How long does company formation take and when will I get my EIN?

Formation and EIN timing depends on your state, the IRS, and the time of year. You can follow each step, with an estimated completion date, in the progress tracker on the main page of your doola dashboard. ## State formation timing Once we submit your formation, the state has to approve it before your LLC or C-Corp legally exists. Each state processes filings at its own speed, and processing can take longer during busy periods such as year-end and tax season. Some states offer faster processing for an additional state fee. Your company is officially formed once the state issues your Articles of Organization or Certificate of Incorporation. ## EIN timing Once your company is formed and you've signed the SS-4 form, doola applies for your EIN with the IRS. EIN timing depends on: - Whether you have a US Social Security Number. Applications with an SSN are usually processed faster. - Whether your application needs manual review by the IRS. This applies to most non-US residents and to companies with more complex ownership structures. - The EIN service included in your plan. Applications without an SSN are sent to the IRS by fax, and the IRS doesn't send a confirmation of receipt. The first confirmation is the EIN letter itself. ## Why it can take longer than expected - IRS staffing shortages and seasonal backlogs, especially for applications that need manual review. - Extra verification requests from the IRS or the state, for example to confirm a name or address. Your application pauses until the request is resolved. - The IRS year-end slowdown, from late December through early January. - Missing or unclear information in your application, which leads to manual processing. ## Once your EIN is issued When we receive your EIN letter from the IRS, we upload it to your dashboard and let you know. If you need proof of your EIN before then, you can request IRS Letter 147C directly from the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line after verifying your identity. ## If it's been longer than expected Formation or EIN taking longer than the estimate in your progress tracker? Click the chat button in the bottom-right corner of this page or email us at hello@doola.com with your company name, and we'll check the status with the state or the IRS.