Fintech KYC
Opening a ZEN Business Account for Your LLC? Here Is How to Prepare the Documents ZEN Asks For
ZEN (often searched as Zen Bank) asks LLC owners for two mandatory documents before it opens a business account: a certified Operating Agreement and a sworn affidavit on ownership and management. Both have strict formal requirements, and a document that misses one detail is sent back. This guide walks through what ZEN asks for, in the order ZEN asks for it, and how to get both documents ready remotely, usually within 24 hours.
Also see our guide to opening a bank account abroad.
Quick answer
First contact ZEN and wait for their onboarding link. Then submit (1) your Operating Agreement, either signed with a qualified electronic signature or as a certified true copy, and (2) a signed affidavit confirming who owns and manages the company. A licensed Notary Public can certify the copy and attest the signature on the affidavit by video call, from EUR 75 per document.
Book a short call →Step 1: Request Your Onboarding Link From ZEN
Do not start an application on your own. Contact ZEN first and wait for their dedicated onboarding link, otherwise your application is likely to be rejected straight away.
Once the link arrives and you have entered your details, ZEN asks for the two documents below.
Step 2: The Two Documents ZEN Requires
1. The company's Operating Agreement
ZEN accepts the Operating Agreement in one of two forms:
| Form | What ZEN requires |
|---|---|
| Original digital PDF | Signed by the company's representative(s) with a qualified electronic signature (QES) |
| Certified copy | Signed by the representative(s) electronically or in wet ink, and certified as a true copy of the original |
Most LLC owners do not have a QES signed original, so the certified copy is the usual route. More on company documents for use abroad. ZEN asks that the certification includes:
- A statement such as "True copy"
- Name, surname and title of the certifying person
- Their professional registration details and contact details
- The date of certification
A certification missing any one of these is a common reason for a document to be returned.
2. A sworn affidavit on ownership and management
The affidavit is signed by the company's legal representative(s) under penalty of perjury. It must clearly confirm who owns and who manages the company. ZEN offers two ways to write it.
Option A: Full factual statement. The affidavit spells out every fact in full:
- Company name, registration number and registered office
- All members or shareholders and their ownership percentages
- All beneficial owners
- All managers or directors
- For each person listed: full name, date of birth and citizenship
Option B: Reference to the Operating Agreement. The affidavit names the Operating Agreement as its primary source, confirms that the information in it is accurate, and supplements it with the details ZEN lists.
Option A is longer to write but stands on its own. Option B is shorter, but only works if your Operating Agreement is current and complete. If ownership or management has changed since the agreement was signed, Option A is usually the safer choice.
Getting Both Documents Ready, Remotely
You do not need to travel to a notary or an embassy. A licensed Notary Public handles both documents by video call, wherever you or your LLC are based. See also remote notarisation for non residents.
- Book a short call. We confirm which form of the Operating Agreement you have and whether Option A or Option B suits your affidavit.
- Send us the documents. Upload your Operating Agreement and your drafted affidavit. We check them against ZEN's list before the session.
- Meet the Notary Public by video. Your identity is verified, the copy of the Operating Agreement is certified as a true copy, and the representative signs the affidavit in front of the notary, who attests the signature.
- Receive your documents. You get scanned PDFs within 24 hours, ready to upload to ZEN. Originals can be sent by courier if needed.
A Notary Public certification carries the name, title, registration details, contact details and date that ZEN asks for, so nothing has to be added afterwards.
What it costs
| Document | Service | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Agreement | Certified true copy | EUR 75 |
| Affidavit | Notarised signature | EUR 75 |
| Either document, if requested | Apostille | EUR 75 per document |
For most ZEN applications the total is EUR 150 for both documents. Courier delivery of originals is priced separately. See our pricing page for details.
Do you need an apostille for ZEN?
Usually not. ZEN's list asks for a certified copy and a signed affidavit, not an apostille. An apostille is only needed if ZEN, or another bank or authority, asks for one specifically. Read more in What Is an Apostille and When Do You Need One? or how to get an apostille remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to ZEN without waiting for the link?
It is not recommended. ZEN asks you to contact them first and wait for a dedicated link, otherwise the application is likely to be rejected.
My Operating Agreement was signed in wet ink. Is that enough?
Not on its own. A wet ink original needs to be certified as a true copy, with the certifier's name, title, registration details, contact details and date.
Should I choose Option A or Option B for the affidavit?
Option B is quicker if your Operating Agreement is up to date. If members, managers or ownership percentages have changed, use Option A so every fact is stated in full.
I am the only member of my LLC. Do I still need the affidavit?
Yes. ZEN asks for it regardless of how many members the company has. For a single member LLC it is simply shorter.
Does this also apply to Revolut, Wise and other fintechs?
The exact wording differs, but most fintechs ask for some form of certified ownership document. See our guide to Revolut's shareholder structure request and our fintech and crypto KYC guide.
How fast can both documents be ready?
Once your documents are confirmed, the notary session and delivery are usually completed within 24 hours.
Get Your ZEN Documents Ready
One short call tells you exactly what ZEN needs from you, and both documents can be ready by tomorrow.
Book remote notarisationThis article is general information and not legal advice. ZEN's requirements can change, so always follow the most recent list ZEN sends you.