How to Get a US Phone Number for Bank Verification
Most US banks and fintechs ask for a US phone number during account opening and for ongoing SMS verification. As a non-US founder, you can get one through a VoIP provider, a US SIM, or a formation service that sets up your whole banking stack for you. This guide covers what actually works, what banks flag as risky, and how to set it up correctly the first time.
Why banks ask for a US phone number in the first place
US banks and fintech platforms (Mercury, Wise, Relay, and traditional banks alike) use your phone number for two things: identity verification during onboarding and two-factor authentication (2FA) every time you log in or move money. Some banks also use it to confirm you have a genuine US presence, since a US LLC with zero US contact points can look higher risk to compliance teams.
The problem for non-US founders is simple. You don't have a US carrier, you don't have a US SIM card, and buying one just for a bank account feels like overkill. It isn't necessary. Banks generally don't require a physical US SIM. They require a number that can receive SMS or a call reliably and, in some cases, one that isn't obviously a disposable or high-risk VoIP number.
Your options for getting a US number as a non-US founder
1. VoIP apps built for this exact use case
Services like Google Voice, OpenPhone, or Sonetel let you get a real US number with a US area code, tied to an app on your existing phone. You receive SMS and calls through the app, no US SIM needed. Google Voice requires a US-based verification step to sign up initially, which is a common blocker for founders based entirely outside the US, so many founders use a business-focused VoIP provider instead that allows signup from anywhere.
2. Business VoIP providers (OpenPhone, RingCentral, Grasshopper, etc.)
These are built for companies, not individuals, and they generally accept international billing addresses without issue. You pick an area code, verify your identity with a card and email, and you're active within minutes. This is the option most non-US founders end up using because it's stable, has a real support team, and looks like a normal business line rather than a throwaway number.
3. A physical US SIM card
Some founders ask a US-based contact, co-founder, or service provider to send them a prepaid SIM, or they buy an eSIM plan with a US number if one is available in their region. This works but adds friction: you need a compatible device, you need to keep the SIM active (numbers get recycled if unused), and it's usually unnecessary given how well VoIP numbers work for bank verification today.
4. A number bundled into your LLC or banking setup
If you're already using a formation or banking service to set up your US LLC, ITIN, and business bank account, a US phone number is often included or arranged as part of the process. This avoids you having to research providers, compare pricing, and figure out which VoIP number a specific bank will accept.
Step-by-step: setting up a US number banks will accept
- Pick a VoIP provider with a track record for business use (avoid free, ultra-disposable SMS-receiving apps meant for one-time codes; banks flag these).
- Sign up using your real name and, where possible, your LLC's details rather than a personal throwaway account.
- Choose a US area code. It doesn't need to match your bank's headquarters state, but a recognizable major-city area code (New York, Delaware, California) tends to raise fewer questions than obscure ones.
- Verify the number is actively receiving SMS and calls before you start your bank application. Test it with a text from your personal phone.
- Use this same number consistently across your LLC formation, EIN application, ITIN application, and bank account, so everything matches.
- Keep the subscription active. If the number lapses and gets reassigned, you lose access to 2FA on your bank account, which can lock you out until you go through support.
Common pitfalls with VoIP numbers and bank verification
Not every bank treats VoIP numbers equally. A few things trip founders up:
- Free SMS-receiving sites are a red flag. Numbers meant for one-time OTP bypass (used for things like social media signups) are shared across thousands of users and get blocked by bank compliance systems almost immediately.
- Mismatched details slow you down. If your LLC address, EIN application, and bank application all list different phone numbers, expect delays or extra verification requests.
- Letting the number lapse locks you out. Since your bank uses this number for ongoing 2FA, treat it as a permanent business utility, not a one-time setup step.
- Some banks want a working voicemail. Set one up on your VoIP number in case the bank calls instead of texting.
Why founders bundle this into their LLC and banking setup
Getting a US phone number isn't hard on its own, but it's one more account to manage alongside your LLC formation, EIN, ITIN, registered agent, and bank application, each with its own paperwork and waiting periods. Founders Credit handles the entire stack for non-US founders in one done-for-you process: LLC formation, ITIN, a US business bank account, US business credit cards including Amex, and the supporting details (like a consistent US phone number) that make the whole application move faster and get approved without back-and-forth. Everything is 100% remote, so you never need to visit the US or open a personal US bank account first.
When This Doesn't Apply
- If your bank explicitly accepts an international phone number for verification (some digital banks do, though most traditional US banks don't).
- If you already have a US-based co-founder, employee, or registered agent whose number the bank is comfortable using as a secondary contact.
- If you're opening a personal account in person at a US bank branch, where staff sometimes waive the phone requirement with in-person ID verification.
- If your business doesn't need US banking at all and a local or EU-based account already covers your payment needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US banks accept Google Voice numbers for verification?
Some do, but it varies by bank, and Google Voice itself requires a US-based verification step to create the account, which is a problem if you're signing up entirely from outside the US. A business VoIP provider that accepts international signups is usually a safer, more consistent choice.
Can I use my home country phone number instead of getting a US one?
A few digital-first banks accept international numbers, but most traditional US banks and many fintech platforms require a US number for SMS-based two-factor authentication and identity checks. Check your specific bank's requirements before assuming your existing number will work.
Will a VoIP number make my bank account look suspicious?
Not if it's from a legitimate business VoIP provider with a real signup process. What raises flags is using free, shared SMS-receiving numbers meant for one-time verification codes, since compliance systems are built to detect and block those.
Do I need a US SIM card and physical phone?
No. A VoIP number tied to an app on your existing phone is sufficient for the SMS and call verification that banks require. A physical US SIM is only useful if a specific bank explicitly refuses VoIP numbers, which is uncommon.
What happens if I lose access to the phone number my bank has on file?
You'll likely get locked out of two-factor authentication and need to go through the bank's support process, providing identity documents to update your contact number, which can take days. Keep your VoIP subscription active and paid to avoid this entirely.
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