> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.conduit.financial/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Counterparty Onboarding

> This guide shows how to create your first counterparty on Conduit using the Counterparty API.

This guide walks you through creating your first counterparty and adding their payment methods.

## Pre-requisites

* Active Conduit account with API access.
* API credentials (API Key and Secret).
* Completed onboarding for your first customer as shown in our [Onboarding Your First Customer](/guides/customer/onboarding-customer) guide.
* You have reviewed our [Counterparties](/core-concepts/counterparties) Core Concepts.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a counterparty">
    ### Request Example

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl --request POST \
      --url https://api.conduit.financial/counterparties \
      --header "X-API-Key: your_api_key" \
      --header "X-API-Secret: your_api_secret" \
      --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
      --header "Api-Version: 2024-12-01" \
      --data '{
        "type": "business",
        "businessName": "Office Supplies Inc.",
        "website": "https://officesupplies.com",
        "address": {
          "streetLine1": "123 Vendor Street",
          "streetLine2": "Suite 500",
          "city": "Los Angeles",
          "state": "CA",
          "postalCode": "90001",
          "country": "USA"
        },
        "email": "[email protected]",
        "phone": "+13105551234",
        "identificationType": "tin",
        "identificationNumber": "98-7654321",
        "customerId": "cus_30V7EQpemfcgMctQUjDKf1sQLtA",
        "paymentMethods": [
          {
            "type": "bank",
            "accountOwnerName": "Office Supplies Inc.",
            "bankName": "Chase Bank",
            "currency": "USD",
            "rail": ["ach"],
            "routingNumber": "123456789",
            "accountNumber": "98765432101234",
            "accountType": "checking",
            "address": {
              "country": "USA"
            }
          }
        ]
      }'
    ```

    ### Response Example

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "id": "cpty_2nqjHpNLK6wSNlFyMvZgX8SYeAO",
      "type": "business",
      "businessName": "Office Supplies Inc.",
      "email": "[email protected]",
      "phone": "+13105551234",
      "website": "https://officesupplies.com",
      "customerId": "cus_30V7EQpemfcgMctQUjDKf1sQLtA",
      "identificationType": "tin",
      "identificationNumber": "98-7654321",
      "address": {
        "streetLine1": "123 Vendor Street",
        "streetLine2": "Suite 500",
        "city": "Los Angeles",
        "state": "CA",
        "postalCode": "90001",
        "country": "USA"
      },
      "paymentMethods": [
        {
          "id": "bank_1234",
          "type": "bank",
          "rail": ["ach"],
          "bankName": "Chase Bank",
          "accountType": "checking",
          "accountOwnerName": "Office Supplies Inc.",
          "accountNumber": "98765432101234",
          "routingNumber": "123456789",
          "currency": "USD",
          "address": {
            "country": "USA"
          }
        }
      ],
      "status": "active",
      "createdAt": "2024-01-01T10:00:00.000Z",
      "updatedAt": "2024-02-15T15:45:00.000Z"
    }
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Summary

You have successfully created your first counterparty. They **must be verified before they can send or receive funds**. Use [webhooks](/developer-sections/webhooks) to track their verification status.

## What's next?

* Learn to send funds: [Create an Offramp Transaction](/guides/transaction/first-offramp-transaction)
* Set up [Webhooks](/guides/webhooks/first-webhook) to get notified when a counterparty is verified or rejected

## API Reference

See the [API Reference](/api-reference/counterparties/create-counterparty) to view request/response schemas and available fields.

## Support

Reach out to our [support team](https://support.conduitpay.com/) to get help and share your feedback.