- 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)
If you choose to activate your account using the Micro-Deposit option, you will need to include the following details of your personal account held with another Canadian financial institution:
- Institution Number
- Branch Transit Number
- Personal Banking Account Number
If you choose to activate your account using the Personal Cheque option, you will need to mail us a personal cheque from your account held with another Canadian financial institution. The cheque must be made out in the amount equal to, or greater than, $25 CAD and be pre-printed with your name and address.
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 the 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.
- Joint account applicants must attend their branch appointment, together, to complete the application process.
If we are able to verify your identity during the application process, your account will be opened instantly. You will be given the choice of completing your account activation by mail or visiting a branch in order to activate it. These options are described in more detail in FAQ's below. If we were not able to verify your identity you will be asked to visit a branch to complete the final steps to open and activate your new account.
Our online application can be completed in 5 simple steps and usually takes 10 minutes or less to complete. Once the application is submitted, we'll provide you with instructions for activating your account. Depending on your eligibility and the account you are opening, you can choose your preferred method to activate your account from the following options:
Apply Online & Visit a Branch
Complete 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. We will just need you to present 2 pieces of identification and sign your Signature form.
Estimated time: 2-3 days.
Apply Online using Micro Deposit
When you complete the online application and select to activate your account using the Micro Deposit method, we will make 2 small deposits (totalling less than $1.00 CAD) to a personal deposit account you have held with another Canadian financial institution. You will need to confirm these amounts to activate your account. You will also be required to mail us your Signature form. *This option requires a printer.
Estimated time: 2-3 days.
Apply Online using a Personal Cheque
Complete the online application and simply mail us a personal cheque (payable to you) from your account held with another Canadian financial institution in the amount equal to, or greater than, $25 CAD. The cheque must be pre-printed with your name and address. This cheque will be deposited to your new RBC account. Once the cheque clears, your account will be activated. You will also be required to mail us your Signature form. *This option requires a printer.
Estimated time: 1-2 weeks
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.
Estimated 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 to identify you.
However, providing your social insurance number as part of this application process is voluntary.
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 email.
If you do not have an email address, you can visit your preferred branch to complete an application.
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 or entity not named on the account, but gives directions to the account holder as to how to deal with the funds in the account. This would not include an individual who has been granted the authority to give instructions on the account, such as a power of attorney.
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.
Electronic Statements and Notifications 1
Electronic statements and notifications are an online version of your paper statements available in PDF format (Adobe* Acrobat* required). You can view, save or print them at your convenience. With this document option, you can also 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.
- "Notifications" are legal, regulatory and other important information that is delivered in a separate document or appears on the statements themselves, including, as applicable, changes to your account agreement, pricing changes, changes to your credit limit, interest rate, payment information, introduction to new fees or information about your statement.
Important information regarding electronic statements and notifications:
Once your new account is activated, you will need to enroll in RBC Online Banking ^ to view your electronic statements and notifications. To change your document option from electronic to paper, simply sign in and, select "View and Manage Documents" under Account Services. You may also call us at: 1-800-769-2511 or visit a branch to request a paper statement. If you do not activate your RBC Royal Bank Online Banking service, or contact us to request paper statements, you will not receive a paper statement for this account.
Enrol for Online Banking (Auto-Enrolment or Self-Enrolment)
There are several ways to enrol in Online Banking, depending on your preference.
Auto-Enrolment
If you apply for a product online and your account is opened, you will be automatically enrolled in Online Banking. We will provide you with your personal client card number. Next, you will be asked to choose a password. Use your client card number and chosen password to sign in to Online Banking.
Once you have been enrolled through the auto-enrolment process, you do not need to go through the self-enrolment process listed below.
Self-Enrolment
Complete the Online Banking registration process by following our simple onscreen instructions. You will need to provide the following information:
- Your address
- Your RBC Royal Bank account details
- Answers to additional security questions
- A password
Note: Only Personal Banking clients with a valid RBC Royal Bank Client Card or RBC Royal Bank credit card can register online.
Enrol by Phone
Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-769-2555 and follow the prompts (TTY: 1-800-661-1275).Enrol in Person
Come visit us at one of our many branch locations during operating hours.Sign In to Online Banking
For instruction on how to Sign In to Online Banking, visit the Online Technical Tips page for more information.