How to Start on OnlyFans in the US
A plain step-by-step guide to opening your account, getting paid and protecting your privacy
From New York and Los Angeles to college towns nationwide, more women in the United States are looking into OnlyFans as a way to earn an income. Opening an OnlyFans account takes less than an hour. Doing it well takes a little more planning, and this guide walks you through each step.
What you need before you start
You must be at least 18 years old. You need a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport), a phone or camera for your photos and videos, an email address, and a bank account in your own name for payouts. Before anything else, check what the law says in the US about creating and selling adult content, because rules differ between countries and can change. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Step 1: Create your account
Sign up on the platform with an email address and choose a stage name and username. Pick a name that is not your real name and does not appear anywhere else under your identity, so a search for you does not lead to your account. You can sign up on OnlyFans here (referral link).
Step 2: Verify your identity
The platform asks creators to confirm their identity with a photo of an official document (driver's license or passport) and a selfie. This is required before you can earn, and it is for the platform only, not for your followers. Use your real details here, even if your public name is different.
Step 3: Set up your payouts
Add the bank account where you want to be paid, in your own name. The platform keeps 20% of what you earn, and the rest is paid out to you.
Step 4: Build your profile
Add a profile photo and a short bio, and decide whether your page is free or paid. Start with a few posts so new visitors see content when they arrive. Consistency matters more than perfection: a simple schedule you can keep is better than a big start that fades.
Step 5: Protect your privacy
Turn on the country blocking tool and block the United States, along with the regions where you do not want to be found. Use your stage name everywhere, check your photo backgrounds for anything that identifies you, and keep your personal social media accounts separate. Blocking helps but is not perfect, so treat privacy as something you keep up, not a one-time setting.
Taxes and money in the US
Income from content is normally taxable. The tax office in the US is the IRS. Keep a record of what you earn and the fees you pay, and speak to a local accountant before your first payout. We cannot give tax advice, and every situation is different.
Doing it alone or with an agency
Many creators find the hard part is not opening the account but everything after it: answering messages every day, planning content, promoting on social media and keeping a steady income. LanaModels is a management agency that handles chatting, marketing and growth, pays a fixed monthly salary of up to USD 1,500, paid weekly, and blocks your country so people you know cannot find your page. Read our guide on what to check before you sign with any agency, then decide what suits you.