Why is PayPal asking me for identity (Customer Identification Program, or "CIP") information?

PayPal is required under Canadian anti-money laundering laws to collect certain information about our customers and, in some cases, confirm that the information we collect is accurate. As a result, we may collect and record information that confirms your identity, including names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, occupations, and details on the nature of your business for individuals and business entities. We may request supporting documentation to assist us in confirming the information you've provided. If we do so, you will be prompted with an alert in your account profile to fulfill the request.

If we are unable to confirm your identity, Canadian anti-money laundering laws do not permit us to conduct certain transactions on your behalf. PayPal may deny a requested product or service and/or disable some functionality on your account, such as the ability to send or receive payments, until we complete your identity confirmation.

What documents or additional information will PayPal require me to provide to confirm my personal information?

PayPal may require all or a combination of the following documents (must be your most recent statement):

Proof of Address (POA):

• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) statement such as a requirement to pay, installment notice, benefits statement, or Notice of Assessment 
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Statement
• Municipal Property Tax Assessment
• T4 or record of employment statement
• Social benefits statements, such as Social Assistance, Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, or Guaranteed Income Security
• Provincial vehicle registration
• Utility bills, such as electricity, gas, water, and cellphone bill
• Statement from your insurer (life, home, or auto)
• Credit card statement
• Bank account statement for deposit or chequing account
• Loan account statement (for example, mortgage)

Proof of Financial (POF):

• Credit card statement
• Bank account statement for deposit or chequing account
• Loan account statement (for example, mortgage)

Proof of Identity (POI): 

• Government-issued photo ID: 
• Driver's license
• Passport
• Canadian Citizenship card
• Canadian Permanent Resident card
• Provincial Identification card
• Provincial Service card
• Certificate of Indian Status card
• Birth certificate (both long and short forms are acceptable)
• Marriage or divorce documentation (the long form which includes your date of birth)

NOTE: The same document cannot be provided as both Proof of Identify and Proof of Address or Proof of Address and Proof of Financials.

How long will the identification process take?

PayPal will make every attempt to review the documents you’ve provided within 48 hours, but in some cases it may take longer.

If I do not want to complete the identification confirmation process, what will happen to my PayPal account?

If you do not complete the identity confirmation process, some functionality on your PayPal account could be limited, and you may be prevented from sending or receiving payments.

If I have already provided this information for another one of my accounts, is PayPal able to use that information?

Each account must undergo its own CIP confirmation.