How To Open a Demat Account in No Time: A Beginner Friendly Guide

  • Written By : Ravi Singhal ( CEO )
  • May 3, 2023

Do you want to know how to open a demat account but not sure where to begin? As a brokerage firm with more than 15 years of experience, we know it can be confusing . Don’t worry, though! We’ve helped a lot of people just like you get through this process, and we’re here to do the same for you. With our step-by-step guide, you’ll have a demat account set up quickly and easily.

Let’s get started!

We assume you understand what a demat account is given that you are here. Nevertheless, here is an easy-to-understand definition before we outline the steps required to open one:

A demat account is a special type of account that is used to hold financial assets like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in the form of electronic certificates instead of physical certificates. 

Opening Demat Account: Quick Overview

Now that we’ve gotten the definition of demat account out of the way, let’s take a quick look at the steps you need to take. Here goes:

  • Select a depository participant (also known as a brokerage firm).
  • Fill out the brokerage firm’s demat account application form.
  • Submit your documents for KYC.
  • Pay the fees to the brokerage firm.
  • Give the brokerage firm a few days to activate your demat account.

So, that’s the big picture of what it takes to open a demat account, but it’s important to know what each step entails. This includes being aware of the brokerage company you should select as your depository participant and the paperwork you need to submit.

Read on for all the necessary information.

A Deep Dive into Demat Account Opening Process

If you’re new to the world of investing or looking to switch to a new broker, opening a demat account is an essential first step.. In the past, opening a demat account required a lot of physical paperwork and a visit to the broker’s office. However, with the advent of online trading platforms, the process has become much more straightforward, eliminating the need for physical paperwork.

In this section, we’ll explore every aspect of the demat account opening process in detail. After you finish reading it, you’ll have everything you need to know to get started on your investment journey. So, let’s dive in!

Step 1: Research Different Demat Account Providers:

Choose a demat account provider based on your specific needs and requirements. Consider fees, ease of use, customer support, and available investment options.  (We will go over this in more detail later in this guide.) 

Step 2: Fill Out The Demat Application Form:

Most Demat Account providers offer the option to fill out an application form online. You will need to provide personal information such as your name, address, and PAN number, as well as details about your financial background and investment experience.

Step 3: Provide Demat Documentation :

You will need to provide proof of identity, such as a passport or PAN card, as well as proof of address, such as a utility bill. These documents will be used to verify your identity and address. This process is usually called KYC, short for “know your customer.”

It is important to have these documents readily available before starting the demat account opening process to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.

To open a Demat account, you need to provide certain documents as proof of identity, address, and income for the KYC process. Here is a list of the required documents:

Proof of Identity:

  • PAN card with a valid photograph
  • Any document with a Unique Identification Number (UID), such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID card, or driving license
  • Ration card (with photograph)
  • Identity card or document with photo issued by government bodies, statutory or regulatory authorities, public sector undertakings, scheduled commercial banks, public financial institutions, university-affiliated college credit/debit cards, or member IDs issued by professional bodies like ICAI, ICSI, ICWAI, or Bar Council.

Proof of Address:

  • Passport
  • Voter’s card
  • Ration card
  • Registered lease/sale agreement of current residence
  • Driver’s license
  • Utility bill (not older than 3 months)
  • Insurance copy
  • Bank account statement or passbook (not more than 3 months old)
  • Address proof issued by government bodies, statutory or regulatory authorities, public sector undertakings, scheduled commercial banks, public financial institutions, university-affiliated colleges, or professional bodies like ICAI, ICWAI, ICSI, or Bar Council.
  • Self-declaration by high court/supreme court judge
  • Spouse’s address proof (in spouse’s name)

Proof of Income:

  • Income Tax Return copy
  • Net Worth Certificate certified by a Chartered Accountant
  • Salary proof
  • Demat account holdings statement with other Depository Participant
  • Current bank account statement showing the history of past 6 months income before the date of application

Additionally, you will also need to provide a bank account proof (such as a cancelled cheque or passbook) and a recent passport-sized photograph. Make sure that all the documents are valid and not expired before submitting them for the account opening process.

Step 4: Link Your Bank Account To Your Demat Account:

You will also be required to submit a canceled cheque or bank statement to link your demat account to your bank account. Once you have submitted the necessary forms and documents, the brokerage form will verify your information and activate your account.

Step 5: Fund Your Demat Account:

Once your Demat Account has been approved, you will need to transfer funds into your account. This can typically be done via a bank transfer, cheque, or online payment.

Step 6: Start Trading with Your Demat Account:

Once your Demat Account is funded and active, you can start buying and selling securities. Simply log into your account, select the security you want to trade, and execute the trade.

By following these simple steps, you can easily open a Demat account and start trading in the stock market. Just make sure you choose a good depository participant, fill out your application form correctly, and do what you need to do to verify your identity and transfer money into your account.

Open Your Demat Account in just 5 Minutes

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Beware of fraud calls asking you to transfer money for investing and promise higher return on behalf of GCL. We never promise any kind of return. Please also verify bank details of GCL or call on number available on website before transferring money.

Attention Investors :
  1. Prevent unauthorised transactions in your account -- Update your mobile numbers/email IDs with your stock brokers. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchange on your mobile/email at the end of the day .......... Issued in the interest of Investors

  2. KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary.

  3. Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat account -- Update your Mobile Number with your Depository Participant. Receive alerts on your Registered Mobile for all debit and other important transactions in your Demat Account directly from CDSL on the same day...............issued in the interest of investors.

  4. No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorize your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account.

  5. Filling compliant on SCORES - Easy & Quick.

    • a) Register on SCORES portal. b) Mandatory details for filing complaints on SCORES. i) Name, PAN, Address, Mobile Number, E-mail ID. c) Benefits: i)Effective Commincation ii) Speedy redressal of the grievances

  6. Stock Brokers can accept securities as margin from clients only by way of pledge in the depository system w.e.f. September 01, 2020.

  7. Update your email id and mobile number with your stock broker / depository participant and receive OTP directly from depository on your email id and/or mobile number to create pledge.

  8. Check your securities / MF / bonds in the consolidated account statement issued by NSDL/CDSL every month.

Advisory – KYC Compliance :
  1. All investors are requested to take note that 6 KYC attributes i.e., Name, PAN, Address, Mobile Number, Email id and Income Range have been made mandatory. Investors availing custodian services will be additionally required to update the custodian details.

  2. Investors may contact their respective stockbrokers / depository participants for updation of details in their trading / demat account.

  3. The last date to update KYC is on or before March 31, 2022.

  4. Thereafter non-compliant trading accounts will be blocked for trading by the Exchange.

  5. The non-compliant demat accounts will be frozen for debits by Depository Participant or Depository.

  6. On submission of the necessary information to the stockbroker and updation of the same by the stockbroker in the Exchange systems and approval by the Exchange, the blocked trading accounts shall be unblocked by the Exchange on T+1 trading day.

  7. The demat account shall be unfrozen once the investor submits the deficient KYC details and the same is captured by the depository participant in the depository system.

  8. To ensure smooth settlement, the investors are requested to ensure that both the trading and demat accounts are compliant with respect to the KYC requirement.

  9. The investors are hereby requested to comply with the regulatory guidelines issued by Exchanges and Depositories from time to time with regard to KYC compliance and related requirements.

Investor Advisory
  • Beware of fixed/guaranteed/regular returns/ capital protection schemes. Brokers or their authorized persons or any of their associates are not authorized to offer fixed/guaranteed/regular returns/ capital protection on your investment or authorized to enter into any loan agreement with you to pay interest on the funds offered by you. Please note that in case of default of a member claim for funds or securities given to the broker under any arrangement/ agreement of indicative return will not be accepted by the relevant Committee of the Exchange as per the approved norms.

  • Do not keep funds idle with the Stock Broker. Please note that your stock broker has to return the credit balance lying with them, within three working days in case you have not done any transaction within last 30 calendar days. Please note that in case of default of a Member, claim for funds and securities, without any transaction on the exchange will not be accepted by the relevant Committee of the Exchange as per the approved norms.

  • Check the frequency of accounts settlement opted for. If you have opted for running account, please ensure that your broker settles your account and, in any case, not later than once in 90 days (or 30 days if you have opted for 30 days settlement). In case of declaration of trading member as defaulter, the claims of clients against such defaulter member would be subject to norms for eligibility of claims for compensation from IPF to the clients of the defaulter member. These norms are available on Exchange website at following link: https://www.nseindia.com/invest/about-defaulter-section

  • Brokers are not permitted to accept transfer of securities as margin. Securities offered as margin/ collateral MUST remain in the account of the client and can be pledged to the broker only by way of ‘margin pledge’, created in the Depository system. Clients are not permitted to place any securities with the broker or associate of the broker or authorized person of the broker for any reason. Broker can take securities belonging to clients only for settlement of securities sold by the client.

  • Always keep your contact details viz. Mobile number/Email ID updated with the stock broker. Email and mobile number is mandatory and you must provide the same to your broker for updation in Exchange records. You must immediately take up the matter with Stock Broker/Exchange if you are not receiving the messages from Exchange/Depositories regularly.

  • Don't ignore any emails/SMSs received from the Exchange for trades done by you. Verify the same with the Contract notes/Statement of accounts received from your broker and report discrepancy, if any, to your broker in writing immediately and if the Stock Broker does not respond, please take this up with the Exchange/Depositories forthwith.

  • Check messages sent by Exchanges on a weekly basis regarding funds and securities balances reported by the trading member, compare it with the weekly statement of account sent by broker and immediately raise a concern to the exchange if you notice a discrepancy.

  • Please do not transfer funds, for the purposes of trading to anyone, including an authorized person or an associate of the broker, other than a SEBI registered Stock broker.

In case, if you want to register your complaint through SEBI Score Portal, please Click here Filing compliant on SCORES- Easy & Quick : (a) Register on SCORES Portal (b) Mandatory details for filing complaints on SCORES i. Name, PAN, Address, Mobile Number, E-Mail ID (c) Benefits: i. Effective Communication ii. Speedy redressal of the grievances

*Disclaimer: "Investment in securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. Brokerage will not exceed the SEBI prescribed limit."