Information and Documents You'll Need to Begin

Personal Information Needed to Apply

Before you get started, here’s the information you’ll need to provide:
 

Ownership

Along with basic information, you’ll need:

• U.S. address
• Email address
• Taxpayer identification number
   

Investments

When you open an account, you’ll also select your investments. Please have:

• Name or symbol of your fund choice(s)
• Investment amount
   

Funding

If funding the account electronically, you’ll need:

• Checking or savings account number
• Bank routing number
   

Review & Submit

To complete your request:

• Confirm the information is accurate
• Validate email addresses for account routing authorization
• Approve electronically

Account Specific Documents and Information

Note: When submitting additional documents, if you are currently working with us and have been provided a Case number, please include that number with these documents.
 

Retirement Accounts

The following documents must be submitted with your application for all retirement account types:

• For Minors: Birth Certificate (if parent is signing)
• Guardianship/Conservatorship Paperwork (if guardian or conservator is signing)
• Otherwise: No additional documents required
   

Non-Retirement Accounts

• Individual
• No additional documents required
• Joint
• No additional documents required
• Gifts or Transfers to a Minor (UGMA/UTMA)
• No additional documents required
• Estate
• Additional Documents Required: Photocopy of the probate document, usually called Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, that names the executor, personal representative or administrator. For new accounts, the Letters Testamentary do NOT need to be dated within the last 120 days.
   

Withholding: If the IRS has notified you of back-up withholding and the withholding sanction is still active, please select the “I am subject to backup withholding” option when applying online, or cross that line out when applying via paper.
 

Education Savings Accounts

• 529 College Savings Plan (All states except New Jersey)
• No additional documents required