Online Application Help Centre

You are eligible to open a Personal Deposit Account in Canadian dollars using this online application if you are:

• A Canadian resident, or
• A Non-Resident who is emigrating to Canada, or coming to work or study in Canada

Answering a few eligibility questions during the Getting Started step of the application will help us determine whether you are able to open a new account online and to streamline your application process.

To help make the application process easier and faster, please have the following pieces of information available when you complete the application:

• RBC Client Card (for existing clients)
• Social Insurance Number (optional)
• Two pieces of valid identification. For example:
  • Canadian driver's license
  • Canadian/Foreign passport
  • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
  • Major Credit Card
  • Canadian ABM/Bank Card
  • Health Card (except from the provinces of Ontario, PEI, Manitoba or Quebec)

You may open an account online with up to one co-applicant (also known as a joint account). We'll need to gather information for that person as well.

• Joint account application is limited to two applicants. When the joint account option is selected, each applicant will be required to provide information and submit it to us. Including, details for each of 2 valid pieces of identification.
• In order to apply for a joint account, the application must be completed and submitted in one session by both applicants who must be at the same computer at the same time.
• You can also open a joint account for up to 5 people using Online Banking provided that each applicant is an Online Banking client with an RBC Royal Bank Personal Deposit account. When opening a joint account using Online Banking, applicants need not be at the same computer at the same time.

Our online application is 4 simple steps and usually takes 10 minutes or less to complete. Once submitted, we'll provide you with a reference number and instructions for activating your account. Depending on your eligibility and the account you are opening, you can choose your preferred method from the following options:

• Apply Online & Visit a Branch
  Simply submit the online application and we'll contact you to book an appointment at your local branch to complete the process. When you visit a branch, all of your information will already be entered into our system.
• Apply Online & Mail Documents
  Complete the online application and we will mail you a welcome kit with instructions to complete the process. You’ll be required to mail us a few things like your signature, two pieces of ID, and a few other pieces of information.
• Open an Account through RBC Online Banking
  Current RBC Online Banking clients can simply sign in to Online Banking and open an account from there.
  Estimate time: Immediate

Providing your social insurance number (SIN) is not mandatory, however it does help us with the application process. Your social insurance number is a unique number, it helps us to identify you quickly and efficiently and is the best way to make sure information provided to us in a credit bureau report actually refers to you.

If we have your social insurance number, we may use it for tax related purposes if you hold a product generating income and share it with the appropriate government agencies, and we may also share it with credit reporting agencies as an aid to identify you.

However, providing your social insurance number as part of this application process is voluntary for you.

If you provide an email address, we will be able to notify you of your application status by email.

We ask for your email so that we can let you know about the status of your new account application. RBC Royal Bank will never ask you to provide confidential information like your account number, PIN number or password through regular email.

If you do not have or decide not to provide your email address you are still able to apply online and then visit your preferred branch to complete the application process.

Our online application allows you the option to apply for an account to be used on behalf of a third party. A third party is an individual, company or other entity for whom an account is operated for or on behalf of but has no signing authority on the account.

Your personal information is safe with us. At RBC, we are committed to your financial well-being, and protecting the privacy and security of the information you share with us is included in that commitment.

We diligently work to maintain our online security to the highest possible standards, and controls that we use to protect your information include:

• Robust and multi-layered security of servers and applications
• Multiple layers of internal and external firewalls which protect our online environments
• Regular reviews to ensure our security and privacy policies and standards reflect our industry leading position
• Use of Secure Socket Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption to protect the information you send or receive from our secure sites

We encourage you to visit our Privacy and Security website to learn more about how we safeguard your information.

Once you complete the online portion of the application, we will send you a Welcome Package via mail within 1 -2 business days which will include everything needed. Your new account Welcome Package will contain: step by step instructions, a signature card, account disclosures & agreements & a postage paid return envelope.

You will be asked to provide the following:

• Your signature where indicated on the signature card provided
• A personalized cheque payable to yourself from your account at another Canadian financial institution in the amount equal to or greater than $25.00 (Canadian) which will be deposited to your new RBC account
• Photocopies of two pieces of identification (one piece of identification must include a signature)

Your new account will be activated and the application process completed when:

1. We receive the required information noted above
2. We complete credit bureau inquiry
3. The cheque you send us clears successfully

Once you have completed the online portion of the application, we will contact you by telephone within 2- 5 business days to arrange an appointment with an RBC advisor.

When you visit the branch, you will be asked to provide two pieces of identification. Your new account application will be completed when you visit your selected branch.

Electronic Statement

Electronic statements are an online version of the paper statements. These online statements are available in PDF format (Adobe* Acrobat* required) and allow you to view, save or print them at your convenience. With this statement option, you can view digital images of your cheques at no charge. And the online 7-year archive gives you quick and easy access to your past statements.

Paper Statement without Cheque Images

Your monthly statement will be mailed to the address we have on file, however you will not receive images of your cancelled cheques. If you wish to view digital images of your cheques through Online Banking you will be charged a fee.