Apply for an Employer Identification
Number (EIN) Online
Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your permanent number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service that is necessary for a number of business activities such as opening a bank account, applying for business licenses and filing tax returns.

As an alternative to filing Form SS-4 you can obtain your EIN online at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html?portlet=4.