Moving your account from Robinhood to Fidelity

You can transfer your stocks, ETFs, and cash from Robinhood to Fidelity by initiating an ACATS transfer (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service). This is the standard method brokers use to move holdings between firms. Fidelity handles most of the work once you start the process, and your investments stay invested the entire time — you do not have to sell anything.

The transfer takes about five to seven business days from start to finish. During that time, you cannot trade in either account. Your Robinhood account will close once the transfer completes. You will need your Robinhood account number and the cash balance or holdings you want to move, but Fidelity's team can walk you through what information to gather before you begin.

Key Takeaways

  • Fidelity initiates the transfer on your behalf, so you start the process through Fidelity's website or by calling them, not through Robinhood.
  • You can transfer stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and cash all at once, or move only part of your account if you want to keep some holdings at Robinhood.
  • The transfer freezes both accounts for five to seven business days, so plan ahead if you need to trade during that window.
  • Robinhood will not charge you a transfer fee, but Fidelity may charge a small fee depending on the account type and transfer size.
  • Fractional shares held in Robinhood will be sold and the proceeds transferred as cash, since most brokers do not accept fractional shares in transfers.

Starting the transfer through Fidelity

Log into your Fidelity account online or call Fidelity at 1-800-343-3548. If you do not have a Fidelity account yet, you will need to open one first — this takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and address. You can open an account online without funding it when ready.

Once you are in Fidelity, look for the "Transfer Investments" or "Move My Money" option in the account menu. Fidelity will ask you to confirm that you want to transfer from Robinhood, provide your Robinhood account number, and specify which holdings or cash you want to move. You can transfer everything or select specific positions. Fidelity will then send the transfer request to Robinhood on your behalf.

What happens to your Robinhood account during the transfer

Once Fidelity submits the transfer request, Robinhood will receive it and begin processing. Your Robinhood account will be locked — you cannot buy, sell, or withdraw during this time. The same applies to your Fidelity account: you cannot trade the transferred holdings until they arrive and settle.

Robinhood does not charge a transfer fee. However, Fidelity may charge a transfer fee of $0 to $50 depending on your account type and the complexity of the transfer. Some Fidelity account types waive the fee entirely. Ask Fidelity about any fees before you start, and they can tell you the exact amount.

How fractional shares and cash are handled

Robinhood allows you to own fractional shares of stocks and ETFs. Most brokers, including Fidelity, do not accept fractional shares in transfers. Before your transfer completes, Robinhood will automatically sell any fractional shares you own and convert them to cash. That cash will then transfer to Fidelity along with your whole shares.

For example, if you own 10.5 shares of Apple at Robinhood, Robinhood will sell the 0.5 share and send you the proceeds in cash. You will receive 10 whole shares of Apple plus the cash value of that fractional share at Fidelity. This sale happens automatically — you do not need to do anything, but it does mean you will realize any gain or loss on that fractional share for tax purposes.

Transferring only part of your account

You do not have to move everything. When Fidelity asks which holdings to transfer, you can select specific stocks, ETFs, or just your cash balance. This is useful if you want to keep some positions at Robinhood or if you are not sure whether you want to close your Robinhood account entirely.

If you transfer only part of your account, your Robinhood account will remain open with the holdings you did not move. You can still trade those positions. Later, if you decide to move the rest, you can start another transfer. Keep in mind that each transfer will lock your accounts for five to seven business days, so spacing them out may be practical if you need to trade frequently.

What to do if the transfer stalls or fails

Most transfers complete without problems, but occasionally a transfer will be rejected or stuck in progress. Common reasons include a mismatch in your account information, an outstanding margin balance at Robinhood, or a hold on your Robinhood account due to recent deposits or trades.

If your transfer does not complete within seven business days, contact Fidelity first. They can check the status and tell you whether Robinhood rejected it and why. If there is a problem on Robinhood's side — such as a margin balance or account hold — you will need to resolve that before restarting the transfer. Fidelity can usually resubmit the request once the issue is cleared.

After your transfer completes

Once the transfer settles, your holdings will appear in your Fidelity account in the same positions you held them at Robinhood. Your cash balance will also transfer. Your Robinhood account will close automatically, and you will receive a final statement showing the transfer out.

At Fidelity, you can now trade, set up automatic investments, or use research tools. If you had any pending orders or alerts set up at Robinhood, those will not transfer — you will need to recreate them at Fidelity if you want them. Your cost basis and purchase history for tax reporting will transfer, so you will have that information when you file taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose money when I transfer from Robinhood to Fidelity?

No. Your holdings transfer at their current market value, so you own the same number of shares worth the same amount. Fidelity may charge a transfer fee of $0 to $50, which comes out of your cash balance. Fractional shares are sold at market price, so you get the cash value, not a discount.

Can I transfer options or crypto from Robinhood to Fidelity?

Options and cryptocurrency cannot be transferred through ACATS. You will need to sell those positions at Robinhood, transfer the cash to Fidelity, and then repurchase them at Fidelity if you want to keep them. This means you will realize any gains or losses on those holdings for tax purposes.

What if I have a margin balance at Robinhood?

You cannot transfer an account with an outstanding margin balance. You will need to pay off the margin debt at Robinhood first, then start the transfer. Once the balance is zero, Fidelity can submit the transfer request.

How long does the transfer take?

Most transfers complete in five to seven business days. Weekends and holidays do not count toward this timeline. If your transfer takes longer than seven business days, contact Fidelity to check the status — it may have been rejected or stuck waiting for information from Robinhood.

Can I trade while my transfer is in progress?

No. Both your Robinhood and Fidelity accounts are locked during the transfer. You cannot buy, sell, or withdraw from either account until the transfer completes and settles. Plan your transfer for a time when you do not need to trade.