Closing your Robinhood account takes three steps: withdraw your cash, sell or transfer your investments, and submit a closure request through the app or website

Robinhood does not charge a fee to close your account. The process itself is straightforward, but you cannot close an account that holds cash or open positions — you must move or sell everything first. The closure is permanent and cannot be reversed, so make sure you have transferred or downloaded any records you need before you finish.

The timeline depends on how long it takes you to liquidate your holdings. Once your account is empty, Robinhood usually processes the closure request within a few business days. If you have a margin account or outstanding transfers, the process may take longer.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have zero cash and zero open positions in your account before Robinhood will close it.
  • Selling investments takes one to two business days to settle; transferring them to another brokerage can take five to seven business days.
  • You can request closure through the app under Account Settings or through the website under Help.
  • Once closed, your account cannot be reopened — you would need to create a new account if you want to trade again.

Withdraw or transfer your cash balance

Before you can close your account, your cash balance must be zero. You have two options: transfer the money to your linked bank account or leave it in the account until after closure (Robinhood will mail a check if you close with a positive balance, though this takes longer).

To transfer cash, open the app or website, go to Account, then Transfers, and select Transfer to Your Bank. Choose the linked bank account and the amount. Most transfers arrive within one to three business days, depending on your bank. If you have not yet linked a bank account, you will need to do that first through Account Settings.

If you have a margin account, you may owe Robinhood money instead of holding a positive balance. You must pay any margin debt before closing. You can transfer funds into the account to cover the debt, or contact Robinhood support to arrange payment.

Sell or transfer your investments

Any open positions — stocks, options, crypto, or fractional shares — must be closed before your account can be closed. You can sell them through the app or website, or transfer them to another brokerage.

Selling is faster: open each position, tap Sell, choose the quantity and order type, and confirm. Most stock and crypto sales settle within one business day. Options may take longer depending on market conditions. Once sold, the proceeds appear as cash in your account, which you then transfer to your bank.

Transferring investments to another brokerage preserves your positions but takes longer — usually five to seven business days. The receiving brokerage initiates an ACAT transfer (Automated Customer Account Transfer). You will need your Robinhood account number and the receiving brokerage's details. Not all investments can be transferred; for example, some fractional shares or certain crypto holdings may need to be sold instead.

Request closure through the app or website

Once your account shows zero cash and zero positions, you can request closure. On the mobile app, go to Account, then Settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap Close Account. On the website, go to Help, search for "close account," and follow the link to the closure form.

Robinhood will ask you to confirm your request and may ask why you are closing. You do not have to provide a reason, but the form includes a text field if you want to. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation email. Robinhood typically processes the request within a few business days.

If you have any pending transfers or unsettled trades, Robinhood may delay the closure until those are complete. Check your Activity tab to make sure all transactions have settled before submitting your closure request.

What happens to your account history after closure

Robinhood keeps your account records for a set period after closure, but you cannot access them through the app or website once the account is closed. If you need tax documents, trade confirmations, or other records, read or screenshot them before you close the account.

For tax purposes, you can request a year-end statement or 1099 form from Robinhood's support team even after your account is closed, though this may take longer than if you request it while the account is still open. If you sold investments at a gain or loss, you will need those records for your tax return.

Reopening an account after closure

You cannot reopen a closed Robinhood account. If you want to trade again, you will need to create a new account from scratch. This means going through the identity verification and funding process again, and your new account will have a different account number.

If you are closing because of a specific issue — such as a fee dispute or a problem with a trade — contact Robinhood support before closing to see if the issue can be resolved. Once the account is closed, Robinhood cannot reverse the closure or recover the old account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I have pending deposits or transfers?

No. Any pending transfers or deposits must settle first. Check your Activity tab to see the status of all pending transactions. Once everything has settled and your account is empty, you can submit your closure request.

What if I have a negative balance or owe Robinhood money?

You must pay the balance before closing. Transfer funds into your account to cover the debt, or contact Robinhood support to arrange payment. Robinhood will not close an account with an outstanding balance.

Do I get my money back if I close my account?

Yes. Any cash in your account is transferred to your linked bank account. If you close with a positive balance and do not request a transfer first, Robinhood will mail you a check, which takes longer than a bank transfer.

How long does it take to close my account after I submit the request?

Robinhood usually processes closure requests within a few business days. If you have pending trades or transfers, it may take longer. You will receive a confirmation email once the closure is complete.

Can I read my trade history before closing?

Yes. Go to Account, then History or Statements, and take screenshots or read any documents you need. You can also request tax documents from Robinhood support, though it is faster to do this before closing.