This blog was last updated on March 18th, 2026.

In this tutorial, we will share the step-by-step process of how to open a Trading API account as a US resident. If you are not a US resident, you can visit our guide on how to open a live Alpaca Trading API account as a non US resident.

Step 1: Open a Paper Account

First, sign up for an Alpaca Trading API account using the “United States of America” as your Country of Tax Residence and input the rest of the necessary information.

After signing up, please enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), as this is a security requirement.

Note: By signing up and activating MFA, you have only created a paper account. To create a live account, please use the following steps.

Step 2: Select Your Account Type

After creating your paper account, you can select from the different account types: individual account or business account. 

For an individual account application, you will need:

  • A valid, government-issued ID (e.g., passport)
  • Personal identification details
  • A document confirming your address, if requested (e.g., recent utility bill or bank statement)

For a business account application, you will need:

  • Business Registration Documents
  • Company Formation Documents
  • Business Operating Documents (e.g. Bylaws, Operating Agreement, Charter)
  • Tax ID information for the business, Authorized Individuals, and Ultimate Beneficial Owners
  • Valid, government-issued ID for all Authorized Individuals
  • Valid, government-issued ID for every Ultimate Beneficial Owner holding 10% or more ownership of the business

Step 3: Basic Info

In this example, we are opening an individual account. After selecting this option, you will be asked to provide basic information and your country of tax residence.

If you are a US tax resident, select “Yes” and enter your current physical address and Tax ID. Otherwise, select your country of citizenship and provide your current physical address.

You can choose the Tax ID type as either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

After filling out the form, read and agree to the “custom_agreement.pdf” and “crypto_agreement.pdf” documents. You can also download these documents.

Step 4: Employment

Next, select your employment status. 

If you select “Employed,” provide your employer’s information, including your current position and function. If you select anything else, just click “Continue.”

Step 5: Financial Profile

Next, provide your financial information, including:

  • Annual Income
  • Estimated Net Worth
  • Investible / Liquid Assets
  • Account Funding Source

Step 6: Disclosures

Next, select the option that applies to you and fill out necessary information:

  • None of the below apply to me or my family
  • Affiliated or work with a US registered broker dealer or FINRA.
  • Senior executive at or 10% shareholder of a publicly traded company.
  • I am a senior political figure.
  • I am a family member or relative of a senior political figure.

If you select an affiliation option, additional information is required. At this time, Alpaca cannot send duplicate statements to employers. Accounts for affiliated persons cannot be opened without a letter from the employer’s Compliance Officer confirming that duplicate statements are not required. You will also need to provide your employer’s name, address, compliance email, and ticker symbol if the company is publicly traded.

If you select a political exposure option, applications involving politically exposed persons are reviewed by Alpaca’s AML committee before approval. Additional documentation may be requested.

Step 7: KYC

Finally, complete identity verification by consenting to the biometric and personal data processing terms. Select “Accept” to proceed with the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, where you will be prompted to take a live selfie to confirm your identity.

Our team may require additional information or documentation during the process. Your dashboard will show your application status and any further items needed. After completing KYC and being approved by Alpaca, you will receive an email confirming your registration along with a prompt to fund your live account. You can read our guide on how to fund your Alpaca Trading API account for next steps.

Conclusion

With your funded Trading API account, you can start trading stocks, ETFs, crypto, and options. In the Alpaca dashboard, you can also enroll in our High-Yield Cash offering* and Stock Lending program** to earn passive income on your portfolio. 

You may also qualify for the Elite Program based on your net deposits:

If you’d like to learn more about trading algorithmically with Alpaca’s Trading API, explore the resources below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to open a US live account?

You must be a US tax resident, 18 years or older, and have a valid Social Security Number (SSN).

For identity verification (KYC), domestic accounts are typically processed through Trulioo. If automated verification fails, you may be asked to upload further verifying documents such as a government issued ID or proof of address.

Can I open an account if I am on a visa such as H1B?

Yes, as long as you have a valid US SSN and are a US tax resident.

Can I use an ITIN instead of an SSN?

Yes. An ITIN can be used, but it typically requires manual verification, including submission of your ITIN letter or card.

Why is my application pending?

Common reasons include:

  • Address mismatch, where your provided address does not match independent databases
  • Name mismatch, such as a typo or use of a nickname instead of your legal name
  • A pending document request, where we are waiting for you to upload a photo ID or utility bill for verification

Can I open an entity or business account?

Yes. US entity accounts such as LLCs or C Corporations are supported but require a manual application process.

You must submit documents including Articles of Incorporation, an Operating Agreement, and the EIN Tax ID. All beneficial owners with 10 percent or more ownership must also complete KYC.

Can I have multiple Trading API accounts?

Yes. Each user may have up to 3 paper trading accounts and 1 live trading account.

Is there a minimum deposit?

There is no minimum deposit required to open an account.

However, you must maintain at least $2,000 in equity to use margin leverage. Accounts with less than $2,000 must trade fully funded without leverage.

How do I fund my account?

US residents can fund their accounts via ACH linked bank account or wire transfer.

ACH is the most commonly used funding method for domestic users.

*‘Alpaca Securities offers a cash management program pursuant to the FDIC Bank Sweep. Customer funds are treated differently and are subject to separate regulatory regimes depending on whether customer funds are held in their brokerage account or within the FDIC Bank Sweep. Alpaca Securities is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash). The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures up to $250,000 per deposit against the failure of an FDIC member bank. Customer funds held in brokerage accounts are SIPC insured, but are not eligible for FDIC insurance coverage. Funds maintained in the FDIC Bank Sweep are intended to be eligible for pass-through FDIC insurance coverage but are not covered by SIPC. FDIC insurance does not protect against the failure of Alpaca, Alpaca Securities, or their affiliates, nor against malfeasance by their employees. Program banks that participate in the FDIC Bank Sweep are not members of SIPC, and therefore, funds held in the Program are not SIPC protected. Please see alpaca.markets/disclosures for important additional disclosures regarding Alpaca Securities brokerage offering, as well as FDIC Bank Sweep terms and conditions.

**Please note that this is currently only available to US-based Alpaca users.

Please read Important Risk Disclosures With Respect To Participating In Fully Paid Securities Lending Transactions carefully before deciding whether to participate in lending Fully Paid Securities or agreeing to enter into a Master Securities Lending Agreement with Alpaca Securities LLC.

These disclosures describe important characteristics of, and risks associated with engaging in, securities-lending transactions. 

Alpaca Elite users earn 50% of the interest income, while all users are guaranteed 20% of the interest income. For more information on Alpaca Elite please see the terms and conditions.

The content of this article is for general information purposes only. Alpaca does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Please consult your own independent advisor as to any investment, tax, or legal statements made herein.

The Paper Trading API is offered by AlpacaDB, Inc. and does not require real money or permit a user to transact in real securities in the market. Providing use of the Paper Trading API is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities, securities derivative or futures products of any kind, or any type of trading or investment advice, recommendation or strategy, given or in any manner endorsed by AlpacaDB, Inc. or any AlpacaDB, Inc. affiliate and the information made available through the Paper Trading API is not an offer or solicitation of any kind in any jurisdiction where AlpacaDB, Inc. or any AlpacaDB, Inc. affiliate (collectively, “Alpaca”) is not authorized to do business.

Commission free trading is available to Alpaca's retail customers. Commission free trading means that there are no commission charges for Alpaca self-directed individual cash brokerage accounts that trade U.S.-listed securities and options through an API. However, certain arrangements with authorized business partners or the use of the Elite Smart Router as part of the Alpaca Elite offering may preclude commission free trades by Alpaca Securities. Please refer to the Brokerage Fee Schedule for more information. Relevant regulatory fees may apply. Alpaca reserves the right to charge additional fees if it is determined that order flow is non-retail in nature.

Past hypothetical backtest results do not guarantee future returns, and actual results may vary from the analysis.

All investments involve risk, and the past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives. Please note that diversification does not ensure a profit, or protect against loss. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities, or other financial products. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing.

Options trading is not suitable for all investors due to its inherent high risk, which can potentially result in significant losses. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing in options.

Securities brokerage services are provided by Alpaca Securities LLC (dba "Alpaca Clearing"), member FINRA/SIPC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AlpacaDB, Inc. Technology and services are offered by AlpacaDB, Inc.

This is not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities or open a brokerage account in any jurisdiction where Alpaca Securities is not registered or licensed, as applicable.