Zeffy Help Center
🇺🇸 US - Stripe Verification

Verify a US account

To accept payments on Zeffy, your US nonprofit must complete Stripe verification. This guide walks you through each step with links to troubleshooting help if you get stuck.

Where to go next

What You'll Need

  • Your organization's EIN (Employer Identification Number) and legal name as registered with the IRS

  • Your organization's address matching your IRS registration

  • The last 4 digits of a Social Security Number from an authorized representative

  • A government-issued ID and selfie from the same representative

  • Your organization's bank account details (personal bank accounts are not accepted)

All organizations are asked to provide a website for verification purposes. If your organization does not have a website, you can provide a public (not private) social media page instead, or create an organization landing page with your mission statement and campaigns listed.

This verification process is mandatory for long-term fundraising with Zeffy. However, you may be able to start accepting payments before completing all verification steps. Learn more about verification timing requirements.

Step-by-Step Video Tutorial

Verification Steps

1

Step 1: Gather your IRS documentation

Before you begin, locate your official IRS documents:

  • Letter 147c (CP 575): the official EIN assignment letter from the IRS, or

  • SS4 form: the application form showing your EIN was assigned

These documents show your exact legal name, EIN, and address as registered with the IRS. You'll need to match this information exactly in the verification portal.

If your EIN was issued within the last 3 months, it may not yet appear in the IRS database Stripe uses for verification. Have your Letter 147c or SS4 ready to upload as proof.

2

Step 2: Enter your EIN and organization name

Go to the Finances tab in Zeffy and click the verification button (either a yellow warning banner or a "Complete verification" button) to access Stripe's verification portal.

Enter your EIN, legal name, and address exactly as they appear on your Letter 147c or SS4, including punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.

For example, if your Letter 147c shows:

ZEFFY ORGANIZATION
123 ADDRESS BLVD STE 111
HOUSTON, TX 12345

Enter the information exactly as shown. Do not abbreviate "BLVD" to "Boulevard" or change any formatting.

Stuck? If your EIN verification fails, the most common cause is an information mismatch. See US: EIN verification issues for solutions including name mismatches, newly issued EINs, and name changes.

3

Step 3: Complete representative ID verification

An authorized representative (board member, executive director, or authorized signatory) must upload a government-issued ID and take a selfie.

Accepted IDs:

  • Driver's license

  • Passport

  • State ID

The name on the ID must match exactly what you entered for the representative in Zeffy.

Stuck? If your ID or selfie isn't being accepted, see ID verification: requirements and troubleshooting for photo quality tips, selfie guidance, and browser recommendations.

4

Step 4: Enter your bank account details

Enter your organization's bank account information for receiving payouts. Personal bank accounts are not accepted.

You'll need:

  • Bank account number

  • Routing number

  • Account holder name (must match your organization name)

5

Step 5: Submit and check for errors

After entering all information, click "Agree & submit" to send your verification to Stripe.

If documents still appear missing:

  • Re-enter your state exactly as it appears on your document

  • Return to the verification page and click "Agree & submit" again

Stripe typically reviews submissions within 24-72 hours. Check back the next day to confirm no additional information is needed.

PO Box Addresses

Stripe does not accept PO boxes as official business addresses for verification. However, the address you enter for verification doesn't need to match the address on your IRS determination letter.

If your organization uses a PO box:

  1. Use a personal address (such as your home address or the address of a board member) for the Stripe verification process

  2. Once verification is complete, you can change the address in your account settings to display your official PO box on tax receipts

To update your address after verification:

  1. Click your name in the bottom left of your account

  2. Select Settings

  3. Select Organization information

  4. Enter your PO box in the address section

Understanding Temporary Verification

If you've entered all information correctly but see an error banner requesting additional information, your account may have temporary verification. This happens when your EIN isn't yet in Stripe's IRS database.

  • What it means: You've been granted a one-month grace period to begin receiving payments while Stripe re-verifies your EIN.

  • If your EIN is found: Your account will be fully approved.

  • If your EIN is still not found: Payouts will be disabled (receiving payments remains enabled). To re-enable payouts, send your official EIN documentation to [email protected] for manual verification.

Changing Your Representative

You can change the person listed as your account representative at any time. Go to Settings (click your name in the bottom left) → Bank identity → click Edit next to the representative's information.

Was this helpful?
Was this helpful?