How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN Verification Letter from the IRS?

Quick Answer Summary

• Online EIN application (CP 575 confirmation letter):

  • EIN is issued immediately and you can print your confirmation letter on the spot.IRS+1

  • If you apply by mail or fax, the IRS typically mails the CP-575 letter within 4–6 weeks, though some sources say up to 8–10 weeks in slower periods.OnPay+2Easyfiling+2

• Replacement EIN verification letter (Form 147C):

  • If you call the IRS and choose fax, the 147C letter is usually sent immediately while you’re on the phone.TriNet+1

  • If you choose mail, most businesses receive it in 7–14 business days, but the IRS and practitioners often warn to allow up to 4–6 weeks in busy seasons.Gusto+2Homebase+2

• Practical planning rule:

  • For the fastest EIN verification letter: call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line and request a faxed 147C.

  • For mail, build in at least 2–4 weeks of buffer, and up to 6 weeks during peak tax season.

What Is an EIN Verification Letter, Really?

When people say “EIN letter,” they’re usually talking about one of two IRS documents:

1. CP 575 EIN Confirmation Letter

   • Sent after your EIN is first issued.

   • Shows your legal name, address, and EIN—the document banks and vendors often ask for as “proof.”UpCounsel

2. Form 147C EIN Verification Letter

   • A replacement confirmation letter when you’ve lost the CP 575 or never received it.

   • Requested directly from the IRS and sent by fax or mail, not email.TriNet+1

Functionally, both serve as “proof” of your EIN. The timing you care about depends on which version you’re trying to get and how you request it.

How Long It Takes to Get Your Original EIN Letter (CP 575)

1. If You Apply Online

If you use the IRS online EIN application:

• Your EIN is issued immediately once the application is validated.

• The IRS explicitly tells you to print your EIN confirmation letter at the end of the session—that’s effectively your CP 575.IRS+1

In practice, that means:

• Time to get your EIN letter: Within minutes (as soon as you hit submit and print/save the letter).

• If you forget to print it, you’re stuck requesting a 147C replacement later, which takes longer.

Real-life example:
Maria forms an LLC on Monday morning and needs a bank account by the afternoon. She applies online, prints her EIN confirmation letter, walks into the bank with that letter and her Articles of Organization, and opens the account the same day. Because she printed immediately, she never had to wait for mail at all.

2. If You Apply by Mail or Fax

If you don’t or can’t use the online system and instead send Form SS-4 by mail or fax:

• Several practitioner and IRS guidance sources say 4–6 weeks is the typical time for your CP-575 letter to arrive.OnPay+1

• Some legal/tax references still mention up to 8–10 weeks in slow or backlogged periods.UpCounsel+1

My honest, expert opinion: for planning purposes, assume 4–6 weeks is normal, but don’t panic unless it’s been 8+ weeks without any notice.

Real-life example:
A non-urgent family rental LLC mails Form SS-4 in early January. The IRS is slammed with year-end and early tax-season traffic. They get their CP 575 letter around mid-February—just over 5 weeks later—which is right in the expected range.

How Long It Takes to Get a Replacement EIN Verification Letter (Form 147C)

If you’ve lost your CP 575 or didn’t print your online letter, you’ll need Form 147C, which you can only get by contacting the IRS.

How to Request Form 147C

You must contact the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line:

• Phone: 800-829-4933 (U.S. callers)

• Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local timeIRS+1

You’ll:

1. Call and choose the menu options for EIN/business accounts.

2. Verify you’re authorized (owner, officer, or POA).

3. Ask specifically for an EIN verification letter (Form 147C).

4. Choose fax or mail delivery.North One+1

Timing if You Choose Fax

Multiple reputable sources agree that:

• Fax delivery is essentially immediate.

• The IRS agent can fax the 147C while you’re still on the call, often within minutes of completing verification.TriNet+2Homebase+2

This can be a digital fax (e-fax) service, so you don’t literally need an old-school fax machine—just a fax number that delivers to your email.

Real-life example:
A contractor needs proof of EIN for a government bid due tomorrow. He calls the IRS in the morning, gives his e-fax number, and has a PDF of the 147C EIN verification letter in his email before the end of the call. He attaches it to his bid that afternoon.

Timing if You Choose Mail

If you can’t use fax, you can have the 147C mailed to the address on file:

• Many payroll/tax resources say you’ll often receive it in 7–14 business days.Homebase+1

• Others caution to expect about 4–6 weeks, especially during peak IRS volume or if there are address issues.Gusto+2TriNet+2

My recommendation:

• Best-case expectation: 1–2 weeks.

• Realistic planning: Build in at least 2–4 weeks.

• Worst-case buffer: Up to 6 weeks in tax season or during IRS backlogs.

Why Different Sources List Different Timeframes

You’ll see everything from “a few days” to “8–10 weeks” online. That’s not the IRS being inconsistent so much as:

1. Different documents

   • Some articles are talking about the original CP 575 confirmation letter.

   • Others are referring to 147C verification letters or even generic “verification letters.”Mosey+1

2. Different methods

   • Online issuance is instant.

   • Mail/fax applications for EINs or mailed 147C letters take weeks.

   • Faxed 147C letters are essentially same-day.

3. Different IRS backlog periods

   • In slow years, mail may genuinely show up in 7–14 business days.

   • In heavy years (tax season, post-pandemic backlog), it can push beyond 4–6 weeks.

So, if you’ve read “it takes about a month to get a verification letter,” that’s essentially an average that sits right between the faster and slower scenarios.UpCounsel

How to Get Your EIN Verification Letter as Fast as Possible

If timing really matters (for a loan closing, vendor onboarding, or opening a business bank account), here’s the speed-optimized strategy I’d use:

Step 1: If You Haven’t Applied Yet, Use the Online EIN Application

• Go to the IRS EIN application page and apply online.

• When the EIN is issued, immediately save and print the EIN confirmation letter—and save a PDF copy.IRS+1

This completely avoids the “waiting for the letter” problem.

Step 2: If You Already Have an EIN but Lost the Letter

1. Call the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 during non-peak hours (early morning or late afternoon tends to be better).IRS

2. Ask for a 147C EIN verification letter.

3. Request the letter by fax to a fax or e-fax number you control.TriNet+1

In most cases, this is the fastest route to having official EIN proof in your hands.

Step 3: Only Use Mail When You Have No Other Option

If you must use mail:

• Confirm your mailing address on file is correct.

• Make a note of the date of your call and who you spoke to (if they give a name or ID).

• Plan around 2–4 weeks of waiting and follow up if you haven’t received anything by week 4–6.Gusto+1

Practical Timeline Cheat Sheet

Common Questions About EIN Verification Letter Timing

What if I never got my original EIN letter?

If you applied online but didn’t print the letter, or if your CP 575 was lost in the mail, the IRS will not reissue the CP 575. Instead, they’ll send a 147C verification letter, following the timing above.Delawareinc+1

Can I get my EIN letter emailed to me?

No. For security reasons, the IRS does not email EIN confirmation or 147C letters. Delivery is fax or mail only.Gusto+1

What if I need proof of my EIN today?

Your best bet is:

• If you still have your online confirmation PDF: use that.

• If not, call the IRS and request a faxed 147C. In many cases you’ll have it within minutes once you get through on the phone.TriNet+1

Why is my bank refusing my other documents?

Many banks insist on an official IRS letter (CP 575 or 147C) rather than just seeing the EIN on a tax return or in your accounting software. If your bank is one of them, you’ll need to follow the steps above and wait for the official letter, even if you already know your EIN.

Sources

• IRS – Employer Identification Number (EIN) online application guidance.IRS

• UpCounsel – EIN confirmation and mail timing (immediate vs 8–10 weeks).UpCounsel

• OnPay / EasyFiling – 4–6 week timeframe for mailed EIN confirmation letters.OnPay+1

• Gusto / TriNet / HR & payroll resources – 147C fax vs mail timing (immediate fax, several weeks by mail).TriNet+1

• Homebase / Mosey – 147C mail arrival in 7–14 business days, “few days” in best cases.Homebase+1

• IRS – Business & Specialty Tax Line contact info and hours.IRS+1

• UpCounsel – General statement that verification letters often take about a month, with possible delays.UpCounsel

Video Section (Helpful Related Videos)

These videos are not official legal or tax advice, but can help you visualize the process:

• “How Do I Get a 147C Letter From the IRS?” – CountyOffice.org explainer on the call-in process and what to expect.YouTube

• “What Is an EIN and Why Do You Need One?” – Basic overview videos from reputable tax channels on YouTube.

• “How to Apply for an EIN Online (Step-by-Step)” – Walkthrough tutorials showing the online application and how to print the confirmation letter.

• IRS Video Portal – IRS occasionally posts videos on business tax basics and EINs.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and reflects publicly available guidance and common practitioner experience at the time of writing. IRS processing times can change, and your specific situation may be different. For advice tailored to your business, consult a qualified tax professional or contact the IRS directly.