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

# Create external account

> Save an external bank account as a recipient for outbound transfers.

Creates a saved external account that can be used as a destination for [transfers](/api-reference/move-money-externally). External accounts represent bank accounts outside of Lemma, such as a vendor, payroll provider, or another financial institution.

External accounts cannot be edited after creation. If you need to change account details, archive the existing external account and create a new one. See [Saved recipients](/api-reference/saved-recipients) for more on why.

<Warning>
  The `nickname` is visible to the account owner on their Lemma dashboard.
  Choose something descriptive and recognizable (e.g., "Owner's Personal
  Account" rather than "Acct 4821"). We recommend making nicknames unique within
  a provider.
</Warning>

## Headers

<ParamField header="Idempotency-Key" type="string" required>
  A key that prevents creating a duplicate external account if the same request
  is retried. Reusing a key returns the originally created account instead of
  saving a second one. See [Idempotency](/api-reference/idempotency).
</ParamField>

## Request body

<ParamField body="entity_id" type="string" required>
  The ID of the entity this recipient belongs to.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="nickname" type="string" required>
  A human-readable label for this recipient. Displayed on the Lemma dashboard
  and in transaction history.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="holder_type" type="string" required>
  Whether the account holder is a business or an individual. One of `business`
  or `individual`.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="routing_number" type="string" required>
  The 9-digit ABA routing number of the recipient's bank.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="account_number" type="string" required>
  The bank account number. Digits only.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="holder_name" type="string" required>
  The legal name of the account holder.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="holder_address" type="object" required>
  The account holder's mailing address. Must be a US address.

  <Expandable title="Address fields">
    <ParamField body="line1" type="string" required>
      Street address.
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="line2" type="string">
      Apartment, suite, or unit number.
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="city" type="string" required>
      City name.
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="state" type="string" required>
      Two-letter US state code.
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="postal_code" type="string" required>
      ZIP code.
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="country" type="string" required>
      ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code. Must be `US`.
    </ParamField>
  </Expandable>
</ParamField>

## Response

Returns the created external account object.

<ResponseField name="id" type="string">
  Unique identifier for the external account, prefixed with `external_account_`.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="entity_id" type="string">
  The ID of the entity that owns this external account.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="nickname" type="string">
  The human-readable label for this external account.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="holder_type" type="string">
  `business` or `individual`.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="routing_number" type="string">
  The routing number of the account holder's bank.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="account_number" type="string">
  The external account's account number.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="status" type="string">
  The external account's status. Always `active` on creation.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="created_at" type="string">
  [ISO 8601](/api-reference/timestamps) timestamp of when the external account
  was created.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseExample>
  ```json 200 theme={null}
  {
    "id": "external_account_Bx5nTm8hKw3pVd7c",
    "entity_id": "entity_k7mXp2vR9nTfBw4s",
    "nickname": "Quest Diagnostics Operating Account",
    "routing_number": "021000021",
    "account_number": "123456789",
    "status": "active",
    "created_at": "2026-03-20T18:45:00Z"
  }
  ```

  ```json 400 theme={null}
  {
    "error": "holder_address.line1 is required"
  }
  ```
</ResponseExample>