Yes, but only for certain account types and only if you meet specific requirements
Scotiabank lets you open some accounts entirely online, but not all of them. You can open a chequing or savings account online if you are a Canadian resident with a valid government ID and a Canadian address. What you cannot do online is open a U.S. dollar account, a joint account, or an account if you are under 18 — those require a visit to a branch or a call to their phone banking team.
The online process takes about 10 minutes. You will need your Social Insurance Number, a photo ID (driver's license or passport), proof of address (a recent utility bill or bank statement), and your income information. Scotiabank will verify your identity in real time using their digital verification system, and you will get your account number and online banking access the same day.
The account opens in Canadian dollars. If you need U.S. dollar accounts, joint accounts, or accounts for minors, you will have to go to a branch or call Scotiabank's phone banking line at 1-800-472-6842 to complete the process.
Key Takeaways
- Scotiabank's online account opening works for chequing and savings accounts in Canadian dollars only, and takes about 10 minutes from start to finish.
- You need a Canadian address, a valid government photo ID, your Social Insurance Number, and proof of address to open an account online.
- Joint accounts, U.S. dollar accounts, and accounts for people under 18 cannot be opened online and require a branch visit or phone call.
- Your account number and online banking login are available the same day, but your debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- If you already have a Scotiabank account, you can add a new account online without repeating the identity verification process.
What documents you need before you start
Have these items ready before you begin the online process. Scotiabank will ask for them in this order: your Social Insurance Number, a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card), your date of birth, and your current address.
For proof of address, Scotiabank accepts a recent utility bill, a property tax notice, a lease agreement, or a bank statement from another institution — anything dated within the last 90 days with your name and address on it. A phone bill does not count. If you have just moved and do not have a document yet, you can use a lease agreement or a letter from your landlord.
You will also need to provide your employment status and annual income. If you are unemployed, retired, or a student, you can still open an account — Scotiabank does not reject applications based on income level. They ask for this information for their own record-keeping and to comply with Canadian banking regulations.
The step-by-step process
Start at scotiabank.com and click "Open an Account" in the top menu. Select "Chequing" or "Savings" depending on what you need. The system will ask you to choose between opening a new account or adding an account to an existing Scotiabank profile — if you are a current customer, select "Add Account" to skip the identity verification step.
Enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Insurance Number, and current address. Scotiabank will then ask you to upload a photo of your government ID. Take the photo in good lighting, make sure all four corners of the ID are visible, and keep the file size under 5 MB. The system accepts JPG and PDF files.
Next, upload your proof of address. Again, the document must be dated within the last 90 days and show your name and address clearly. After you upload both documents, Scotiabank's system verifies your identity automatically — this usually takes a few seconds, but can take up to 24 hours if the system flags something for manual review.
Once your identity is verified, you will choose your account settings: whether you want overdraft protection, what your preferred contact method is (email or phone), and whether you want paperless statements. You will then set up your online banking username and password. Your account opens when ready, and you can log into online banking right away.
When your debit card and cheques arrive
Your debit card is mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You cannot use it until it arrives and you set up it — Scotiabank will send you a PIN in a separate envelope. Do not throw away either piece of mail.
If you ordered cheques during the account opening process, they arrive separately, usually within 10 to 15 business days. You can start using your account for online transfers and bill payments when ready, even before your card arrives, because you have online banking access the same day.
If your card or cheques do not arrive within the stated timeframe, call Scotiabank at 1-800-472-6842 and have your account number ready. They can reorder the card or cheques and confirm the mailing address on file.
What happens if your identity verification fails
If Scotiabank's system cannot verify your identity automatically, a staff member will review your documents manually. This usually takes 24 hours. You will receive an email asking you to provide additional information — typically a second piece of ID or a clearer photo of your existing documents.
If verification still fails, Scotiabank will contact you by phone to complete the process over the phone, or they will ask you to visit a branch in person. This is rare and usually happens when the name on your ID does not match your process exactly, or when the photo is unclear.
If you are rejected, Scotiabank will tell you why in writing. You can then contact a branch to discuss whether you can open an account in person instead, or whether you need to provide different documents.
Accounts you cannot open online
Joint accounts must be opened at a branch or over the phone because both account holders need to verify their identity and sign the account agreement. Scotiabank requires both people to be present (either in person or on a three-way call) to confirm they agree to the account terms.
U.S. dollar accounts also require a branch visit or phone call. Scotiabank needs to collect additional tax information for U.S. dollar accounts under U.S. tax law, and this cannot be done through the online form.
If you are under 18, you can open a Youth account at a branch with a parent or guardian, but not online. If you are opening an account for a minor, you will need to visit a branch with the minor and proof of guardianship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Scotiabank account online if I do not have a Canadian address?
No. Scotiabank's online account opening requires a Canadian residential address. If you are moving to Canada or do not yet have a permanent address, you will need to visit a branch or call their phone banking team to discuss your options.
What if my photo ID is expired?
Scotiabank will accept an expired government photo ID for online account opening, as long as the photo is still recognizable and the ID was issued by a Canadian province or the federal government. If your ID is more than 10 years old or the photo is unclear, they may ask for a second form of ID.
Can I open an account online if I already have a Scotiabank account?
Yes. If you are already a Scotiabank customer, you can add a new account online without uploading documents again. Log into your online banking, select "Add Account," and choose the account type. The new account opens within minutes.
How long does it take to receive my debit card after opening an account online?
Your debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You cannot use it until it arrives and you set up it using the PIN that comes in a separate envelope. You can use online banking and bill payments when ready while you wait.
What if I need to deposit cash into my new account right away?
You can deposit cash at any Scotiabank branch using your account number, even before your debit card arrives. Bring a piece of mail showing your name and address as proof of identity. You can also transfer money from another bank account online once your account is open.