Demat Account (Zerodha) Documents Required (Complete List)

Zerodha account opening needs very few documents — PAN, Aadhaar linked to mobile, and a bank proof. Everything is uploaded online. Income proof is only needed if you want F&O trading.

Required Documents

Mandatory Documents

  • PAN Card — number and image required, mandatory for any trading account in India
  • Aadhaar Card — must be linked to your active mobile number (for eKYC and eSign)
  • Bank Proof — personalised cancelled cheque, bank statement, or passbook front page showing name, account number, IFSC, MICR, and bank seal/logo
  • Signature — scanned on white paper using blue/black ballpoint or ink pen (no markers or pencils)

For In-Person Verification (IPV)

  • Live selfie captured via webcam or phone camera (no uploads of old photos)
  • Well-lit space — face must be clearly visible, no mask, no sunglasses, no filters
  • Working front camera and microphone
  • Stable internet connection

For F&O Segment (Optional)

  • Latest 6-month bank statement, OR
  • Latest ITR acknowledgement, OR
  • Latest salary slip, OR
  • Form 16 (current or last financial year), OR
  • Demat holding statement showing holdings worth Rs. 10,000 or more

Who Cannot Open Zerodha Online

  • Minors (below 18) — can only be opened offline through a guardian who already has a Zerodha account
  • NRIs — must use the offline NRI process (cannot open online)
  • HUF, partnership, and company accounts — offline process only
  • Anyone without an Aadhaar number linked to an active mobile

Personal Information Needed

  • Active mobile number (for OTP)
  • Email address
  • Father's name and mother's name (must match PAN records)
  • Marital status and occupation
  • Annual income bracket
  • Nominee details — name, relationship, DOB, percentage share (up to 3 nominees, totalling 100%)

File Format & Size Rules

DocumentFormatMax Size
PAN CardJPG, PNG, or PDF5 MB
SignatureJPG or PNG (white paper, blue/black pen)5 MB
Bank Proof (cheque / statement / passbook)JPG, PNG, or PDF5 MB
Income Proof (for F&O)PDF5 MB
Selfie (IPV)Captured via webcam/appAutomatic

Tips to Avoid Document Rejection

  • Make sure your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar before starting — this is the biggest blocker
  • Use a personalised cancelled cheque if available — it's the cleanest bank proof and avoids IFSC/MICR issues
  • Keep PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account names identical in spelling — any mismatch causes a hold
  • Sign on plain white paper with a blue/black ballpoint pen — never use a marker or pencil
  • Take IPV selfie in daylight with a plain background — no mask, no sunglasses, no filter
  • Add your nominee details during the application — skipping leads to a frozen account later (SEBI rule)
  • Enable F&O only if you upload income proof — otherwise it stays disabled
  • Account activation takes 24-48 working hours after eSign — do not fund it before you receive the welcome email
Follow the Step-by-Step Guide