The Stripe Services Agreement is the legal agreement which governs the use of Stripe by our business users (and if you use Stripe for your personal use, see here instead). Our goal is to make your contract with Stripe simple, customizable, and fair, and this guide outlines our contracting approach - we hope you find it helpful!
The Stripe Services Agreement is divided into General Terms, which apply to every user, and product-specific terms, which only apply based on the specific services you use. It’s structured to support Stripe’s flexible, customizable, and extensive multi-product platform and to enable you to seamlessly expand into new regions and add additional services over time.
We strive to use plain language for transparency and clarity.
What documents form the Stripe Services Agreement and how are they structured?
1. General Terms The core General Terms act as the umbrella legal framework and always apply to all Stripe services. Regional Terms, embedded within the General Terms, apply based on your Stripe Account Country and contain country-specific provisions. This means that the core legal framework is consistent and country-specific laws and regulatory provisions are correctly applied.
2. Service Terms The Services Terms are additional, product-specific terms that apply when you use certain Stripe services, such as Connect, Identity, or Terminal.
The Stripe Financial Services Terms only apply if you use certain Stripe financial services, such as Payments, Issuing, and Financial Accounts. The Stripe Financial Services Terms supplement the General Terms and applicable Service Terms with provisions specific to these financial services, including requirements imposed by financial partners and governmental authorities.
The Stripe Financial Services Terms and some Service Terms contain additional Regional Terms with country-specific provisions, based on your Stripe Account Country.
3. Other Incorporated Terms Key documents incorporated into the Stripe Services Agreement include:
-
Data Processing Agreement (DPA): Governs how Stripe and you process Personal Data and includes the Data Transfers Addendum and the Data Security Exhibit.
-
Stripe Pricing Page: Details the standard fees for Stripe services.
-
Other Policies: Essential operational policies such as the Acceptable Use Policy, e-Signature Disclosure, and Marks Usage Guidelines.
Which terms control if there is a conflict?
If documents conflict, there is a clear order of precedence. Unless a lower-precedence term explicitly says otherwise, the terms apply in this order:
-
Stripe Financial Services Terms (if applicable).
-
Service Terms.
-
General Terms.
-
Other Incorporated Terms.
How do I agree to the Stripe Services Agreement?
The Stripe Services Agreement becomes effective when you first access or use any Stripe services. We may update the Stripe Services Agreement and will notify you in advance of material changes. Some updates (for example, those required by law or financial partners or that apply only to new features) may take effect immediately. If you continue to use our services after a change takes effect, that use will constitute acceptance of the updated terms.
Which Stripe entity am I contracting with?
The Stripe entity you contract with depends on your location and the specific Stripe services you use, and depending on your use-case, multiple Stripe entities may participate in delivering the full set of services. See the Definitions section of the General Terms for more information.
Stripe Services Agreement FAQs
This FAQ addresses the most frequent questions on the Stripe Services Agreement and our contractual framework.
This resource is intended to clarify the contents and rationale of the Stripe Services Agreement and does not constitute legal advice.
Contractual Framework
What documents make up my Stripe Services Agreement?
The Stripe Services Agreement is modular and customized. It consists of three core, layered components: the universal General Terms, product-specific Service Terms, and Other Incorporated Terms (DPA, pricing pages, etc.).
If terms conflict, which one wins?
In the event of any conflict, the documents are resolved using a clear order of precedence where specialized terms take precedence over general terms. The order of precedence is:
-
If applicable, Stripe Financial Services Terms.
-
Service Terms.
-
General Terms.
-
Other Incorporated Terms.
Entities and Regions
Which Stripe entity am I contracting with?
The applicable Stripe entity(s) is stated in the Definitions section of the General Terms. The Stripe entity(s) you contract with depends on your location and the specific Stripe services you use.
What is my Stripe Account Country?
The Stripe Account Country is the country associated with your Stripe Account. For example, if a corporate entity established in the US opens a Stripe Account, the default Stripe Account Country is the US. This factor dictates which country-specific provisions apply to you and which Stripe entity you contract with. The Regional Terms located in Section 13 of the General Terms contain more information.
Can my affiliates use Stripe under my account?
Your affiliates cannot use Stripe under your single account. Although your affiliates are included in the definition of your User Group, each affiliate that wishes to use Stripe services must set up its own separate Stripe Account and agree to the Stripe Services Agreement. This ensures every legal entity is properly covered by the relevant agreements and compliance requirements.
Where are the Regional Terms, and what do they cover?
Regional Terms are embedded within the General Terms, and some Service Terms. They contain country-specific provisions based on your Stripe Account Country.
Acceptance and Updates
How do I agree to the terms of the Stripe Services Agreement?
The Stripe Services Agreement becomes effective when you first access or use Stripe services.
Can Stripe change the terms of the Stripe Services Agreement?
We may update the Stripe Services Agreement and will notify you in advance of most material changes. Some updates (for example, those required by law, financial partners or that apply only to new features) may take effect immediately. If you continue to use our services after a change takes effect, that use will constitute acceptance of the updated terms.
Products and Services
Where can I find the Service Terms, and what do they cover?
The Service Terms are product-specific and are available on the Stripe Legal Page. These terms govern Stripe services such as Payments, Terminal, Identity, and Billing.
Where can I find the Stripe Financial Services Terms, and what do they cover?
The Stripe Financial Services Terms only apply if you use certain Stripe financial services, such as Payments, Issuing, and Financial Accounts, and are available on the Stripe Legal Page. These terms ensure compliance with the requirements imposed by financial partners and governmental authorities.
How do Payment Network rules (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) become part of my Stripe Services Agreement?
Financial Provider Terms are incorporated into the Stripe Financial Services Terms and Payments Terms. These mandatory terms include Payment Method Rules (like those from Visa or Mastercard) and PCI Standards.
As a platform, how is my legal relationship with Stripe and my Connected Accounts defined?
As a platform, you enter into the Stripe Services Agreement (including the Stripe Financial Services Terms, the Stripe Connect Terms, and any other relevant Service Terms) with Stripe.
Each of your Connected Accounts enters into a Connected Account Agreement (which incorporates the Stripe Services Agreement and relevant Service Terms) with Stripe. Typically a platform also enters into terms and conditions with the Connected Accounts.
If I use additional Stripe services over time, is that use covered by the Stripe Services Agreement?
The Stripe Services Agreement is structured to enable you to seamlessly expand into new regions and add additional services over time. Your use of additional Stripe services will be governed by the General Terms and any relevant Service Terms (including Service Terms that may be added as new services are launched).
Data and Policies
Where can I find information on data privacy and service restrictions?
Data privacy is primarily governed by the Data Processing Agreement, which is incorporated into the Stripe Services Agreement and includes the Data Transfers Addendum and Data Security Exhibit. Service Restrictions (or acceptable use) are found in the General Terms and product-specific Service Terms, which define product use limitations.
Help
Who can I contact with questions?
Contact Support or your Stripe representative.
This Overview and FAQ is provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.