EIN / SS-4
Can a Foreign Founder Get a U.S. EIN Without an SSN?
IRS-based explanation of Form SS-4, responsible-party rules and international application methods.
Resources
U.S. Business Readiness Guides
Source-led guidance for foreign founders and higher-scrutiny businesses preparing for banking, payment processing, MSB/AML/KYC, compliance and regulatory review.
How to use these resources
Research first, then decide what actually needs coordination
These guides answer narrow, high-intent buyer questions with primary or provider sources wherever practical. They separate readiness coordination from decisions that belong to regulators, banks, payment providers, attorneys, CPAs and compliance professionals.
Founder guides
High-intent readiness topics
Bank readiness
What Banks May Need From a Foreign-Owned U.S. Company
Beneficial owners, customer identification, business purpose, expected activity and a practical bank-readiness file.
MSB / licensing
FinCEN MSB Registration vs State Money-Transmitter Licensing
Why federal registration and state licensing are different compliance layers and why one does not replace the other.
AML / KYC
AML/KYC Readiness Checklist Before a U.S. Launch
Risk assessment, onboarding, sanctions, monitoring, records, governance and professional handoff.
Payments
Payment Processor Readiness for Foreign Founders
Entity, owner, bank, website and business-model evidence to prepare before provider underwriting.
Cost / scope
Legalize vs Formation Apps & Professional Firms
A source-linked comparison explaining when a low-cost filing tool is enough and why difficult launch-readiness coordination costs more.
High-risk playbooks
Crypto, forex and iGaming founders: start here
Step-by-step guides for high-risk businesses entering the U.S., from entity formation to banking, MSB eligibility and AML/KYC.
Commercial readiness
Need more than a guide?
Legalize coordinates readiness workflows for foreign founders, bank and payment readiness, MSB assessment, AML/KYC preparation and difficult U.S. launches. Legalize is not a law firm, CPA firm, bank, payment processor or licensing authority and does not guarantee third-party outcomes.