How to Pass Etsy KYC with a Maine LLC (2026)
Etsy Payments seller verification requirements for a Maine LLC
By Edmond Hui · Last updated: June 2026
Edmond Hui · Founder, MyStateLLC
Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.
Etsy requires sellers using Etsy Payments to complete identity and tax verification before receiving payouts. For an LLC registered as a business (not a disregarded entity), Etsy collects the entity name, legal address, EIN or other taxpayer number, and verifies this information against the IRS database. Etsy also requires a government photo ID and selfie via its identity-verification partner Persona, plus a bank account linked to receive Etsy Payments disbursements.
What Etsy requires — and how a Maine LLC meets each
| Requirement | How your Maine LLC satisfies it |
|---|---|
| LLC entity name verified against IRS | Use the exact LLC name on your Maine Certificate of Formation; it must match your bank account holder name. |
| Employer Identification Number (EIN) | Provide your federal EIN (free from the IRS; non-US founders without an SSN must apply via Form SS-4 by fax or phone rather than the online tool) — independent of Maine. |
| Taxpayer information and IRS verification | Complete the tax interview. A US LLC owned by US persons typically submits a W-9 using its EIN; non-US owners of a disregarded-entity LLC generally use a W-8 form instead. |
| Government photo ID and selfie (via Persona) | Provide a government ID for each beneficial owner. Maine lists members on public filings, so the names already match state records. |
| Bank account for Etsy Payments disbursements | Link a US business bank account opened with your EIN and Certificate of Formation. |
Maine-specific things to watch
- Maine lists LLC members on public filings, so Etsy's beneficial-owner check will line up with public state records — you still upload a government ID for each owner.
- Maine issues a Certificate of Formation rather than "Articles of Organization." When Etsy asks for "formation documents," upload your Certificate of Formation.
How to verify your Maine LLC on Etsy
- LLC entity name verified against IRS. Use the exact LLC name on your Maine Certificate of Formation; it must match your bank account holder name.
- Employer Identification Number (EIN). Provide your federal EIN (free from the IRS; non-US founders without an SSN must apply via Form SS-4 by fax or phone rather than the online tool) — independent of Maine.
- Taxpayer information and IRS verification. Complete the tax interview. A US LLC owned by US persons typically submits a W-9 using its EIN; non-US owners of a disregarded-entity LLC generally use a W-8 form instead.
- Government photo ID and selfie (via Persona). Provide a government ID for each beneficial owner. Maine lists members on public filings, so the names already match state records.
- Bank account for Etsy Payments disbursements. Link a US business bank account opened with your EIN and Certificate of Formation.
Non-US founders
Non-US sellers can use Etsy Payments in supported countries, but for a US LLC the seller account must be linked to a US bank account or eligible payment method. Non-US beneficial owners of a US LLC must still complete identity verification via Persona with a valid government ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
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