So I opened a business checking account online last week. Got an email from the bank today saying they need a "certified copy" of my LLC formation documents. I have the stamped Articles of Organization from the state when I formed it back in 2019. Isn't that already certified? Or do I have to order some special copy from the Secretary of State? Anybody dealt with this?
Banking
My bank wants a certified copy of my LLC formation documents
The stamped one from the state is usually what they mean. Banks just call it certified because it has the state seal/stamp. Unless your state sent you a plain copy.
lol banks. They won't accept the piece of paper the state literally mailed you but will accept... the exact same piece of paper if you order it again for $25.
What state? In some states the online printout isn't stamped at all and you have to request a certified copy. That tripped me up when I moved my LLC.
I'm in Ohio if that helps. The copy I have definitely has a stamp and a signature from the filing office.
Call the bank and ask them to be specific about what tthey'll accept. Half the time the person emailing you is copying a checklist and doesn't even know what the doc looks like.
This. I spent two weeks ordering certified copies before someone at the branch told me a scanned copy of my original stamped articles was fine. I wanted to scream.
Also check if they want the operating agreement too. Sometimes "formation documents" is shorthand for the whole packet and the articles alone won't clear it.
If your state offers it, just order the certified certified copy online. It's usually cheap and faster than arguing with a bank rep who won't budge. Keep the original safe at home.
Seconding the operating agreement point. My bank wanted articles AND the operating agreement with signatures. The articles alone sat in limbo for a week.
Thanks all. I'll dig out the operating agreement too and just call them before ordering anything. Appreciate the sanity check.
And if they still give you trouble, ask to speak to whoever actually reviews the docs, not the front-line person reading the checklist.
Slightly off topic but why do banks need this at all? They can look up your LLC status on the state website in like ten seconds.
Compliance theater, mostly. Also thee state site doesn't always show who's authorized to open accounts, so they want paper with names on it.
Welcome to business banking, where you prove your company exists to a company that already has your EIN, your address, and your firstborn's shoe size.
Honestly the certified copy thing is the easy part. Wait until they freeze the account for "periodic review" six months in.
One thing I'd add: make scans of everything you send them. If a doc goes missing on their end, you don't want to be re-ordering from the state again.