Is a US phone number required when forming an LLC in the US? Why is a phone number needed?
In this article, we will detail why a +1 USA phone number is required during LLC formation in the USA.
As it is known, when setting up an LLC, we do this remotely and Registered Agent companies do the LLC setup on our behalf. In fact, a phone number is not required in the installation and this phone with a USA area code does not appear in the State records and is not processed.
Do Virtual Phones Receive SMS?
First of all, we usually have these types of phones for SMS verification. Although it does not support every platform, this type of virtual phone service can receive SMS from most places.
For example Zadarma ;
When you buy a phone with a +1 area code from Zadarma, you can use your number through the application by installing the mobile application and logging in from your phone.
However, in Zadarma, the Sms feature is disabled by default, you must first enable the Sms receiving feature from the admin panel. To do this, enter the Services, SMS page from the menu…
Then, direct it to the SIP assigned to you so that it can receive incoming SMS from the receive SMS section.
When you select your SIP ID, it automatically saves the setting as follows. SMS messages sent to this number can now be received. If you wish, you can forward these SMS to your own mobile phone, but be aware that this may incur additional costs.
To test, let's send an SMS from our own phone to our US number. SMS comes without any problems. Also, for your information, the same SMS will be sent to the e-mail address we used when registering for Zadarma.
here to get a new US phone from Zadarma . In order for the number to be active, you need to upload your ID to the panel and after authentication you can use your number.
Where is USA Phone Number Used?
In fact, we need this phone, which is not registered in the state records when forming an llc, at these stages.
1.When applying for installation in Registered Agent companies
When you decide to establish a company and choose a registered agent, you will be asked for a business phone number and a contact phone number during the installation phase. Not all companies want this, for example, NorthWest Registered Agent does not require a USA business phone during installation. Northwest does not want this information, but Inc. Authority and many agents do.
We can only enter a US phone number in the registration form during the installation phase. The mobile number in TR cannot be entered in this field. This is why a phone number with a USA +1 area code is needed.
2. Opening a Bank Account
When opening an account at some banks, we cannot enter the number with the Türkiye country code into these fields because the country code is in USA +1 format by default. This is why a phone number may be needed. The bank issue is very important because an SMS verification is required to log in to internet banking and at this stage, this code is sent to the phone number we entered during the first registration. That's why a USA area code number is required.
So, do all banks require a USA phone number on their registration forms? No, not all of them have it, but since some of them use this format, it is necessary to use a USA number.
3.For Payment Gateways like Stripe
When opening a Stripe account, you need to enter a USA phone number for your business.
In fact, recently the option of 2-factor authentication and SMS verification with the Google Authenticator application has been offered, but when registering with many payment gateways, we automatically encounter the phone form with the US area code since our business geography is in the USA. That's why we can say that a phone number is needed.
4.Use for Communication Purposes on Websites
You can add this phone number to your contact pages to instill trust in your customers by giving your websites or online stores a corporate brand atmosphere. Additionally, if you want to use Whatsapp Business (very useful in situations such as E-Commerce, customer support and directing Facebook ads to messages), you can use this +1 code USA phone number.
Which Service Should You Use?
There are many companies to have a virtual phone number and to register and fix this number. These companies offer different payment plans such as monthly or annual, and prices vary depending on the company.
Let's say some of these or the ones I know; Zadarma , Sonetel , Skype and Talku. Apart from these, there are many other companies that provide virtual phone number services with variable prices. It is important to pay attention to some details, such as the fact that the company is reliable and has been serving for a long time. Because you will use this phone number in many places I explained above, it is important that your private number assigned to you is not lost. Otherwise, you will have to update your new number in many places.
Conclusion
As a result, a USA number is not included in company formation documents or state records and is not requested. However, since there is no country selection option in the registration forms of registered agent companies during the installation phase, there are no fields where we can enter the +90 code. That's why a USA number is needed in the first stage. Next, a USA number with +1 area code is needed because a similar format is used when opening a bank account and registering with some payment gateways.
Before getting a virtual USA phone number, you just need to make sure that the company you will receive service from is long-term and reliable.
37 Comments . New Comment
Hello, when setting up Shopify Payments, it asks for a phone number with +1 area code. What do you recommend me to do? Thanks.
Hello, generally the topic progresses through zadarma. Why is sonetel in second place? What is its disadvantage compared to zadarma? The reason I'm asking is because I had a Sonetel number that I bought before. It has been inactive for a few months because I haven't paid for it. I was thinking of activating it... Thank you.
Sonetel is not a full phone service, they have now turned into an llc that mainly does chat automation. Alternatives such as zadarma, talku, skype business or nomero will be more effective than sonetel.
Unfortunately, WhatsApp registration is not possible with virtual phone numbers. It is not possible to do this with any VoIP-based number.
If you have an e-SIM supported phone, you can buy an international e-SIM that can receive SMS and try it. Policies may be updated over time, they may not accept them anymore.
Hello, is it possible to enter my own TR number for stripe? I'm having trouble finding a physical US sim card. Should I use e-sim as an alternative? I would be very happy if you give me information.
A phone with a US area code is not required for Stripe. You can open your account by entering your mobile number you use in Turkey. They accept this.
I don't think a number that can receive SMS is required when entering an Usan phone number starting with +1 when opening a Stripe account. Because there is no SMS exchange when I open a Stripe account. I activated two methods just as a security measure when entering the website. One is via the password sent via SMS to my Türkiye mobile number, and the other is via the Google Authenticator mobile application. It works on both. In short, perhaps I made an unnecessary 3-month prepayment for the ability to receive SMS. Anyway, I might need it later, I don't know. Anyone have experience?
No need to give your mobile number. Also, if you use Google Authenticator, there will be no need for SMS, you will not need phone verification at the first stage when opening an account, and you will solve that part with the Google Authenticator app in the last step. If you look at the stripe article in detail, all this information is written, you are looking at the wrong topic.
Hello, unfortunately Zadarma does not activate SMS without receiving payment for the first 3 months. You will already see this warning on the registration page. I don't know if there is another method to receive SMS.
Yes, you need to deposit approximately 10 USD and then the SMS will open. Unfortunately, there is no other method.
So, is it okay if we deposit $10 in advance? The problem is not $10 but waiting 3 months.
There is no need to wait for 3 months, that part becomes active when extra credit is deposited. One of our members did it last week and it was even working. If there is no change, it may still be the same system, but if you want, you can open a notification through the ticket and get the most up-to-date information from them.
Can I ask one last question? When purchasing this line, is a mobile line or a line with a state code appropriate? Or should the telephone service provided as an additional service be preferred when renting a virtual office? I stayed in the meantime. Which service would be healthy?
Mr. Tariq,
These types of systems are IP-based applications that exchange voice and data via SIP. They work with a connection through the app, which does not provide you with any e-sim or sim.
If this US number is an important factor for you (such as receiving full and healthy SMS messages), Skype Business is a solution that we can highly recommend. https://secure.skype.com/tr/skype-number/
It is very advantageous for annual purchases. I would like to point out that the telephone systems provided by virtual offices are not very effective. Skype is the system that you can use most efficiently and has the most area code options.
Thank you, Mr. Nazmi, for your relevant answers. I bought a Skype phone number to be on the safe side, but I came across a warning in the support section. (You can receive SMS messages from US and Canadian mobile numbers to your US Skype Number. However, SMS messages sent from services such as authentication are not supported on US Skype Numbers.
Now this brings me back again. It made me suspicious. If we do not receive a bank confirmation SMS, the phone number has no meaning.
You're welcome Mr. Tarık, essentially all such IP-based systems (including some foreign sim cards) may not receive SMS from very critical sources. However, even Zadarma (the most affordable SIP provider) can receive verification SMS from many channels, even if it is not as large an organization as Skype. Skype probably gets a lot of them too.
However, it is also worth noting this. Almost all the platforms you will sign up for (except PayPal) support Turkish mobile operators when you select TR as the country you live in. Do not use IP-based sip phones on critical channels such as banks or payment gateways. Try to use your own number.
Skype is more secure than other providers. You can give your Skype number as contact information to your customers instead of using it when signing up to critical places (use your own number if TR is supported). Or you can use it to register on platforms such as WhatsApp Business.
If this number is very important to you, you can cancel your Skype membership and purchase international SIM cards. Of course, to turn on their SMS feature, you will need to pay an extra fee (they charge extra to receive SMS from systems such as banks) and use a phone with an unlocked SIM.
Do we need a local telephone number in the USA to use when forming an LLC company or opening a bank account?
You can use your local mobile number when forming an LLC company and opening a bank account, but if you are going to open a Stripe account, you must get a US area code number.
Hello, as far as I saw in the comment in July, there was a problem with Zadarma. In this case, is there a fast, easy and convenient phone company you can recommend other than Sonetel? Thanks
Hello,
Actually, there was no problem and it is still in use. All you need to do is activate the SMS receiving feature from the SMS menu after receiving the virtual number. Nowadays, many people use it this way without any problems.
However, if you want to try a different alternative, there is Skype Corporate other than Sonetel that we can recommend. There is also talk, but it is not very reliable, but the choice is yours.
On July 31, Mr. Caner said, “I became a member of Zadarmaya based on what I read here. Unfortunately, there is no message receiving/forwarding setting like the one you show. When I contacted them later, they showed on their page that there was no option to receive messages for Türkiye. Are you using another method to overcome this situation? Comment: “As you stated, they removed this service from Turkey with a new update
. However, existing services continue to work, meaning SMS support will continue for those who have previously opened an account.” I'm confused that you said it that way. So, new members do not have any problems receiving SMS?
Hello,
It was later put into use again and now all the old accounts are active. Maybe there is another problem.
If you want, send your zadarma username and password support@startupsole.com and let's check it.
Hello sir,
First of all, thank you very much for your quick answers.
Is there a monthly fee of 2 dollars in Zadarma?
Do we have to pay every month?
You are welcome, Yes, in zadarma plans are paid monthly.
I wonder if this article is still up to date? Can I use Zadarma for stripe and paypal?
Yes, the article works, but you need to activate the SMS feature.
Türkiye is not among the supported countries in the "Receive SMS messages" section, but will this cause us any problems?
If you install the Zadarma app, you can receive SMS via SIP. SMS forwarding only to Türkiye numbers may not be supported. We have been receiving SMS via Zadarma Via application for about 1 year.
I became a member of Zadarmaya based on what I read here. Unfortunately, there is no message receiving/forwarding setting like the one you show. When I contacted them later, they showed on their page that there was no option to receive messages for Türkiye. Are you using another method to overcome this situation?
Hello,
this service
from Turkey with a new update. However, existing services continue to work, meaning SMS support will continue for those who have previously opened an account.
Alternatively you can use sonetel (which asks you to submit an address verification form) or skype.
We will update our articles in this direction and produce alternative solutions as soon as possible.
I want to buy a physical sim card. This seems like a more definitive solution. What would you recommend, such as lines from England?
I don't know exactly what you will use it for, but SIP-based virtual numbers can receive calls and SMS.
But if you still want to buy a physical sim card, you can look at the option below.
https://www.worldsim.com//virtual-phone-number?___store=global
2.
I got my phone number from sonetel, I gave the number to Inc, but now I'm having trouble verifying it. Would it be a problem if I get it from Zadarma and give it to Inc?
Sonetel identity and address verification is easier for Zadarma, or you can cancel Sonetel at the end of the month and get a new one from Zadarma, but you do not need to give it to Incauthority, they send an e-mail in case of any situation.
Hello sir, can we do something like forwarding the phone number we received to a number in Türkiye and should we do it? Will someone call us from that number?
If you want, you can direct the number to your Türkiye line, but at the first stage it is not necessary, no one will call you from that number. In fact, we only get that number for registration in some places, because a US number is required.
You can also use your website as a WhatsApp corporate support line in the future.