Additional Stripe Set-up Resources

Stripe: Social Security Number By-Pass

Some jurisdictions don’t feel comfortable sharing personal information when setting up their Stripe account, including their Social Security Number and Date of Birth. In order to bypass entering this information, the following steps can be taken to have your account reviewed and setup using an EIN vs a SSN.

Please note, this setup method may take a few weeks to complete.

1. Contact Stripe customer support. This can be done by sending an email to nonprofit@stripe.com or starting a chat within your account. Directions on initiating chat support can be found below.
2. You will need to provide the following information to the Stripe representative on your jurisdictions letterhead in order for Stripe to process your application and determine if you are eligible to bypass the SSN requirement:

• The authorizing account owner name and title that will manage the Stripe account (this is typically a member of the finance department; could also be a building staff member in some scenarios) 
• Stripe account ID # 
• Business name
• Website URL
• Business address
• Business tax ID # 
• Stripe account owner name 
• Stripe account owner title 

A sample document can be found at this link. Please feel free to use this a reference, or copy and paste onto your own letterhead! The letterhead must be signed by a representative of the business other than the account owner. The account owner's name listed must match what is on the account. 

3. Stripe will review the provided documentation and advise if an EIN will be accepted in lieu of a SSN. If accepted, your account will be activated and your API keys will be provided within your account.  

1. On the upper right corner of your Dashboard you will see a question mark. Click the question mark.
2. Select the option “Share Feedback” (if you don’t see that option, please select: Support Articles, and then in the new window select the option: contact support 24/7).
3. A box will pop up on the bottom where you will want to select the option "Contact Support." A new window will appear.
4. In the new window, a chat window will pop up on the right side named “Stripe support." In that chat window, please select the option “My verification status."
5. You will be prompted to answer the question “Did this help solve your issue?” You will select “No."
6. You will then select the option “Contact Support Agent” and select the topic that best describes your situation, then click submit.
7. Next you will be asked to select a support option. You can select “Verification.” 
8. Once connected with a Stripe team member, you’ll let them know you are a government entity looking to verify as such and provide them the letter drafted above for review.