What documents are required to set up my business or trust account?

Businesses, trusts, nonprofits, and other entities must provide specific legal documentation.

Unchained's trust and legal entity accounts provide the best solution for teams looking to access our growing suite of financial services while retaining self-custody of their bitcoin treasury.

Before creating your account, you'll need to have some documents handy. Depending on the type of entity, you'll need:

For Sole Proprietorships

1. Proof of Business Address, such as an electric bill or bank statement.
2. If the Sole Proprietor desires the account be titled in a fictitious business name or DBA, please provide one of the following: 
   • Fictitious Name Certificate
   • Certificate of Trade Name

For trusts

1. You must know the trust name, execution date, grantor information, and whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable. You do not need to upload the original trust agreement.
2. Employer Identification Information (EIN), if applicable. If no EIN exists, please provide the SSN or Tax ID number of the grantor or other applicable party.
3. In place of the proof of address field, please provide one of the following:
   • IRS EIN Confirmation Letter
   • Certificate of Trust
   • Power of Attorney
   • Unchained Trust Certification Form
4. The following information for all trustee(s):
   • Full Legal Name
   • Date of birth
   • SSN
   • Address
   • Email address

1. • Photo ID

For Limited Partnerships (Including LP, LLP, and LLLP)

1. One of the following organizing documents. The name will vary by the state the business was formed in as well as the type of entity:
   • Partnership Agreement
   • Certificate of Limited Partnership
   • Certificate of Limited Liability Partnership
   • Certificate of Limited Liability Limited Partnership
     
     
2. Proof of Business Address, such as an electric bill or bank statement.
3. If the entity does business under a name other than the name on its organizational documents, please provide one of the following:
   • Fictitious Name Certificate
   • Certificate of Trade Name
   • Trade Name Certificate
   • Certificate of Assumed Business Name
   • Registration and License with Trade Name (sometimes called an Occupational License
4. The following information for individuals with greater than 20% equity ownership in the entity:
   • Full Legal Name
   • Address
   • Email address
   • Phone number
   • Photo ID

General Partnership (GP)

1. Partnership Agreement
2. Proof of Business Address, such as an electric bill or bank statement.
3. If the GP operates under a name other than the name of the individual partners, please provide one of the following: 
   • IRS Letter CP575 or 147C or similar (commonly known as "EIN Letter") showing the partnership name
   • Fictitious Name Certificate
   • Certificate of Trade Name
   • Trade Name Certificate
   • Certificate of Assumed Business Name
   • Registration and License with Trade Name (sometimes called an Occupational License)
4. The following information for individuals with greater than 20% equity ownership in the entity:
   • Full Legal Name
   • Address
   • Email
   • Phone
   • Photo ID
     
     

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

1. One of the following organizing documents. The name will vary by state the business was formed in:
   • Articles of Organization
   • Operating Agreement
   • Certificate of Organization
   • Certificate of Formation
2. Proof of Business Address, such as an electric bill or bank statement.
3. If the entity does business under a name other than the name on its organizational documents, please provide one of the following:
   • Fictitious Name Certificate

   • Certificate of Trade Name

   • Trade Name Certificate

   • Certificate of Assumed Business Name

   • Registration and License with Trade Name (sometimes called an Occupational License)

4. The following information for individuals with greater than 20% equity ownership in the entity:
   • Full Legal Name
   • Address
   • Email
   • Phone
   • Photo ID

Corporation (Inc.)

1. One of the following organizing documents. The name will vary by the state the business was formed in:
   • Articles of Incorporation
   • Articles of Organization
   • Certificate of Incorporation
   • Certificate of Formation
   • Corporate Charter
2. If the entity does business under a name other than the name on its organizational documents, please provide one of the following:
   • Fictitious Name Certificate
   • Certificate of Trade Name
   • Trade Name Certificate
   • Certificate of Assumed Business Name
   • Registration and License with Trade Name (sometimes called an Occupational License)
3. Proof of Business Address, such as an electric bill or bank statement.
4. The following information for individuals with greater than 20% equity ownership in the entity:
   • Full Legal Name
   • Address
   • Email
   • Phone
   • Photo ID
     
     

Charities and Nonprofits

1. One of the following organizing documents. The name will vary by the state the entity was formed in:
   • Articles of Organization
   • Articles of Incorporation
   • Certificate of Formation
2. Proof of Business Address, such as an electric bill or bank statement.
3. The following information for a minimum of two current board members or officers:
   • Full Legal Name
   • Address
   • Email
   • Phone
   • Photo ID

Checkbook IRA Owned LLC or Trust

1. One of the following organizing documents.
   • Articles of Organization
   • Certification of Trust
   • Trust Agreement
2. Employer Identification Information (EIN). This should be a separate EIN obtained for the IRA itself; it is separate from the EIN of the grantor. 
3. In place of the proof of address field, please provide one of the following:
   • IRS Letter CP575 or 147C or similar (commonly known as "EIN Letter") showing the partnership name
   • Certificate of Trust or Articles of Organization
   • Unchained Checkbook IRA Disclaimer
4. The following information for each trustee (if a trust) or Manager (if an LLC):
   • Full Legal Name
   • Address
   • Email
   • Phone
   • Photo ID

Solo or self-directed 401(k)

1. One of the following organizing documents:
   • Signed Solo 401k Plan Adoption Agreement, often called the 401(k) Plan Document
   • Signed 401(k) Trust Agreement
2. Employer Identification Number (EIN). This should be a separate EIN obtained for the 401(k) plan itself; it is separate from both your business EIN and your SSN.
3. In place of the proof of address field, please provide One of the following:
   • IRS Letter CP575
   • IRS Letter 147C 
   • A similar letter (commonly known as the "EIN Letter") showing the 401(k) plan's EIN
4. The following information for each plan trustee
   • Full Legal Name
   • Address
   • Email
   • Phone
   • Photo ID