> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.alternativepayments.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.alternativepayments.io/getting-started/account-set-up-and-configuration/getting-started-on-alternative-payments.md).
# Getting Started on Alternative Payments
**Account setup takes about 10 minutes. Verification and account activation typically take 1 to 3 business days.**
***
Curious about how to get started with Alternative Payments? As a first step, book a demo with a member of our sales team: [Book a demo with Alternative](https://www.alternativepayments.io/get-a-demo/). After the demo, your sales rep will introduce you to your dedicated Customer Success Manager to get your onboarding process started.
***
### **Overview of our onboarding process**
1. **Sign up for your account** -- visit [app.alternativepayments.io](https://app.alternativepayments.io/) and create your account using Social Sign On (Google or Microsoft 365) or a username and password. See below for step-by-step instructions.
2. **Complete your business profile** -- enter your company details, legal name, EIN (United States) or Business Number (Canada), address, and company representative information.
3. **Submit KYC verification** -- provide a government-issued photo ID for the company representative and any beneficial owners holding 25% or more ownership. This is required by financial regulations.
4. **Connect your bank account** -- link your bank account for payouts using Plaid or by entering your details manually.
5. **Set up your integrations** (if applicable) -- connect your accounting software (QuickBooks Online, Xero) and/or PSA (ConnectWise, Autotask, HaloPSA, SuperOps). To learn more, visit our [integration guides](/integrations/accounting-integration-guides.md).
6. **Account review and activation** -- your account will be in **Setup Mode** while our team reviews your verification documents. This typically takes 1 to 3 business days. During Setup Mode, you can explore the platform and configure your settings, but you cannot process live payments.
7. **Go live** -- once your account is verified, your Customer Success Manager will work with you to activate your account, complete platform training, and take your billing link live.
***
### **How to sign up**
For new partners, the process to get started is easy. Visit [app.alternativepayments.io](https://app.alternativepayments.io/) and click on "Log In" located in the top right corner to initiate your account setup. From there, you have the choice to configure your account by using convenient social sign on options via Gmail or Microsoft 365, or you can opt to establish a secure password. Once your account is created, you'll be introduced to your Customer Success Manager to get your account activated.
**Social Sign On:**
Navigate to "Create an account" and sign up for your new account with Google or Microsoft 365. You'll be navigated to your email provider's website where you can finish the set up by entering your email credentials.
**Password Login:**
Set up your Alternative Payments account by configuring an email and secure password. You'll receive an email from ** with a one-time 6-digit code to finish setting up the new account.
After signing up for your account via SSO or Password Login, you'll receive a confirmation code to your registered email. After entering the code, you'll be prompted to **Register new company**:
***
### **Complete your business profile**
1. **Tell us about your company:** Enter your company name, legal name, EIN (United States) or Business Number (Canada), company website, phone number, company type, industry, and provide a company overview. Click "Continue."
2. **Company address:** Enter your company address and then click "Continue."
3. **Tell us about yourself:** Fill out your name and job title. Click "Continue."
4. **Company representative:** Enter the details of the individual who holds ultimate control over decision-making and is authorized to enter binding agreements on the company's behalf. You will need to upload a government-issued photo ID for this person.
5. **Ownership details:** Add any beneficial owners holding 25% or more ownership. Each beneficial owner will also require a government-issued photo ID. If there are no additional beneficial owners, select Continue.
6. **Connect your bank account:** Connect your bank account via Plaid or enter your banking details manually.
7. **Set up your integration:** Connect your accounting or PSA integration if applicable.
***
### **Business Address Requirements**
Alternative Payments requires a **physical street address** for your business. PO boxes are not accepted as a business address and will be rejected at every point where an address can be entered or updated — including the onboarding form, your Company Profile, and any background sync from a connected integration.
**What counts as a PO box?**
The platform detects common PO box formats automatically, including variations such as "PO Box 100," "P.O.B. 100," "Post Office Box 100," and "Box 100." If your street address field or suite/unit field contains a PO box value, you will see one of the following inline error messages:
* *"PO boxes cannot be used as your business address. Please enter a physical street address."* — shown when a PO box is entered in the street address field.
* *"PO boxes cannot be used as your business address. Please remove the PO box from the suite or unit field."* — shown when a PO box is entered in the suite or unit field.
**If your saved address is already a PO box**
If the business address currently on file is a PO box, you will see a warning banner on your Company Profile page that reads:
> **Your business address needs updating** The address we have on file is a PO box. Card networks require a physical street address for your business, so you'll need to replace it before you can save other changes on this page.
If you see this banner, update your business address to a physical street address as soon as possible. Leaving a PO box on file may disrupt your ability to process payments.
**Private mailboxes (e.g. UPS Store suite numbers)**
Addresses that appear to be private mailboxes — such as a suite number at a commercial mail receiving agency — are flagged and reported internally but are not automatically blocked. If your business address uses a private mailbox of this kind, please contact your Customer Success Manager or so we can review your account.
**Individual and UBO addresses**
This requirement applies to your **business address** only. Residential addresses provided for individual company representatives or beneficial owners (UBOs) are governed by a separate policy and are not affected by this rule.
***
### **Setup Mode and account activation**
After completing your business profile, your account will be in **Setup Mode** while our compliance team reviews your information and verification documents. During Setup Mode:
* You can explore the dashboard, configure your settings, and set up integrations
* You can customize your billing link, branding, and email templates
* You **cannot** process live payments or accept customer payments
Verification typically takes **1 to 3 business days**. Your Customer Success Manager will notify you when your account has been approved.
***
### **Pre-go-live checklist**
Before taking your account live, make sure you have completed the following:
* [ ] Business profile and KYC verification approved
* [ ] Bank account connected
* [ ] Accounting and/or PSA integration connected (if applicable)
* [ ] Billing link configured
* [ ] Company branding (logo) uploaded
* [ ] Email notification and reminder settings configured
* [ ] Customer communication sent announcing your new payment process
* [ ] Previous payment platform deactivated (reminders off, auto-pay disabled)
Once everything is in place, your Customer Success Manager will activate your account and you're ready to start processing payments.
***
### **Adding a Payout Bank Account**
When you add a bank account for payouts, Alternative Payments verifies that the account holder name on the bank account matches your verified legal entity name on file. If there is a mismatch — for example, if your business operates under a trade name or DBA — the bank account cannot be approved until the discrepancy is resolved.
**If your bank account name does not match your legal entity name, you have two options:**
1. **Provide a letter from your bank.** Submit a letter on bank letterhead confirming that the DBA name on the account is associated with your legal entity — for example, a letter stating that "Praesto Works, Inc. is a DBA of Superior Endeavors, Inc." Contact your Customer Success Manager to submit this documentation.
2. **Add a different bank account.** Add a bank account whose account holder name exactly matches your verified legal entity name on file with Alternative Payments.
**If your legal entity name has recently changed:**
If you have obtained new EIN documentation (such as an IRS CP 575 or equivalent) reflecting your updated legal name, contact your Customer Success Manager. AP support staff can upload the EIN document on your behalf to update the legal name on file, which will allow the bank account verification to proceed.
**Once the documentation is in place:**
After the name match is confirmed — whether through a bank letter, a new bank account, or an updated EIN record — the bank account will enter a standard review period. The dashboard will show the account status as **UNDER REVIEW**. No further action is required from you during this time. You will be notified once the review is complete and the bank account is active for payouts.
***
### **Troubleshooting**
#### Voided check or bank document upload fails with an error
**Symptom:** When uploading a voided check (or other bank document PDF) during bank account setup, the upload fails. If your file is over 4 MB, you will see the message: *"The file is too large (over 4MB). Please compress it or upload only the first page."*
**Root cause:** The platform enforces a 4 MB file-size limit on document uploads. Large or high-resolution scanned PDFs commonly exceed this ceiling. The upload field accepts PDF, PNG, or JPG files up to 4 MB.
**Workaround:** Compress your PDF before uploading. A free tool such as [ilovepdf.com/compress\_pdf](https://www.ilovepdf.com/compress_pdf) can reduce most scanned documents well below the 4 MB limit. Alternatively, you can scan or export only the first page of the document, since the account number and bank details are typically on the first page.
**If you are blocked mid-account-creation:** Contact or reach out to your Customer Success Manager. The support team can upload the bank document on your behalf while you compress the file and re-attempt.
---
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