Delaware LLC EIN Number — Step 5 of 8
Form the LLC first. The IRS issues EINs free. Online eligibility requires a domestic entity, a U.S./territory principal place of business, the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN, and the responsible party or an authorized representative. Otherwise use the eligible Form SS-4 route below. International phone eligibility depends on the business location. Paid filing help is optional.
Form the LLC first. The IRS issues EINs free. Online eligibility requires a domestic entity, a U.S./territory principal place of business, the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN, and the responsible party or an authorized representative. Otherwise use the eligible Form SS-4 route below. International phone eligibility depends on the business location. Paid filing help is optional.
- Cost
- Free
- Online eligibility
- U.S. place + SSN/ITIN
- Form SS-4
- Fax / mail
- Issued by
- IRS
- Apply when
- After legal formation
- Foreign-owned U.S. DE
- Check 5472 rules
- Next step
- Step 6 →
What an EIN Is & Why You Need One
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify a business tax account. Whether an LLC is legally required to have one depends on its federal tax classification and activities, but many LLCs obtain one because it is needed for payroll, certain federal filings, tax elections, and commonly for business banking.
- Business banking — banks set their own account-opening rules, and many ask an LLC for an EIN along with formation and ownership documents.
- Hiring employees and handling payroll taxes.
- Filing federal taxes and, for many LLCs, electing how you're taxed.
- Business tax identification — an EIN can be used where a business TIN is appropriate, but it does not replace your SSN or ITIN for personal tax purposes.
The EIN itself is free from the IRSThe IRS does not charge an EIN application fee. A third-party service may charge for preparing or submitting the application on your behalf, so distinguish the government fee ($0) from an optional service fee.
EIN Application Method Finder
Choose a route using the business location and responsible-party identification. Citizenship alone does not determine the application method. This guide does not collect your tax ID.
Answer these location and eligibility questions. A mailing or registered-agent address alone does not establish the actual principal place of business. No tax ID numbers are collected.
A third-party designee needs signed authorization. Use one application method for the entity. These answers guide the application route; IRS approval and the need for an EIN are separate.
Current IRS Form SS-4 phone, fax and mail instructions · IRS online eligibility and availability
How to Apply, Step by Step
The IRS online tool also requires a domestic entity and the responsible party or an authorized representative. A third-party designee needs signed authorization. Identify the individual who actually controls the entity and its funds; nominees cannot be the responsible party. Government entities are the exception to the individual rule.
- Wait until the LLC is legally formed. IRS guidance says not to apply before the organization is legally formed. Use the exact legal name from the Delaware formation record.
- Online route: if the principal place of business is in the U.S. or a U.S. territory and the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN, use the IRS online tool. It must be completed in one session and can issue the EIN immediately when approved.
- Fax and mail routing: If the entity has a legal residence, principal business, office or agency in one of the 50 states or DC, fax to 855-641-6935 or mail to IRS, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. Otherwise, including a U.S. territory, fax to 855-215-1627 from within the U.S. or 304-707-9471 from outside; mail to IRS, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. These submission categories differ from online eligibility; follow the current Form SS-4 instructions. submit Form SS-4 to the fax number that matches the entity's location. The IRS says fax applications are generally returned in about 4 business days when you provide a return fax number.
- Mail route: mail Form SS-4 to the current IRS EIN Operation address. The IRS recommends allowing roughly 4–5 weeks.
- International phone route: The international phone route requires NO legal residence, principal place of business, principal office or agency in the United States or U.S. territories. An overseas principal place or foreign owner alone is insufficient. Eligible authorized callers may call 267-941-1099 (not toll-free), Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–11 p.m. Eastern time. Prepare Form SS-4 and be authorized to receive the EIN and answer its questions.
- Save the EIN assignment notice. Print or save the confirmation available at the end of an approved online session and keep it with the LLC's permanent records.
This is the right point in the LLC journey to compare business-bank options. Account requirements vary, so check the provider's current eligibility, ID, ownership, address, and document rules before applying.
Non-U.S. founders: EIN and ITIN are differentAn EIN identifies a business tax account; an ITIN identifies an individual for federal tax purposes when that person is not eligible for an SSN. Form SS-4 instructions allow an ineligible foreign responsible party to enter “foreign” or N/A on line 7b. A foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity can also have Form 5472 and pro-forma Form 1120 reporting obligations when the §6038A rules apply, so cross-border owners should review those rules separately.
- ✓The IRS issues EINs at no charge. Confirm any provider assistance fee, eligibility and required authorization.
- ✓Optional formation assistance; confirm filing scope, service pricing and government fees before ordering.
- ✓Confirm registered-agent service availability, included periods and renewal charges.
- ✓Review address-use rules and privacy policies; a service does not remove all information from public filings.
Disclosure: LLC School may earn a commission through this link, at no extra cost to you. The EIN itself remains free from the IRS; Northwest charges separately if you choose its EIN application service. Verify Northwest’s current EIN-service pricing and formation terms before ordering. See our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure.
Official IRS Sources
These primary IRS sources were used for the August 2026 verification.
- IRS — Get an Employer Identification Number
- IRS — Form SS-4 and current instructions
- IRS — Current Form SS-4 fax numbers and mailing address
- IRS — Form 5472 instructions for foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entities
IRS procedures checked August 2026The online eligibility rules, $0 government fee, one-session online tool, responsible-party TIN requirement, international phone option, current SS-4 fax numbers, approximately 4-business-day fax processing, approximately 4-week mail timing, and foreign-owned disregarded-entity reporting language were checked against current IRS guidance.
IRS Online Hours and Confirmation
For applicants who meet the online eligibility requirements, the IRS currently lists these hours in Eastern Time:
- Monday–Friday: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. the next day.
- Saturday: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 6 p.m. to midnight.
Complete the application in one session; it expires after 15 minutes of inactivity. If approved, the EIN is issued immediately online. Print the EIN confirmation letter for your records. Availability can change; check the IRS before starting. These online hours are separate from the international telephone service hours.
Check IRS online eligibility, current hours and confirmation instructions
After Your EIN: Delaware Registration Checks
Your EIN identifies the business for federal tax purposes. It does not automatically create state tax accounts, register you as an employer, or issue a business license. Use the checks below for the activities you plan to carry out.
The federal step, briefly
Form the LLC first, then apply directly to the IRS at no charge. Use the qualified responsible party and the correct business details. Online eligibility depends on the business location and responsible-party identification; follow the IRS instructions for another application method when online filing is unavailable.
IRS EIN application and eligibility Read the complete national EIN guideBusiness license and withholding
Use Delaware One Stop for the applicable business-license and withholding registrations. It provides distinct paths for licensing, hiring and an out-of-state withholding agent.
Delaware One Stop registrationHiring employees
Review Delaware Labor's employer services for unemployment liability and the separate state unemployment-insurance account number.
Delaware unemployment employer servicesBefore you register: Check the agency criteria for your sales, services, employees and locations. These links identify the relevant registration routes; not every LLC needs every account. Keep your EIN confirmation and the separate state account notices with your company records.
Delaware LLC EIN — FAQ
How much does an EIN cost?
Nothing — an EIN is free directly from the IRS. Any site charging a standalone fee just for the number is marking up a free government service. It's fine to have a formation service include it in a package, but the number itself is always free.
When should I apply for my EIN?
Apply after the Delaware LLC is legally formed. IRS guidance says not to apply before an organization is legally formed; use the exact legal name from the formation record.
Can I get an EIN without an SSN?
Yes. Use Form SS-4 by fax or mail when online filing is unavailable. On line 7b, enter foreign or N/A only if the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN and is ineligible to obtain one. The international phone route requires no legal residence, principal place of business, principal office or agency in the U.S. or U.S. territories. An overseas principal place or foreign owner alone is insufficient.
How fast will I get my EIN?
When eligible for the online tool, an approved application can receive the EIN immediately. The IRS says fax applications are generally returned in about 4 business days, while mail applications take approximately 4 weeks and the SS-4 instructions recommend applying 4–5 weeks before the EIN is needed.
Is an EIN the same as an ITIN?
No. An EIN identifies your business; an ITIN identifies an individual who isn't eligible for an SSN. You can get an EIN for your LLC without having either an SSN or ITIN.
Do foreign-owned Delaware LLCs have extra filings?
Potentially. A foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity is subject to special §6038A reporting rules and may need a Form 5472 attached to a pro-forma Form 1120 when the reporting rules apply, including reportable transactions with its foreign owner or other related parties. Cross-border owners should review Form 5472 requirements separately.
Do I need a new EIN if I change my LLC's name?
Usually a business name change alone does not require a new EIN, but whether a new EIN is required depends on the type of entity and the specific ownership or structural change. Use the IRS “Do you need a new EIN?” guidance for the actual change you are making.
Why do phone eligibility and fax or mail destinations use different location tests?
International phone eligibility requires no legal residence, principal place of business, principal office or agency in the U.S. or its territories. Fax and mail instead distinguish any such location in a state or DC from no such location in a state or DC, including territory-only cases. The sending location also determines the international fax number. Use the route picker and current IRS SS-4 instructions; foreign ownership alone does not select a route.
Ahmad Adil is the founder of LLC School. This Delaware EIN guide was rechecked in August 2026 against the IRS EIN application page, the December 2025 Form SS-4 instructions, the April 2026 SS-4 filing-address/fax guidance, and the IRS Form 5472 instructions for foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entities. This is educational information, not tax or banking advice.
About Ahmad Adil → Delaware LLC Overview →