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    How to Complete Your Stripe Affiliate Onboarding

    A step-by-step guide to all the information Stripe asks for when you set up your affiliate payout account — and what happens after you submit it.

    When you register as an affiliate on Build the Drop, you are redirected to Stripe to set up a Stripe Express account. This account is how Stripe sends commission payments directly to your bank. The process takes around 5–10 minutes and requires some personal or business information. Here is exactly what you will need to provide and why.

    Step 1 — Basic personal or business information

    Stripe first asks whether you are an individual or a business. Choose the option that matches how you plan to receive income.

    • Full legal name (individual) or registered company name (business) — must match your official ID or company registration documents.
    • Date of birth (individual only) — used for identity verification.
    • Home or registered business address — the address Stripe will use for tax and compliance purposes.
    • Country of residence or business registration — determines which regulatory requirements apply to your account.

    Step 2 — Tax identification

    Stripe is legally required to collect tax information before sending money to any account.

    • For individuals in the EU: your national ID number, NIF, DNI, or equivalent tax ID.
    • For companies: your VAT number or company tax registration number.
    • For US residents: your Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN).
    • If you are not sure which number applies to you, check your national tax agency website or the documents you received when you registered as self-employed or incorporated your company.

    Step 3 — Bank account details

    This is where Stripe will send your commission payouts. Depending on your country you will need:

    • IBAN (for European accounts) — a 15–34 character code that identifies your bank account across borders. You can find it on your bank statement or online banking app.
    • Sort code + account number (for UK accounts).
    • Routing number + account number (for US accounts).
    • The account must be in your name (individual) or your company name (business). Joint accounts or third-party accounts may be rejected by Stripe.

    Step 4 — Identity verification document

    Stripe uses document verification to confirm your identity and comply with anti-money-laundering regulations. You will be asked to upload one of the following:

    • National ID card (front and back)
    • Passport (photo page)
    • Driver's license (front and back, where applicable)
    • The document must be valid (not expired), clearly legible, and show your full legal name exactly as you entered it in Step 1.
    • Stripe handles this verification automatically — no human reviews your document unless there is a discrepancy.

    Step 5 — Phone number for 2-factor authentication

    Stripe requires a mobile phone number to secure your Express account. You will receive an SMS code to verify it. This number is used for login and for receiving payout notifications.

    What happens after you submit?

    Stripe reviews your information automatically. Most accounts are verified within a few minutes. In some cases Stripe may take up to 2 business days if additional review is needed.

    1. 1You submit the form and are redirected back to your Build the Drop Affiliate dashboard.
    2. 2Your account status shows as Pending while Stripe reviews your information.
    3. 3Once Stripe approves your account, the status changes to Active.
    4. 4From this point, every commission earned is transferred to your Stripe account immediately after the referred merchant pays.
    5. 5Stripe sends funds from your Express account to your bank account on its regular payout schedule (typically 2 business days).
    Important: commissions earned while your account is Pending are not retroactively paid. Only commissions from billing events that occur after your account becomes Active will be transferred. Complete the onboarding as soon as possible to avoid missing any payments.

    Restricted account status

    If Stripe places your account in Restricted status, it usually means they need additional information or a document has expired. You will receive an email from Stripe explaining what is needed. To resolve it, click the Continue on Stripe button in your Affiliate dashboard to re-enter the Stripe onboarding flow and provide the missing information.

    Tip: keep your Stripe Express account details up to date. If your bank account changes or your identity document expires, update it directly in your Stripe Express dashboard to avoid payment interruptions.

    Related guides

    How Affiliate Commissions Are Calculated and PaidUnderstand exactly how Build the Drop calculates your commission on every referral payment, how the money reaches your bank account, and what each commission status means — no technical knowledge required.Read guide How to Use the Build the Drop Affiliate ProgramStep-by-step guide to joining the affiliate program, setting up your Stripe account, sharing your referral link, tracking your commissions, and understanding the tier system that lets you earn up to 30%.Read guide

    FAQ

    Related FAQ

    What is the Build the Drop affiliate program?
    The affiliate program lets you earn a 15% commission on every subscription paid by merchants you refer. You share your unique referral link and get paid automatically via Stripe whenever someone signs up and pays.
    How do I join the affiliate program?
    Go to your dashboard and click 'Affiliate' in the sidebar. Fill in your legal name, tax ID, and address, then click 'Create affiliate account'. You will be redirected to Stripe to complete your payout setup. Once your Stripe account is active, you will start receiving commissions automatically.
    How much commission do I earn?
    Your commission rate grows with you. You start at 15% and can reach up to 30% based on the number of active referred merchants with a paid subscription. Only paid plans (not free accounts) count toward your tier. The tiers are: Standard (up to 100 paid referrals) → 15%, Pro (101–500) → 20%, Expert (501–2,000) → 25%, Elite (2,000+) → 30%. The rate is calculated dynamically each time a referred merchant's invoice is paid.
    When and how do I get paid?
    Commissions are transferred to your Stripe account automatically when a referred merchant's invoice is paid. Payouts follow Stripe's standard transfer schedule (usually 2–7 business days). You must complete Stripe Connect onboarding before any transfers are made.
    How does the referral link work?
    Your referral link adds a ?ref=btd_xxxxxxxx parameter to the Build the Drop homepage. When someone visits via your link, their browser stores a cookie valid for 30 days. If they sign up within those 30 days, the referral is attributed to you automatically.
    View all FAQs →