Getting Started
FindMyStudDog.com is a dedicated marketplace connecting dog breeders with verified stud dogs. Whether you are looking for the perfect genetic match for your female or you own a quality male you want to offer, FMSD provides a safe, structured platform with built-in messaging, secure payment processing, health record verification, and a formal dispute process.
FMSD serves two types of users: stud dog owners (Sellers) who want to list their male and earn stud fees, and breeders (Buyers) who are searching for a quality stud match for their female. Both sides benefit from transparent profiles, verified health records, and a protected transaction process.
No. FMSD supports all breeds and hybrid/designer breeds. You can filter by breed, size, location, health testing status, coat type, color, service type, and more. Stud owners can set their listings to exclude mixed breed bookings, and buyers can filter accordingly.
You can browse listings without an account. You will need a free account to contact a stud owner, save favorites, or initiate a booking.
FMSD is available nationwide across the United States. Listings include location details so you can filter by proximity. Sellers offering chilled semen can serve buyers in any state. At this time there is not a "Live Cover" option
FMSD is fully accessible via mobile browser. A dedicated app may be developed at a later time.
Browsing and creating an account are free. Listing a stud and completing health verification are also free. Costs only apply when completing a transaction (Buyer Protection Fee added to buyer total, Seller Platform Fee deducted from seller automatic payout.
BUYER CATEGORIES
1. Finding and Evaluating a Stud
Use the search bar or browse by breed from the homepage. Filter by breed, location, titles, coat genetics, health testing status, coat type, size, price range, and availability. Click any listing to view the full profile before reaching out.
Yes. Log in and use the 'Save' or 'Favorite' button on any listing to build a shortlist to compare or revisit.
'Natural' means an in-person live cover breeding. 'Chilled' semen is collected, extended, and shipped overnight for use within 24-48 hours via artificial insemination. FMSD is currently only offering "Chilled" shipped semen. Live cover and Side by Side AI may be added at a later time.
Currently, genetic compatibility is the buyer's responsibility to assess. Use filters to find studs carrying the health clearances and traits your program needs, and review the full health documentation on each listing. A genetic compatibility tool is planned for a future update but is not yet available. When in doubt, consult your reproductive veterinarian or reach out to support at FMSD.
COI stands for Coefficient of Inbreeding - a percentage measuring how closely related the sire and dam are genetically. A lower COI generally indicates greater genetic diversity, associated with better health and litter viability. Ask the stud owner directly through FMSD messaging if you would like COI information for a specific pairing.
The Health Verified badge means FMSD has reviewed the submitted health documentation. It does not guarantee fertility, genetic outcomes, or breeding success. Always review the actual test results and consult your veterinarian.
2. Booking and Payment
How does the booking process work?
When you are ready to book, submit a formal booking request through the platform with your confirmed ship and collection date from your progesterone testing. The stud owner reviews your request and has 12 hours to accept or deny.
Payment
Once accepted, payment is collected securely by FMSD. Your total will include the stud fee, the seller's standard collection cost, the Buyer Protection Fee, applicable shipping calculated at checkout, and any applicable sales tax based on your state's requirements. Both parties agree to the stud service terms before the booking is confirmed.
Shipping and Delivery
The seller ships on your selected date and FMSD automatically tracks the shipment and keeps both parties updated throughout the process.
Escrow Protection
Your payment is held securely by FMSD until delivery is confirmed and a 4-day hold period clears. You are protected if something goes wrong before that point.
What payment methods are accepted?
All major credit and debit cards, ACH bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Link by Stripe are accepted. Cash, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, and any other off-platform payment method are not accepted for covered transactions. All payments must be processed through FMSD to ensure your funds are protected under our escrow and dispute resolution policies.No. The listed stud fee is the confirmed price. If you have questions about what is included in the seller's collection cost, reach out to the seller directly through the platform messaging system before submitting your booking request.
<The Buyer Protection Fee is a 6% fee added to your transaction total. Think of it the way you think about a service fee on Airbnb - you are not just paying for the transaction itself, you are paying for the experience and protections that come with using a marketplace built specifically for the breeding community.
A Verified Marketplace
Every stud on FMSD has submitted health documentation that has been reviewed and verified by FMSD administrators before the listing goes live. You are browsing a curated marketplace of health-tested studs - not scrolling through unverified posts hoping someone is telling the truth.
Search and Filtering Tools
Find the right match for your female by breed, location, health testing, coat genetics, service type, availability, and more. Tools that would take hours to replicate manually are built right into the platform.
Secure Payment Processing
Your payment is handled by a certified third-party payment processor. Every seller must complete identity verification - including government ID and tax identification - before receiving any payout. You are never sending money to an anonymous account.
Escrow Protection
Your stud fee is held securely by FMSD after payment and is not released to the seller until delivery is confirmed and a 4-day hold period clears. If something goes wrong before that point, your funds are protected.
Dispute Resolution
If a seller fails to fulfill, stops communicating, ships non-viable semen, or misrepresents their listing, FMSD reviews the case and determines the outcome.
On-Platform Communication
All messaging stays on FMSD, creating a documented record of everything agreed to before the breeding. This protects you if a dispute ever arises.
A Note on Refunds
The Buyer Protection Fee is displayed before you confirm payment - no surprises. It is non-refundable except in cases where the seller completely fails to fulfill the booking, in which case FMSD may refund both the stud fee and the Buyer Protection Fee.
Yes. By completing the booking, both parties agree to the stud service terms on the platform - including the seller's rebreeding policy and any custom terms they have set. This agreement is recorded at the time of booking and covers both parties throughout the transaction.
When you pay, funds are held securely by FMSD - not released to the seller immediately. Once delivery is confirmed via tracking and a 4-day hold passes, funds are released minus the platform fee. If a dispute is opened during the hold, payout is paused until resolution.
All payments are processed through a certified third-party payment processor. Every seller must complete identity verification - including government ID and tax identification - before receiving any payouts. Funds are held in escrow until delivery is confirmed. This verification requirement means sellers on FMSD are verified individuals, not anonymous accounts.
3. Shipping and Delivery
Sellers collect, package, and ship using accepted veterinary and industry standards for chilled specimens. Shipping is handled through the FMSD platform and tracking is automatically activated at the time of dispatch. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on your location and are listed as a separate line item so you know exactly what you are paying before you confirm your booking.
Yes. Tracking is entered through the platform by the seller and is visible from your transaction dashboard.
Carrier delays (FedEx, UPS, etc.) are outside the control of both FMSD and the seller. No automatic refund is issued. If your breeding window is missed, you may request an additional shipment subject to the seller's terms and possible additional cost. Always have your reproductive vet on standby and identify a backup stud before your female's breeding window opens. We are looking into having every shipment covered by insurance through the carriers. We are in the process of confirming this is available for this type of shipment.
Contact FMSD support immediately with your tracking number. If the package is confirmed lost and the seller properly dispatched it, FMSD will review the situation. If the seller failed to ship or provide valid tracking, FMSD may deem the booking non-fulfillable and issue a full refund. We recommend always having a backup stud identified before your breeding window opens.
Yes. You are responsible for being available for time-sensitive semen shipments. If delivery is attempted and missed, you are responsible for immediate retrieval - missed delivery is not grounds for a refund. Consider having the package shipped to a your Reproductive vet, UPS or FedEx store for convenient scheduled pickup.
Sellers may require a signature. If you waive signature confirmation, you assume all associated risks including loss, mis-delivery, or theft. Signature confirmation is strongly recommended.
4. Semen Quality and Breeding Outcomes
Do not discard it. Have it evaluated by a licensed reproductive veterinarian immediately and obtain a written report. This report is required to open a quality dispute. Claims are reviewed case by case. FMSD does not independently verify semen quality but will review all submitted evidence.
No. FMSD is a marketplace facilitator. Breeding involves biological variables outside anyone's control. No guarantee of semen viability or pregnancy is expressed or implied by using the platform.
A failed pregnancy is governed by the seller's rebreeding policy, disclosed before you book. To pursue any claim you must submit veterinary documentation - ultrasound or x-ray from a licensed vet - within 75 days of the last insemination or live cover breeding.
Breeding timing is entirely the buyer's responsibility. If a breeding fails because of improper progesterone testing or a miscalculated window, no refund or credit is available. Work with a reproductive veterinarian to confirm correct timing before ordering.
No. Puppy quality, litter size, coat, color, and temperament are biological outcomes that cannot be guaranteed by a stud listing platform. Any representation of expected puppy traits comes from the seller, not from FMSD.
5. Disputes and Refunds (Buyer)
How do I open a dispute?
Visit our Contact Us page and submit a support request using the dispute form. Select a category, describe the issue, and upload any supporting documentation.
Filing windows vary by claim type. For semen quality claims, a licensed reproductive veterinarian must perform and document the analysis on the day of delivery. The dispute must then be filed within 7 days of delivery with that documentation included. For no-pregnancy claims, the dispute must be filed within 75 days of the confirmed ship date.
FMSD reviews your submission, may request documentation, and notifies the seller who has 7 days to respond. FMSD evaluates all information and issues a final decision. Outcomes include no action, full or partial refund, platform credit, or seller penalties. FMSD's decisions are final.
Yes, assuming it's before the stud is collected. In the case its after collection but before shipping, there may be a partial refund (less the cost of the collection cost for the seller)
The Buyer Protection Fee is non-refundable. Exceptions may be granted at FMSD's discretion.
Can I get a refund after the semen ships?
It depends on the nature of the claim.
Non-viable semen on arrival
If the semen arrives non-viable, we strongly recommend booking a second shipment immediately - do not wait. Most experienced breeders book a second shipment as standard practice regardless, and with only a 3-4 day window in your female's cycle, time is critical. At the same time, submit a dispute through our Contact Us page to document the issue.
If a second shipment cannot be coordinated in time due to carrier timing, a holiday, or stud unavailability, that is grounds for a full refund of the stud fee. In that case we recommend moving to your backup stud for that cycle.
Seller failure or misrepresentation
If the seller acted in bad faith, misrepresented their listing, or failed to fulfill their obligations, a refund of the stud fee may be issued following FMSD's dispute review. The Buyer Protection Fee is non-refundable except in cases of complete seller failure.
Failed pregnancy
A failed pregnancy is not grounds for a refund - it is handled through our re-breed policy. If your female does not become pregnant, you may be eligible for a re-breed within 75 days of the confirmed ship date. See our Re-Breed Policy for full details.
All shipments are automatically insured through our shipping partner. If a carrier failure affects your shipment, submit a dispute through our Contact Us page and FMSD will file the carrier claim on your behalf. Verified carrier claims will be reimbursed for shipping costs. Coordinate your second shipment immediately - do not wait for the claim to resolve.
Any payment or agreement made outside the FMSD platform - including Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, or cash. Keep all communication and payments on-platform to be protected.
SELLER CATEGORIES
1. Listing Your Stud
From your dashboard, click "Add a Stud" and complete your listing. You'll need photos, breed and size information, your stud fee, your Standard Collection Cost, and your ship-from address.
You'll also complete health verification by uploading your genetics panel, structural testing results, and brucella test documentation. Your listing will be visible once submitted, but bookings won't open until health verification is approved by our team.
Minimum: 3-5 quality photos, breed, age, weight, stud fee, service type, location, and availability. Strongly recommended: all health test results, pedigree, titles or certifications, and a bio covering temperament and accomplishments. More health data means more bookings.
Yes. Manage multiple listings under one account - each dog has its own dedicated profile page.
Listings stay active until you pause or deactivate them - there is no automatic expiration. It is your responsibility to keep your health records and availability current.
All active listings require a Brucella test completed within the last 12 months. If your Brucella test expires, your listing will need to be updated before accepting new bookings. In an upcoming update, the platform will automatically track your Brucella test expiration and notify you when it is due for renewal.Yes. Define your rebreeding policies, timing conditions, and guarantees. These are displayed on your listing and agreed to by buyers before booking. FMSD reserves the right to decline enforcement of terms deemed unreasonable, and the FMSD Terms of Service controls in any conflict.
No. Your stud fee covers the breeding service only. Shipping and Handling is calculated automatically at checkout based on the buyer's location. Your Standard Collection Cost is set separately on your listing and is required - it cannot be left blank. No additional fees can be added or requested outside of the platform after a booking is confirmed.
Shipping and Handling is calculated automatically at checkout using real-time rates from FedEx and UPS based on your listing's ship-from zip code and the buyer's delivery address. The exact cost is shown to the buyer before they confirm their booking. You don't need to estimate or set a shipping price - the platform handles this for you and generates a prepaid label and sends you a QR code you can scan at the shipping facility.
Your collection cost is set by you on your listing and is required - it cannot be left blank. It represents the cost of semen collection and is displayed to buyers as a separate line item at checkout alongside the stud fee and shipping & Handling. Collection can be performed at a veterinary facility or at home by an experienced handler - the choice is yours. Collection costs are capped at $350 currently.
The Standard collection cost is listed separately from the stud fee to give buyers full transparency on what they are paying for and to ensure accurate tax treatment of each line item. The platform fee applies to the combined total of your stud fee and collection cost. Shipping and handling is always excluded from the platform fee calculation. No additional fees can be requested outside of the platform after a booking is confirmed.
2. Health Testing Requirements
To receive bookings on FMSD, stud dogs must have a minimum of three verified items on file: (1) a breed-specific genetic panel from an accredited laboratory, (2) at least one additional health evaluation such as OFA Hips, OFA Elbows, OFA Eyes (CAER), OFA Cardiac, or OFA Patella, and (3) a current Brucellosis test completed within the last 12 months. Listings can be created without testing but will not be bookable until all three requirements are verified. Before accepting any booking, sellers must attest to one of the following: that the female has been verified Brucellosis negative prior to breeding, or that their stud has not had a live breeding with an unverified female since their last Brucellosis test. If the stud has had a live breeding with an unverified female, a new Brucellosis test is required before the booking can proceed.
Listings with more complete health profiles receive significantly higher visibility and more bookings. Recommended: all breed-appropriate OFA evaluations, a comprehensive genetic DNA panel, and a current semen evaluation if offering chilled services. The analysis can't be uploaded but you can provide the results in the description text for your stud.
Any accredited lab including UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, Animal Genetics, Paw Print Genetics, Wisdom Panel, Embark, and others. Note that Embark does not cover every breed-specific test - for example, the DM test specific to Bernese Mountain Dogs is available through Animal Genetics but not Embark. FMSD accepts results from multiple labs.
A current negative Brucellosis test performed within the last 12 months is required for all stud dogs on FMSD before they can receive bookings. You will enter your test date as part of your listing setup. Listings without a current test date on file will not be bookable. If you have performed any live cover breedings outside of FMSD, you must ensure the female was tested negative for Brucellosis prior to that breeding — or obtain a fresh negative test before shipping chilled semen through FMSD. All sellers are required to attest to this before accepting a booking on the platform. Brucellosis is a serious contagious disease that can be transmitted through semen without direct contact between dogs. There is no approved vaccine in the United States. Keeping your test current protects your dog, the buyer's female, and the integrity of your breeding program.
Upload your health documents directly to your listing profile during the listing creation process. FMSD currently accepts PDF files and images of official test certificates. For OFA results, download your official OFA certificate from ofa.org and upload it directly - OFA certificates are available in your OFA account after your evaluation is complete. Once reviewed and verified by FMSD admin, your results will display on your public listing. If you have a direct link, it can be emailed to: admin@findmystuddog.com and we will help you get it completed.
Yes, but your stud must be at least 12 months old to be listed on FMSD. You can create your listing with whatever verified tests you have on file and update it as additional results come in. OFA hip final evaluations require a minimum age of 24 months - preliminary results are accepted for dogs under that age. Your stud becomes bookable once the two required minimum tests are verified and on file.
3. Fulfillment and Shipping
The booking is confirmed once the female owner submits payment. You will be notified via email and text. Once confirmed, your obligations are straightforward. Collect and ship semen on the confirmed booking date using accepted veterinary and industry standards for chilled specimens. Your shipping label will be emailed to you the evening before your ship date and is also available in your seller dashboard. Affix the label and hand off to the carrier — FMSD automatically tracks the shipment and keeps both parties updated. No additional fees can be requested from the buyer after a booking is confirmed. Your stud fee and collection fee are set at the time of listing and represent the full cost of your service.
Life happens, but given the time-sensitive nature of a female's breeding window, communication is critical. If you cannot collect on the confirmed date, notify the female owner immediately through the platform messaging system so the situation is documented and she can make alternative arrangements if needed. Attempt fulfillment the next available day if timing is still viable. If same-day or next-day fulfillment is not possible, contact FMSD through the Contact Us page as well so we can assist with resolution. If the booking cannot be fulfilled, FMSD may deem it non-fulfillable and the buyer will receive a full refund. Repeated fulfillment failures may result in reduced listing visibility, listing removal, or account suspension.
All communication happens through the platform so FMSD has a full record of every interaction. If a buyer stops responding after a booking is confirmed, continue to fulfill your obligation on the confirmed ship date and contact FMSD through the Contact Us page to document the situation. FMSD will attempt to reach the buyer and determine appropriate next steps. If you have fulfilled your obligations and shipped on the confirmed date, your payout will be released automatically after delivery is confirmed and the 4-day hold clears — a buyer going silent does not affect your payment.
4. Payments and Payouts (Seller)
After delivery is confirmed via tracking and the 4-day hold period clears with no dispute raised. Expect funds in your connected account within 2-5 business days after release.
Yes, in certain circumstances. Your payout may be held beyond the standard 4-day period if any of the following occur: a buyer files a dispute or semen quality claim during the hold period, questions arise about whether the booking was fulfilled as represented, a chargeback is initiated through Stripe requiring investigation, or your account is suspended or terminated. If your payout is placed on hold, FMSD will notify you promptly and begin a review. We work to resolve disputes within 7 business days, though timelines may vary depending on the information required from both parties. If the review determines you fulfilled your obligations, funds are released immediately. If the outcome is disputed, FMSD's determination is final per the Seller Agreement.
What are the platform fees? FindMyStudDog.com only charges fees on completed bookings. There is no cost to list your stud, and health verification is always free. Platform Fee The platform fee is a percentage of the stud fee and is only charged when a booking is completed. Founding Breeders — the first 300 breeders to list a stud — lock in a permanent rate of 7%. The standard rate for all other breeders is 10%. No monthly fees, no listing fees, no hidden charges. What Does the Platform Fee Cover? The platform fee is what makes the marketplace run. It covers national marketing and visibility so buyers can find your stud without you having to advertise anywhere else. It funds health document verification, secure payment processing, escrow holding and payout, shipment tracking, dispute resolution, and dedicated platform support. It also covers the ongoing development and maintenance of the tools that make FMSD work — the search filters, booking system, messaging, and everything in between. Think of it as the cost of having a full-service marketplace working for you, without needing your own merchant account, advertising budget, or admin team. When Do I Get Paid? Once delivery is confirmed and a 4-day hold period clears, funds are automatically released to your Stripe account. The platform fee is deducted at that point — you never have to chase a payment or invoice anyone. If a booking is cancelled before fulfillment, no platform fee is charged.
5. Disputes and Refunds (Seller)
FMSD notifies you and gives you 7 calendar days to respond with any supporting documentation. FMSD evaluates all information from both parties and issues a final determination. Possible outcomes include full payout, withheld payout, or a partial resolution determined case by case. FMSD's decisions are final per the Seller Agreement.
Buyer fraud is taken seriously. If FMSD determines a buyer submitted false records or misleading information, the claim is denied and the buyer's account may be suspended or permanently banned.
The buyer must provide a written veterinary evaluation documenting motility and quality findings, obtained on the day of delivery. FMSD reviews all evidence from both parties and evaluates the claim against your stated seller terms and industry standards. FMSD does not independently verify semen quality but assesses all submitted documentation to reach a determination. Sellers are strongly encouraged to obtain a semen analysis at the time of collection. A documented analysis showing viable semen quality at the time of dispatch is one of the strongest forms of evidence in your favor if a quality dispute is filed. Sellers who can provide this documentation are in a significantly stronger position to receive full payout. Outcomes vary based on the findings. Clear non-viability may result in a withheld or partial payout and a coordinated second shipment. Documentation supporting adequate semen quality at the time of delivery supports full payout. Gray area cases are evaluated individually and FMSD's determination is final per the Seller Agreement.
SHARED CATEGORIES
1. Messaging and Communication
Once logged in, click 'Contact Owner' or 'Message' on any listing. This opens a direct message thread within FMSD's built-in messaging system. All communication must stay on-platform.
On-platform messages create a verifiable record of all terms, agreements, and representations. This record is essential in any dispute. Off-platform arrangements are not covered by FMSD protections. Sharing contact information to bypass the platform violates the Terms of Service and can result in account suspension.
Do not do it. This is a violation of Terms of Service and a red flag for fraud. Report it immediately using the 'Report' button. Off-platform payments are not covered by any FMSD protections.
Yes. Email and in-app notifications for new messages. Manage preferences in account settings.
2. Account, Profile, and Reviews
Click 'Sign Up.' Register with email or connect via Google or Facebook. Account creation is free. You must be at least 18 years old.
Complete health testing, verify identity, maintain a track record of successful reviewed transactions, keep listings complete and accurate, and respond quickly to messages. FMSD displays a trust score on profiles that grows with these milestones.
Yes. After a completed transaction both parties are invited to leave a review. Reviews are tied to verified transactions only and are subject to FMSD approval before publishing. Honest positive or negative reviews are permitted. False, defamatory, or bad-faith reviews may be removed.
Use the Report button on any listing, message, or profile to flag concerning behavior directly to FMSD. For transaction disputes, submit a formal dispute through our Contact Us page with supporting documentation. Reports are reviewed by the FMSD team and appropriate action will be taken, which may include a warning, listing removal, or permanent account suspension depending on the severity and nature of the violation. All communication stays on the platform, so FMSD has a full record to reference when reviewing any report.
Deactivate a listing at any time from your dashboard. To delete your account, contact FMSD support. Transaction records are retained per the Terms of Service even after deletion.
3. Safety and Privacy
Multiple protection layers: verified profiles, on-platform messaging records, secure escrow payments, and a formal dispute process. The third-party payment processor requires identity verification including government ID and tax identification from every seller before payouts can be received - a significant deterrent to bad actors. Keep all communication and payments on-platform.
All payments are processed through a certified third-party payment processor. Funds are held in escrow after payment and released only after delivery confirmation and the 4-day hold period. Every seller must complete identity and tax verification before receiving payouts, meaning sellers on FMSD are verified individuals.
Your contact information is not shared publicly. Communication stays within the platform messaging system. FMSD does not sell personal data to third parties. See the FMSD Privacy Policy for full details.
Yes. FMSD may suspend or terminate any account for misrepresentation, fraud, policy violations, off-platform transactions, or other harmful conduct. Upon termination, access ceases immediately and pending funds are handled per the Dispute and Refund Policy.
Setting Up Your Payout Account
Stripe is the secure third-party payment processor FMSD uses to send stud fee payouts to sellers. Setting up your Stripe Connect account is how you tell FMSD where to deposit your earnings. It is required before you can receive any payout. FMSD does not store your bank details - all financial information goes directly and securely to Stripe.
You can set up your Stripe payout account at any time after creating your FMSD account. You do not need to complete it before listing your stud. However, payouts cannot be released to you until your Stripe account is fully set up and verified. We recommend completing it before your first booking so there is no delay when your first payout is ready.
Most stud owners on FMSD should select Individual. Choose Individual if you are offering stud services as a personal activity, even if you have a kennel name or breed under a registered name. Choose Company only if your breeding operation is formally registered as an LLC, sole proprietorship, or other legal business entity with its own EIN. Nonprofit does not apply to stud services.
Enter your personal full legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID or tax records - first name and last name. Do not enter your kennel name, breeding program name, or business name in this field. Stripe uses this to verify your identity and it must match your government records.
This field tells Stripe what kind of transactions to expect on your account. Enter the following: 'I offer stud dog services including chilled semen through FindMyStudDog.com. Buyers pay through the FMSD platform and I receive payouts after confirmed delivery.' This is accurate and complete for Stripe's purposes.
Enter www.findmystuddog.com. This is the platform you sell through and is the correct answer for this field. You do not need a personal website or business website of your own.
Stripe Connect setup has three steps shown in the progress indicator at the top of the screen: (1) Business type - select Individual, Company, or Nonprofit and confirm your country. (2) Business representative - enter your personal details including legal name, date of birth, address, product description, and identity verification information. (3) Bank details - add the bank account you want payouts deposited into. Complete all three steps in order to activate your payout account.
No - that is Stripe's progress stepper showing your position in the setup flow. Clicking a completed step lets you go back and review or edit it. It is not an error. Work through each step in order using the Continue button to move forward. Once all three steps are complete your account will be submitted for verification.
Stripe is required by US financial regulations - specifically Know Your Customer and anti-money laundering laws - to verify the identity of anyone receiving payments. For Individual accounts this typically (not always) means providing the last 4 digits of your SSN for lower-volume payouts, or your full SSN if your annual payouts exceed IRS reporting thresholds. This information is submitted directly and securely to Stripe. FMSD never sees or stores your SSN. Depending on your inputs, it may or may not ask for you SSN.
On the Bank details step, Stripe offers two options: (1) Link your bank account automatically by logging into your bank through Plaid - this is the fastest option for most people. (2) Enter your routing number and account number manually if you prefer. Select the account you want your FMSD payouts deposited into and click Save. You can update or change your payout account later by contacting Stripe support.
Most Individual accounts are verified immediately or within a few hours. In some cases Stripe may request additional documentation - if so you will receive an email directly from Stripe with instructions on what to submit. FMSD cannot speed up or override Stripe's verification process. Once your account is verified, FMSD will enable payouts on your account.
If you receive an error during Stripe setup, first check that all fields are filled in accurately - especially your legal name matching your government ID, and your SSN digits. If the issue persists, contact FMSD support through the Contact page with a description of the error. For issues that require direct Stripe support, we will help you identify the right contact. Do not create a second Stripe account to work around a flag - contact support first.
If you see a business category or industry field during Stripe setup, select “Animals & Pet Services” if it is available. If that option is not listed, choose the closest equivalent in this order of preference: “Agriculture,” “Veterinary Services,” or “Personal Services” as a last resort. Avoid anything in the retail, e-commerce, or financial services categories - these do not accurately describe stud services and may trigger additional review. If you do not see a business category field at all during your setup, it is not required for your account type and you can proceed without it.