How To Get a Virtual Business Address That Works
To get a virtual business address, you must choose a high-quality virtual office service provider that can provide a lease agreement and utility bill in your business’s name. These proof of address documents are needed for opening a bank account and for accounts such as Shopify, Stripe, or Amazon.
Start in Wyoming’s high-quality virtual office includes a unique, physical street address, a professional lease agreement in your business’s name, and the option to set up a utility bill. Everything your business needs to appear professional and verify important business accounts. We’ve successfully helped many clients establish their business with a U.S. office address.
The Virtual Business Address Should Include a Lease Agreement
A valid lease agreement is required to verify your business address. Banks, payment processors, and platforms like Shopify may request proof of address documents when opening an account. Without a lease, many services will reject the address.
Even if you manage to open an account, verification requests can come at any time. This is especially true when your business starts making money. Platforms have a responsibility to verify their users.
The lease must be in your company’s name and tied to a real office address. It should clearly show a start date, monthly fee, and contact information for the lessor.
Avoid any provider that cannot supply this document. Some virtual address services offer a vague agreement that shows it’s a virtual address, which won’t meet verification standards.
Can the Virtual Address Provide Utility Bills?
A utility bill is necessary to open an Amazon Seller Account. A utility bill is also a high-quality form of proof of address. Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements are getting stricter, so having access to a utility bill ensures your business can pass verification checks with ease.
Only a small number of providers offer virtual addresses with real utility bills in your company’s name. The bill must list the business address, your LLC or corporation name, and be a recognizable utility like electricity or internet.
Choose a Non-CMRA Address
A CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency) is a designation used by USPS for mailbox rental companies, including most virtual mailbox services. These addresses are flagged in national databases and often lead to rejections by banks and online platforms.
To avoid this, choose a virtual address tied to a true office space outside the CMRA system. At Start in Wyoming, our virtual office is not registered as a CMRA.
How to Get a Virtual Address
Get a virtual address to ensure your business can be compliant as it grows. It’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, but it costs you time and money in the long run.
- Choose a Location
Pick a state that has minimal regulations and a favorable tax situation. Wyoming is a popular option due to its lack of state income tax and strong privacy protections for business owners.
The office should also be a real, identifiable street address rather than just a mailbox. This helps to improve the image of your business.
- Find a Quality Provider
Look for a service that offers more than basic mail forwarding. Confirm they provide a lease agreement, physical street address, and access to utility bills.
Make sure the location is not marked as a CMRA. Avoid digital mailbox providers as they rarely meet compliance needs for banking or business verification.
The address you’re provided with is also important. The address is the foundation of your business. Some virtual address services don’t have any quality checks, so you will be sharing an address with thousands of people, including scammers. It pays to do your research and choose a high-quality service.
- File Your LLC with the Secretary of State
Once you have the address, you can use it as your principal office when forming your LLC. Be careful not to confuse this with the registered agent address, which must be a separate service.
Using a good virtual business address in your Articles of Organization makes verifying accounts much smoother in the future.
- Open a Business Bank Account for your LLC
Banks require documentation to verify your business, including an EIN, LLC formation documents, and proof of address. The lease must resemble one used for a traditional office.
It should not disclose that the space is “virtual” or shared. Any mention of virtual status may result in a declined application. Make sure all documentation is consistent with what banks expect from a physical business office.
Virtual Office vs Virtual Address
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, a virtual office typically offers more features than a basic virtual address.
If your business is serious, it’s worth choosing a provider that treats your address like a real office. With compliance standards rising and KYC requirements tightening, taking shortcuts with your business location can lead to unnecessary problems.
Avoid P.O. Boxes and Virtual Mailboxes
P.O. Boxes and standard virtual mailboxes don’t qualify as a business address for legal or financial verification. They lack a genuine business address and are often rejected by banks and online service providers.
Most virtual mailbox services operate under CMRA designations and only provide mail scanning. While convenient for personal use, these addresses are not suitable for forming an LLC or opening a business account.
Can You Use a Virtual Address to Register a Company?
Yes, you can use a virtual office address as your legal business address, but it must be a legitimate physical street address (not a P.O. box) and comply with local business registration regulations.
When registering a company, match your formation documents to the lease and address details. This helps prevent compliance issues and reduces the risk of delays when dealing with government agencies or financial institutions.
Do I Need a Virtual Address for My Business?
A virtual address offers professionalism and privacy if your business operates online or from home. It allows you to keep your home address off public records while meeting requirements for registration and verification.
Many online platforms, including PayPal, Stripe, and Amazon, expect a real business address for seller verification. A virtual business address with the proper documentation satisfies this need without requiring a commercial lease of your own.
Want a Professional Virtual Business Address?
Start in Wyoming’s virtual office provides everything a business owner needs to open bank accounts and verify important business accounts. It includes a real, physical business address, a lease agreement, and the option to get a utility bill in your business’s name.
The office is owned by a Wyoming attorney, so you get an experienced local by your side. We never outsource your business. Work directly with the source to ensure your business is supported now and forever.