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# Start Customer Application

POST https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1/customerApplication/startcustomerapplication
Content-Type: application/json

### Start a new customer application.

**Available to:** All authenticated users

**Environments:** Live

**[Rate Limit](/overview/core-concepts/rate-limits):** 10 requests per hour, 30-second back-off, counts all requests

Start the account-opening workflow by creating a `CustomerApplication` for a user. This is the first call in the application flow — the returned application's `id` is the `customerApplicationId` you pass to [`submitApplicant`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/submit-applicant), [`prepareAgreementDocuments`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/prepare-agreement-documents), [`signAgreementDocuments`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/sign-agreement-documents), and [`submitCustomerApplicationDocument`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/submit-customer-application-document).

Set `accountType` and `legalStatus` for the application. You can optionally set `clearingHouseId` to route the application to a specific clearing house; if omitted, the system assigns one. Applications started with `legalStatus` of `GP` are stored as `PTR`.

By default, the application is created for the calling user. To start an application on behalf of another user, set `userId` — this requires the caller to be an organization administrator with business-to-business account-opening (B2B AOP) permission in an organization that allows customer applications.

A successful request returns the created `customerApplication` entity with `applicationStatus` of `PendingApplication`. You can read it back at any time with [`customerApplicationItem`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/customer-application-item) or list a user's applications with [`customerApplicationDependents`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/customer-application-dependents).

**Common Failure Scenarios**

- The request originates from a restricted country.
- The user already has a saved application of the same account type.
- The user's organization does not allow customer applications.
- `userId` is provided but the caller does not have B2B AOP permission.
- The caller belongs to a reliance-agreement organization and cannot sign on behalf of customers.

**Error Messages**

| `errorText` | Trigger |
|-------------|---------|
| `"We have noticed that your location does not match the Country of Residence; unfortunately, we cannot proceed with your application at this time"` | The request originates from a restricted country. |
| `"An application of this type has already been created."` | The user already has a saved application with the requested account type. |
| `"Access denied"` | The user's organization does not allow customer applications. |
| `"Must be a B2B AOP user"` | `userId` references another user, but the caller is not an organization administrator with B2B AOP permission. |
| `"This operation should be performed by your organization"` | The caller's organization has a reliance agreement, and the caller cannot sign on behalf of customers. |

**Next Steps**

- Submit the applicant's personal details with [`submitApplicant`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/submit-applicant).

Reference: https://partner.ninjatrader.com/connect/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/start-customer-application

## OpenAPI Specification

```yaml
openapi: 3.1.0
info:
  title: connect
  version: 1.0.0
paths:
  /customerApplication/startcustomerapplication:
    post:
      operationId: start-customer-application
      summary: Start Customer Application
      description: >-
        ### Start a new customer application.


        **Available to:** All authenticated users


        **Environments:** Live


        **[Rate Limit](/overview/core-concepts/rate-limits):** 10 requests per
        hour, 30-second back-off, counts all requests


        Start the account-opening workflow by creating a `CustomerApplication`
        for a user. This is the first call in the application flow — the
        returned application's `id` is the `customerApplicationId` you pass to
        [`submitApplicant`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/submit-applicant),
        [`prepareAgreementDocuments`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/prepare-agreement-documents),
        [`signAgreementDocuments`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/sign-agreement-documents),
        and
        [`submitCustomerApplicationDocument`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/submit-customer-application-document).


        Set `accountType` and `legalStatus` for the application. You can
        optionally set `clearingHouseId` to route the application to a specific
        clearing house; if omitted, the system assigns one. Applications started
        with `legalStatus` of `GP` are stored as `PTR`.


        By default, the application is created for the calling user. To start an
        application on behalf of another user, set `userId` — this requires the
        caller to be an organization administrator with business-to-business
        account-opening (B2B AOP) permission in an organization that allows
        customer applications.


        A successful request returns the created `customerApplication` entity
        with `applicationStatus` of `PendingApplication`. You can read it back
        at any time with
        [`customerApplicationItem`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/customer-application-item)
        or list a user's applications with
        [`customerApplicationDependents`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/customer-application-dependents).


        **Common Failure Scenarios**


        - The request originates from a restricted country.

        - The user already has a saved application of the same account type.

        - The user's organization does not allow customer applications.

        - `userId` is provided but the caller does not have B2B AOP permission.

        - The caller belongs to a reliance-agreement organization and cannot
        sign on behalf of customers.


        **Error Messages**


        | `errorText` | Trigger |

        |-------------|---------|

        | `"We have noticed that your location does not match the Country of
        Residence; unfortunately, we cannot proceed with your application at
        this time"` | The request originates from a restricted country. |

        | `"An application of this type has already been created."` | The user
        already has a saved application with the requested account type. |

        | `"Access denied"` | The user's organization does not allow customer
        applications. |

        | `"Must be a B2B AOP user"` | `userId` references another user, but the
        caller is not an organization administrator with B2B AOP permission. |

        | `"This operation should be performed by your organization"` | The
        caller's organization has a reliance agreement, and the caller cannot
        sign on behalf of customers. |


        **Next Steps**


        - Submit the applicant's personal details with
        [`submitApplicant`](/api/rest-api-endpoints/users/submit-applicant).
      tags:
        - Users
      parameters:
        - name: Authorization
          in: header
          description: Bearer authentication
          required: true
          schema:
            type: string
      responses:
        '200':
          description: CustomerApplicationResponse
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/CustomerApplicationResponse'
      requestBody:
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/StartCustomerApplication'
servers:
  - url: https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1
    description: https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1
components:
  schemas:
    StartCustomerApplicationAccountType:
      type: string
      enum:
        - Customer
        - Employee
        - Giveup
        - House
        - Omnibus
        - Wash
      description: Customer, Employee, Giveup, House, Omnibus, Wash
      title: StartCustomerApplicationAccountType
    StartCustomerApplicationLegalStatus:
      type: string
      enum:
        - Corporation
        - GP
        - IRA
        - Individual
        - Joint
        - LLC
        - LLP
        - LP
        - PTR
        - Trust
      description: Corporation, GP, IRA, Individual, Joint, LLC, LLP, LP, PTR, Trust
      title: StartCustomerApplicationLegalStatus
    StartCustomerApplication:
      type: object
      properties:
        accountType:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/StartCustomerApplicationAccountType'
          description: Customer, Employee, Giveup, House, Omnibus, Wash
        legalStatus:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/StartCustomerApplicationLegalStatus'
          description: Corporation, GP, IRA, Individual, Joint, LLC, LLP, LP, PTR, Trust
        clearingHouseId:
          type: integer
          format: int64
        userId:
          type: integer
          format: int64
      required:
        - accountType
        - legalStatus
      title: StartCustomerApplication
    CustomerApplicationAccountType:
      type: string
      enum:
        - Customer
        - Employee
        - Giveup
        - House
        - Omnibus
        - Wash
      description: Customer, Employee, Giveup, House, Omnibus, Wash
      title: CustomerApplicationAccountType
    CustomerApplicationLegalStatus:
      type: string
      enum:
        - Corporation
        - GP
        - IRA
        - Individual
        - Joint
        - LLC
        - LLP
        - LP
        - PTR
        - Trust
      description: Corporation, GP, IRA, Individual, Joint, LLC, LLP, LP, PTR, Trust
      title: CustomerApplicationLegalStatus
    CustomerApplicationApplicationStatus:
      type: string
      enum:
        - ApprovedApplication
        - EscalatedToAML
        - InAMLReview
        - InComplianceReview
        - InReview
        - PendingApplication
        - PendingReview
        - RejectedApplication
        - ReviewCompleted
      description: >-
        ApprovedApplication, EscalatedToAML, InAMLReview, InComplianceReview,
        InReview, PendingApplication, PendingReview, RejectedApplication,
        ReviewCompleted
      title: CustomerApplicationApplicationStatus
    CustomerApplicationRejectReason:
      type: string
      enum:
        - AMLWatchlist
        - AutoDenied
        - CIPCannotVerifyIdentity
        - ComplianceRejectionHighRisk
        - DuplicateApplication
        - IncompleteApplication
        - OtherRejectReason
        - PreviousBankruptcy
      description: >-
        AMLWatchlist, AutoDenied, CIPCannotVerifyIdentity,
        ComplianceRejectionHighRisk, DuplicateApplication,
        IncompleteApplication, OtherRejectReason, PreviousBankruptcy
      title: CustomerApplicationRejectReason
    CustomerApplicationAutoApprovalType:
      type: string
      enum:
        - AutoApproved
        - PreApproved
      description: AutoApproved, PreApproved
      title: CustomerApplicationAutoApprovalType
    CustomerApplication:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: integer
          format: int64
        userId:
          type: integer
          format: int64
        accountType:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/CustomerApplicationAccountType'
          description: Customer, Employee, Giveup, House, Omnibus, Wash
        legalStatus:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/CustomerApplicationLegalStatus'
          description: Corporation, GP, IRA, Individual, Joint, LLC, LLP, LP, PTR, Trust
        startDate:
          type: string
          format: date-time
        applicationStatus:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/CustomerApplicationApplicationStatus'
          description: >-
            ApprovedApplication, EscalatedToAML, InAMLReview,
            InComplianceReview, InReview, PendingApplication, PendingReview,
            RejectedApplication, ReviewCompleted
        archived:
          type: boolean
        rejectReason:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/CustomerApplicationRejectReason'
          description: >-
            AMLWatchlist, AutoDenied, CIPCannotVerifyIdentity,
            ComplianceRejectionHighRisk, DuplicateApplication,
            IncompleteApplication, OtherRejectReason, PreviousBankruptcy
        additionalNotes:
          type: string
        accountId:
          type: integer
          format: int64
        rejectDate:
          type: string
          format: date-time
        clearingHouseId:
          type: integer
          format: int64
        autoApprovalType:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/CustomerApplicationAutoApprovalType'
          description: AutoApproved, PreApproved
        duplicate:
          type: boolean
      required:
        - userId
        - accountType
        - legalStatus
        - startDate
        - applicationStatus
        - archived
      title: CustomerApplication
    CustomerApplicationResponse:
      type: object
      properties:
        errorText:
          type: string
          description: Non-empty if the request failed
        customerApplication:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/CustomerApplication'
      title: CustomerApplicationResponse
  securitySchemes:
    bearer_access_token:
      type: http
      scheme: bearer

```

## Examples



**Request**

```json
{
  "accountType": "Customer",
  "legalStatus": "Corporation"
}
```

**Response**

```json
{
  "errorText": "",
  "customerApplication": {
    "userId": 56789,
    "accountType": "Customer",
    "legalStatus": "Corporation",
    "startDate": "2024-04-20T14:45:00Z",
    "applicationStatus": "PendingApplication",
    "archived": false,
    "id": 10234,
    "rejectReason": "",
    "additionalNotes": "Initial application created successfully.",
    "accountId": 78901,
    "rejectDate": "",
    "clearingHouseId": 345,
    "autoApprovalType": "PreApproved",
    "duplicate": false
  }
}
```

**SDK Code**

```python
import requests

url = "https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1/customerApplication/startcustomerapplication"

payload = {
    "accountType": "Customer",
    "legalStatus": "Corporation"
}
headers = {
    "Authorization": "Bearer <token>",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}

response = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers)

print(response.json())
```

```javascript
const url = 'https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1/customerApplication/startcustomerapplication';
const options = {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {Authorization: 'Bearer <token>', 'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
  body: '{"accountType":"Customer","legalStatus":"Corporation"}'
};

try {
  const response = await fetch(url, options);
  const data = await response.json();
  console.log(data);
} catch (error) {
  console.error(error);
}
```

```go
package main

import (
	"fmt"
	"strings"
	"net/http"
	"io"
)

func main() {

	url := "https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1/customerApplication/startcustomerapplication"

	payload := strings.NewReader("{\n  \"accountType\": \"Customer\",\n  \"legalStatus\": \"Corporation\"\n}")

	req, _ := http.NewRequest("POST", url, payload)

	req.Header.Add("Authorization", "Bearer <token>")
	req.Header.Add("Content-Type", "application/json")

	res, _ := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)

	defer res.Body.Close()
	body, _ := io.ReadAll(res.Body)

	fmt.Println(res)
	fmt.Println(string(body))

}
```

```ruby
require 'uri'
require 'net/http'

url = URI("https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1/customerApplication/startcustomerapplication")

http = Net::HTTP.new(url.host, url.port)
http.use_ssl = true

request = Net::HTTP::Post.new(url)
request["Authorization"] = 'Bearer <token>'
request["Content-Type"] = 'application/json'
request.body = "{\n  \"accountType\": \"Customer\",\n  \"legalStatus\": \"Corporation\"\n}"

response = http.request(request)
puts response.read_body
```

```java
import com.mashape.unirest.http.HttpResponse;
import com.mashape.unirest.http.Unirest;

HttpResponse<String> response = Unirest.post("https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1/customerApplication/startcustomerapplication")
  .header("Authorization", "Bearer <token>")
  .header("Content-Type", "application/json")
  .body("{\n  \"accountType\": \"Customer\",\n  \"legalStatus\": \"Corporation\"\n}")
  .asString();
```

```php
<?php
require_once('vendor/autoload.php');

$client = new \GuzzleHttp\Client();

$response = $client->request('POST', 'https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1/customerApplication/startcustomerapplication', [
  'body' => '{
  "accountType": "Customer",
  "legalStatus": "Corporation"
}',
  'headers' => [
    'Authorization' => 'Bearer <token>',
    'Content-Type' => 'application/json',
  ],
]);

echo $response->getBody();
```

```csharp
using RestSharp;

var client = new RestClient("https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1/customerApplication/startcustomerapplication");
var request = new RestRequest(Method.POST);
request.AddHeader("Authorization", "Bearer <token>");
request.AddHeader("Content-Type", "application/json");
request.AddParameter("application/json", "{\n  \"accountType\": \"Customer\",\n  \"legalStatus\": \"Corporation\"\n}", ParameterType.RequestBody);
IRestResponse response = client.Execute(request);
```

```swift
import Foundation

let headers = [
  "Authorization": "Bearer <token>",
  "Content-Type": "application/json"
]
let parameters = [
  "accountType": "Customer",
  "legalStatus": "Corporation"
] as [String : Any]

let postData = JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: parameters, options: [])

let request = NSMutableURLRequest(url: NSURL(string: "https://live.tradovateapi.com/v1/customerApplication/startcustomerapplication")! as URL,
                                        cachePolicy: .useProtocolCachePolicy,
                                    timeoutInterval: 10.0)
request.httpMethod = "POST"
request.allHTTPHeaderFields = headers
request.httpBody = postData as Data

let session = URLSession.shared
let dataTask = session.dataTask(with: request as URLRequest, completionHandler: { (data, response, error) -> Void in
  if (error != nil) {
    print(error as Any)
  } else {
    let httpResponse = response as? HTTPURLResponse
    print(httpResponse)
  }
})

dataTask.resume()
```