Open an account

No, it is not necessary to make a minimum deposit to open a personal deposit account. However, you may find it convenient to set up direct deposits for government payments and/or your paycheque. If you have any questions or would like assistance setting up your direct deposit, please ask our staff.

No, having a permanent address is not necessary, but we are required by law to ask you about your address. We may ask for a supporting document, such as a recent utility or tax bill, which includes both your name and address.

No, being employed is not a requirement, but we are required by law to ask you about your employment.

Yes, you can. Your credit history does not come into consideration when opening a personal deposit account as long as it does not contain derogatory information that was the result of fraud or other illegal activity. However, if you would like to request overdraft protection, our normal credit policies and procedures will apply.

It is not required, but it is a good way to help us protect you and get to know you better.

When you open a personal deposit account with us, you will be required to present identification or documents using one of the following methods:

• One piece of government-issued photo identification from the list of Acceptable Government-Issued Photo Identification; or
• Documents from two independent reliable sources from the list of Acceptable Dual Process Documents/Identification; or

If you are unable to present identification or documents following either of the methods above, you will be required to present to us:

• Two pieces of personal identification from those listed in Part A or B of the Schedule of Acceptable Identification (see below), at least one of which must be from Part A of the Schedule of Acceptable Identification, or
• One piece of identification from those listed in Part A of the Schedule of Acceptable Identification, if your identity is also confirmed by a client in good standing with Scotiabank or by an individual of good standing in the community where your branch is located.

For individuals under the age of 12 years, we ask that a parent or legal guardian open the account for the minor and that the parent or legal guardian provide original acceptable government-issued photo identification or documents from two independent reliable sources to confirm his or her own identity. In addition, if in your capacity as legal guardian for a minor, you ask us to open an account for the minor, you must provide us with a certified copy of the legal document verifying your guardianship.

For individuals 12 – 15 years of age, we ask that the individual confirm his or her own identity by providing either:

• One piece of original acceptable government-issued photo identification or documents from two independent reliable sources; or
• One document from the minor containing their name and date of birth and one document from the parent or guardian containing their name and address; or
• One piece of acceptable identification if your identity is also confirmed by a client in good standing in the community where your branch is located.

The identification or documents that you present to us must be original, valid and not substantially defaced. We reserve the right to contact the issuer of any identification document you present to us in order to verify that document and we will record the particulars of any identification document that you present to us.

If the name shown on one of the pieces of identification or documents presented by you differs from the name shown on any other piece of identification or documents presented by you, you are required to provide us with a certificate evidencing the change of name (or a certified copy of that certificate) or other document supporting the change.

In addition to the identification/documents you are required to present to us, you must also disclose to us the following information, if it is not available on the pieces of identification that you present:

• your full name
• your home address, if any
• your date of birth, and
• your occupation or type of business, if any.

In some instances, we may need to further investigate and verify the identification and/or information that you have provided prior to opening an account for you. We can refuse your request to open a personal deposit account for certain legal reasons, but if we do, we'll inform you about this in writing.

Acceptable Government-Issued Photo Identification

• A valid driver’s license issued in Canada, as permitted to be used for identification purposes under provincial law; (Quebec legislation prevents us from asking for your driver’s license, however, you may volunteer it.)
• A valid Canadian passport;
• A Certification of Naturalization, in the form of a paper document or card. We do not accept Commemorative certificates;
• A Canadian Citizenship card issued prior to 2012
• A Permanent Resident Card;
• A Citizenship and Immigration Canada Form IMM 1442 (Temporary Resident Permit, Work Permit, Study Permit or Visitor Record);
• A provincial or territorial health insurance card containing a photo, if provincial or territorial law permits us to use it for identification purposes.

Notes:
(1) Health cards from Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, PEI and Yukon cannot be used for identification purposes, even if offered by the customer.
(2) Health cards from British Columbia, and Quebec (which we cannot ask for, but can take, if offered), are acceptable as ID in any province or territory including Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, PEI and Yukon.

• A secure certificate of Indian Status issued by the Government of Canada;
• Any one of the following identification cards bearing your photograph and signature, issued by a provincial or territorial authority with the exception of Quebec:
• British Columbia Enhanced ID
• British Columbia Services Card
• Alberta Photo ID Card
• Saskatchewan Non-Driver Photo ID
• Nova Scotia Identification Card
• Prince Edward Island Voluntary ID
• New Brunswick Photo ID Card
• Newfoundland and Labrador Photo ID Card
• Northwest Territories General ID Card
• Nunavut General ID Card
• Manitoba Enhanced Identification Card
• Ontario Photo Card
• Yukon General ID Card
• A DND 404 Driver’s Licence
• A Canadian Forces Card
• A Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence
• A valid foreign passport
• A valid driver’s licence
• A Nexus Card
• A Canpass Card
• A Global Entry Card
• A National Identity Card
• A U.S. Permanent Resident Card¹
• A U.S. driver’s licence<sup>2
  
  1 Valid only for residents of the U.S.
  2 Valid only for residents of the U.S.</sup>

Acceptable Dual Process Documents/Identification Documents to verify name and date of birth

• A Canada Pension Plan (CPP) statement of contributions
• An original birth certificate
• A marriage certificate or government-issued proof of marriage document (long-form which includes date of birth)
• Divorce documentation
• A Canadian Citizenship certificate
• A temporary driver’s licence (non-photo)
• A Canadian insurance document (home, auto, life)

Documents to verify name and address

• A Canada Pension Plan (CPP) statement
• A municipal property tax assessment
• A provincially-issued vehicle registration
• A federal, provincial, territorial or municipal benefits statement
• Any one of the following CRA documents:
• A notice of assessment
• A requirements to pay notice
• An installment reminder/receipt
• A GST refund letter
• A benefits statements
• A Canadian utility bill
• A Canadian T4 statement
• A Canadian record of employment
• A Registered account statement (for example, RRSP, GIC) from a Canadian financial institution
• A travel visa

Documents to verify name and confirm a financial account

• A credit card statement
• A bank statement
• A loan account statement
• An email or letter from a financial entity holding a deposit account, credit card or loan account

Schedule of Acceptable Identification
This list is provided per the "Access to Basic Banking Services Regulations" under the Bank Act (Canada).
Part A

• A valid driver's license issued in Canada, as permitted to be used for identification purposes under provincial law
• A valid Canadian passport
• A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or a Certification of Naturalization, in the form of a paper document or card, but not a commemorative issue
• A Permanent Resident card or Citizenship and Immigration Canada document
• A provincial or territorial health insurance card, as permitted to be used for identification purposes under provincial law. Health cards from Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, PEI and Yukon cannot be used for identification purposes, even if offered by the customer. Health cards from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Quebec (which we cannot ask for, but can take, if offered), NWT, Yukon, Nunavut are acceptable as ID in any province or territory including Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and PEI.
• A Certificate of Indian Status issued by the Government of Canada
• A document or card, bearing your photograph and signature, issued by any of the following authorities:
• Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
• Alberta Registries
• Saskatchewan Government Insurance
• Department of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations
• Department of Transportation and Public Works of the Province of Prince Edward Island
• Service New Brunswick
• Department of Government Services and Lands of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Department of Transportation of the Northwest Territories
• Department of Community Government and Transportation of the Territory of Nunavut
• A Social Insurance Number (SIN) card issued by the Government of Canada. Note that we cannot accept a letter of confirmation of your SIN as ID. We may require you to tell us your SIN when you open an interest or income-bearing account to meet Canada Revenue Agency tax reporting requirements.
• An Old Age Security card issued by the Government of Canada
• A birth certificate issued in Canada

Part B

• A credit card, issued by a member of the Canadian Payments Association in your name, or bearing your name and bearing your signature
• A Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) client card bearing your photograph and signature
• An employee identity card, issued by an employer that is well known in the community, bearing your photograph
• A bank or automated banking machine or client card, issued by a member of the Canadian Payments Association in your name, or bearing your name, and bearing your signature (the card must be embossed with your name)

We reserve the right to verify any identification presented by you, with the issuer.