at once, not piecemeal. Partial submissions extend the timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Can I use a temporary driver's license?#

No. Stripe requires current, valid IDs. Temporary licenses, even with photos, are not accepted.

What if I'm a foreign business without a US address?#

Submit business documents from your country. Stripe accepts international business documents. Use certified translation for non-English documents.

Do I need to submit documents for all owners?#

Yes, for owners with 25%+ ownership. Also, all controllers (officers, directors) must submit ID regardless of ownership percentage.

How recent must my proof of address be?#

Within the last 3 months. Utility bills, bank statements, or lease agreements must be dated within 90 days.

Can I use a PO Box for my business address?#

No. Stripe requires a physical street address. PO Boxes are not accepted as business addresses.

What if I can't find my EIN confirmation letter?#

Request a new one from the IRS. Call the IRS business line or visit IRS.gov to request a 147C letter (EIN verification).

Does Stripe verify documents for all accounts?#

Yes, for most accounts. Stripe verifies all new accounts and periodically re-verifies existing accounts (especially high-volume or high-risk businesses).

Related Resources#

• Stripe Under Review: What to Do (Complete Guide) - Full guide on handling reviews
• Stripe Account Suspended Guide - What to do if account is suspended
• Payment Gateway Comparison: Stripe vs. PayPal - Compare payment processors
• Document Checklist Tool - Generate your custom checklist
• Platform Comparison Tool - Compare Stripe vs. PayPal vs. Square

Need help preparing your Stripe verification documents? Use our Document Checklist Tool to ensure you have everything required.

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