You must be at least 18 years old to open a Robinhood account

Robinhood requires all account holders to be 18 or older. This is a legal requirement set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the organizations that oversee stock trading in the United States. You cannot open an account, trade stocks, or use any Robinhood features if you are under 18.

If you are under 18 and want to invest, you have other options. A parent or guardian can open a custodial account — sometimes called a minor's account — at Robinhood or another brokerage. The adult controls the account and makes trading decisions until you turn 18, at which point the account transfers to your name.

Key Takeaways

  • Robinhood accounts require you to be 18 years old; this is federal law, not a company choice.
  • You must provide your Social Security number and verify your identity during signup, which confirms your age.
  • A parent or guardian can open a custodial account for you if you are under 18 and want to start investing.
  • Robinhood will close any account opened with false age information and may report the violation to authorities.

What happens during the age verification process

When you sign up for Robinhood, you enter your date of birth. Robinhood then asks you to verify your identity using your Social Security number and other personal information. This verification step is how Robinhood confirms you are actually 18 or older — they cross-check your information against databases maintained by identity verification companies.

The verification usually takes a few minutes. If there is a mismatch between the age you entered and the age on file with your Social Security number, Robinhood will reject your process. You cannot proceed until the information matches.

Why the age requirement exists

The SEC and FINRA set the 18-year-old minimum because trading stocks involves legal contracts and financial risk. An 18-year-old is considered an adult in the eyes of the law and can be held responsible for their trading decisions and any losses. Minors cannot legally enter into investment contracts, which is why brokerages cannot let them trade.

This rule applies to every stock trading platform in the United States, not just Robinhood. You will encounter the same requirement at Fidelity, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, and any other brokerage.

Opening a custodial account for someone under 18

If you are a parent or guardian and want to introduce a minor to investing, you can open a custodial account at Robinhood. The account is registered in the minor's name, but you control it until they reach the age of majority (18 in most states, 21 in a few).

To open a custodial account, you will need the minor's Social Security number, date of birth, and address. You will also need to verify your own identity as the custodian. Robinhood will ask you to confirm that you have the legal authority to manage the account on behalf of the minor.

Once the account is open, you can deposit money and make trades. The minor can watch and learn, but they cannot make trades themselves until they are 18 and the account transfers to their control. At that point, they become the sole account holder and can trade without your approval.

What happens if you lie about your age

Robinhood's identity verification system is designed to catch false information. If you enter a birth date that does not match your Social Security record, the verification will fail and your account will not be created.

If you somehow manage to open an account with false age information, Robinhood can close it at any time. The company is also required to report suspected fraud to the SEC and other regulators. This can result in a formal investigation and potential legal consequences beyond just losing your account.

Other ways to invest if you are under 18

A custodial account is the most direct route, but it is not the only way to learn about investing before you turn 18. Many brokerages offer educational resources, paper trading simulators, and practice accounts that let you trade with fake money. These tools do not require you to be 18 because no real money or legal contracts are involved.

You can also read about investing, follow stock prices, and build a watchlist of companies you are interested in. When you turn 18, you will have a head start on understanding how markets work and what kinds of investments match your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my parents' Robinhood account to trade?

No. Using someone else's account to trade is fraud, even if they give you permission. Your parents' account is registered to them, and only they can log in and make trades. If you want to invest, you need your own account once you turn 18, or a custodial account opened in your name with your parent as the custodian.

What if I turn 18 soon — can I open an account now?

No. Robinhood verifies your age against your Social Security record at the moment you sign up. If the record shows you are under 18, the verification will fail. You will need to wait until your 18th birthday to open an account.

Do I need to provide my Social Security number to prove my age?

Yes. Robinhood uses your Social Security number to verify your identity and confirm your age through third-party databases. This is standard practice at all brokerages and is required by federal law.

Can I open a Robinhood account if I am 18 but do not have a Social Security number?

Robinhood requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to open an account. If you do not have one, you will need to obtain one before you can sign up. Contact the Social Security Administration or the IRS for information on how the process works.