The first step toward processing credit card payments with Stripe in Joist is signing up for a Stripe account. We've put together a detailed step-by-step guide on how it works to help ensure everything goes smoothly for you.
If you get stuck or have questions during the signup process, you can contact Stripe Support using the link below. Their team will be happy to help.
For the best experience, complete the signup process on a desktop or laptop.
Before you begin, have the following ready:
Legal business name
Business address
Tax ID / EIN (if applicable)
Bank account information
Government-issued identification
Business registration documents (if applicable)
For quick access to a specific section, use the links below. Otherwise, scroll down to follow along step by step.
Step 1: Get Started
First, start the sign-up process by clicking here to go to the Payments section in Joist on your laptop/desktop.
Click View Options, and then click Register Now under the Stripe section.
On the following page, you'll be asked to enter the email address you'd like to use for your account and to choose a secure password for your Stripe account.
Note: Many of the fields will already be filled in automatically using information you previously entered in Joist (business details, contact info, and similar). You mainly need to review what is pre-filled and add anything Stripe still requires, rather than entering everything from scratch.
If you enter any information incorrectly, continue through the signup process. You'll have an opportunity to review and edit your information before submitting your application.
Step 2: Secure your account with an authenticator app or mobile number
After creating your password, you'll be prompted to set up multi-factor authentication using either an authenticator app or a phone number.
Once you have chosen between an authenticator app or phone number, click Next to continue the authentication process.
Step 3: Verify Business Details
On the next screen, you'll be asked for some information about your business, starting with the business location, business type, and business structure. This step happens directly inside the Joist Payments window, so you will not leave Joist to complete it.
You are a Corporation if your business is legally incorporated with the appropriate government authority in your jurisdiction.
You are a Partnership if you have a registered partnership agreement.
In all other cases, you would be considered an Individual/Sole Proprietorship.
If you're unsure which business structure applies to you, check your registration documents or contact the authority that registered your business.
The flow then continues to a business details screen collecting your legal business name, an optional “doing business as” name, your registration number, and your business address.
Note: The registration number field varies by country. This example shows a US account, which asks for an EIN instead. Canadian accounts are expected to ask for a registry ID or corporation number.
On the same screen, scroll down and continue on to add your business phone number, a customer support email, your business website, and a short product description. If you don't have a website, you can use your Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram business page instead.
When you've completed all required fields, click Continue in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Step 4: Upload a Business Document (Conditional)
In some cases, Stripe may require additional documentation to verify your business. If this step appears, make sure the document you upload clearly shows the legal business name and address you entered in the previous step.
Accepted document types depend on your business type and location, and can include a valid government-issued document, a corporate profile report, Articles of Incorporation, a business license, and similar records. Choose the option that matches the document you have on hand.
Step 5: Account Representative Details
In this step, you'll provide some personal information used to verify your identity and help prevent fraud. Stripe is also required to collect this information to remain in compliance with government regulations.
The account must be activated by an executive, senior manager, or someone who otherwise has significant responsibility for the control and management of your business. If that’s not you, select someone new as the account representative.
Your name and email address will be pre-filled based on the information you've already entered in Joist. You will have the ability to edit pre-filled information if anything needs correcting. You'll also be asked for your job title, date of birth, home address, phone number, and SSN.
Note: For the home address, make sure to include a valid street name and unit number. This has to be a home address; PO boxes cannot be used for this field.
You'll also need to scroll down and confirm whether you own 25% or more of the company and whether you're a director or member of the governing board.
Canadian businesses may have an additional checkbox to confirm if you are a director or a member of the governing board.
Step 6: Add Business Directors
For regulatory reasons, everyone who is a director of your business or has significant control of it must be listed on your Stripe account.
Click Add a business owner to add any additional business owners, directors, or individuals with significant control who must be listed.
Step 7: Add your bank details for payouts
Next, you'll need to add your banking details so that when your clients pay you, the funds are transferred from your Stripe account to your bank account.
Enter the details of the bank account where you'd like to receive payouts, then click Continue.
Step 8: Public Details (adding your statement descriptor)
Next, you'll need to add your statement descriptor. This is the information your clients will see on their credit card statements after making a payment. You will also need to add a phone number.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Continue to move on to the last step.
Step 9: Review and finish up
On this last page, if you need to modify any of the information you entered, you can do it at this point by clicking Edit in the top-right corner of each section. If any sections are incomplete, make sure they're completed before submitting. You won't be able to submit until you complete all sections.
Once all sections are complete and you've finished reviewing your information, click Agree and Submit in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
Back on the Payments page in Joist, you'll see a status card letting you know Stripe is verifying your account, along with options to book a call with a Payment Activation Specialist or view FAQs while you wait.
Once Stripe verifies your account, payment processing will be enabled in your Joist account, and you can begin collecting online payments from your clients.
You can learn more about the transaction fees for Joist Payments with Stripe by clicking this article: What's the Transaction Fee for Joist Payments with Stripe?
Need more help?
If Stripe needs any more information from you to complete your account, they will reach out to you by email with more details on the information they require. Please check your junk/spam folder just in case.
And remember, if you have any questions or need help at any stage of the signup process, the team at Stripe can be contacted through their Stripe Support page.
For questions about Joist, you can contact us through the messenger in the Help section of the app, or by email at hello@joist.com
After completing the signup process, you can access your Stripe account at any time by going to the Payments section in Joist and selecting Manage Stripe Account.