How to close your E*TRADE account
You can close your E*TRADE account by contacting E*TRADE customer service directly — there is no self-service option to close your account online. You will need to call E*TRADE, speak with a representative, and confirm that you want to close the account. The representative will walk you through what happens to any remaining cash or securities in your account and will process the closure.
Before you call, make sure your account is in a state that can be closed: any open orders must be cancelled, and any margin debt or loans must be paid off. If you have securities you want to keep, you can transfer them to another brokerage before closing, or E*TRADE can liquidate them and send you the proceeds.
Key Takeaways
- E*TRADE does not offer an online account closure tool — you must call customer service to close your account.
- Your account must have zero margin debt and no open orders before E*TRADE will close it.
- Any securities in your account will be liquidated unless you transfer them to another brokerage first.
- After closure, E*TRADE will mail any remaining cash balance to the address on file, usually within five to seven business days.
- Keep your account number and the confirmation number from the closure call for your records.
What you need before you call
Gather your account number and have your account login information ready. E*TRADE will ask you to verify your identity before discussing your account, so be prepared to answer security questions or provide personal information like your Social Security number or date of birth.
Review your account holdings and decide what you want to do with any stocks, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, or other securities. If you want to keep them, you will need the account number and routing information for the brokerage where you want them transferred. If you are comfortable with E*TRADE selling them, the representative can liquidate everything and send you cash.
Check whether you have any margin debt, loans, or outstanding trades. If you borrowed money through margin, you must pay it back before closing. If you have open orders waiting to execute, those must be cancelled first.
How to contact E*TRADE customer service
Call E*TRADE at 1-800-387-2331 (for U.S. customers). Have your account number ready when you call. Wait times vary depending on the time of day and day of the week; calling early in the morning on a weekday typically means shorter hold times.
Tell the representative that you want to close your account. They will verify your identity, review your account balance and holdings, and explain what will happen to any money or securities. If you have questions about the process or want to know the status of a transfer, ask before you hang up and request a confirmation number for the closure.
What happens to your money and investments
If your account holds cash, E*TRADE will mail a check to the address on file. This typically takes five to seven business days after the account is closed. If you have a large balance, you can ask the representative whether E*TRADE offers electronic transfer options.
If your account holds securities and you have not arranged a transfer to another brokerage, E*TRADE will sell them at market price and send you the proceeds as cash. This liquidation happens after the account closure is processed, so there may be a delay between when your account closes and when you receive the money. The market price at the time of sale may be different from the price when you called to close the account.
If you want to transfer securities to another brokerage instead of selling them, ask E*TRADE about their transfer process. You will need to provide the receiving brokerage's account number and routing information. Transfers typically take five to ten business days.
After your account is closed
E*TRADE will send you a confirmation letter in the mail. Keep this letter and the confirmation number the representative gave you when you called. You may need these for tax records or if you have questions about the closure later.
If you had any pending transfers or trades when you closed the account, check your mail for updates. If you transferred securities to another brokerage, log into that account to confirm the securities arrived. If you are waiting for a check, allow seven to ten business days before contacting E*TRADE to ask about it.
Once your account is closed, you will no longer be able to log in. If you change your mind and want to reopen an account with E*TRADE, you can open a new one, but it will be treated as a new account with a new account number.
What to do if you have a joint account
If your E*TRADE account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must agree to close it. E*TRADE may require both of you to call, or they may allow one person to call on behalf of both if you have a power of attorney or other legal authorization. Ask the representative what documentation they need.
Before closing a joint account, make sure both owners agree on what will happen to the money and securities. If one owner wants to keep the account open or transfer their portion to a separate account, you may need to contact E*TRADE about splitting the account instead of closing it entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my E*TRADE account online?
No. E*TRADE requires you to call customer service to close your account. There is no online closure option. Call 1-800-387-2331 and speak with a representative.
Will E*TRADE charge me a fee to close my account?
E*TRADE does not charge a fee to close your account. However, if you have margin debt or loans, you must pay those off before closing. If you ask E*TRADE to liquidate securities, standard trading rules explore, but there is no separate closure fee.
How long does it take to close an E*TRADE account?
The closure itself is processed during your call with the representative. However, if you have securities to liquidate or transfer, or if you are waiting for a check, the full process may take one to two weeks. Ask the representative for a timeline based on your specific account.
What if I have a 401(k) or IRA with E*TRADE?
Retirement accounts have different closure rules. Contact E*TRADE to discuss your options, as closing a retirement account may have tax consequences. The representative can explain what happens to your balance and whether you can transfer it to another institution.
Can I reopen my account after I close it?
You can open a new E*TRADE account, but it will have a different account number and be treated as a new account. If you closed your account and want to return, you will go through the standard account opening process again.