Closing a Fidelity account requires you to contact Fidelity directly—there is no online self-service option

Fidelity does not let you delete your account through their website or mobile app. You must call their customer service line, speak with a representative, and provide identification. The process takes a few minutes on the phone, but you will need to handle any remaining money in the account before closure can happen. Fidelity will not delete an account that still holds cash or securities.

Before you call, decide what to do with your money. You can transfer securities to another brokerage, sell them and withdraw the cash, or leave them where they are if you plan to keep the account open. Once you have settled your holdings, Fidelity will close the account and send you a final statement.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Fidelity at 1-800-343-3548 to request account closure; online closure is not available.
  • Your account must have a zero balance before Fidelity will close it—you cannot leave cash or securities behind.
  • Decide whether to transfer securities to another brokerage, sell them, or keep them in a separate Fidelity account.
  • The closure itself takes minutes once your holdings are settled, but Fidelity may take several business days to process the final steps.
  • You will receive a final account statement by mail after closure is complete.

What to do with your money before closing

If your account holds cash, you can request a check or electronic transfer to your bank account. If it holds stocks, mutual funds, or other securities, you have three options: transfer them to another brokerage, sell them and withdraw the proceeds, or move them to a different Fidelity account you plan to keep open.

Transferring securities to another brokerage takes five to ten business days. You will need the account number and routing information for the receiving brokerage. Fidelity charges no fee for outgoing transfers, though the receiving brokerage may charge an incoming transfer fee.

Selling securities is faster—trades settle in one to two business days—but you will owe capital gains tax on any profit. If you are closing the account because you no longer want to invest, selling is often simpler than transferring.

The phone call: what to expect

Call Fidelity's main customer service line at 1-800-343-3548. Tell the representative you want to close your account. They will ask you to verify your identity using your Social Security number, date of birth, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened the account.

The representative will confirm that your account balance is zero. If it is not, they will walk you through your options for settling the remaining funds before proceeding. Once your balance is confirmed at zero, they will process the closure request. The entire call usually takes five to ten minutes.

Ask the representative for a reference number for the closure request. Write it down. This gives you proof that you initiated the closure and a way to follow up if you do not receive a final statement within two weeks.

After you hang up: what happens next

Fidelity will send you a final account statement by mail within five to ten business days. This statement shows the date the account was closed and confirms that all holdings were settled. Keep this statement for your tax records, especially if you sold securities or transferred them out.

If you had recurring transfers set up (such as automatic deposits from your paycheck), those will stop. If you had bills or other services linked to the account, you will need to update those separately—Fidelity will not do it for you.

If you opened the account with a promotional offer or bonus, closing the account may trigger a clawback of that bonus. Check your account agreement or ask the representative during your call whether any unearned bonus will be deducted before closure.

Reasons you might want to keep the account open instead

If you are closing because you are unhappy with Fidelity's fees or features, consider whether you actually need to close it. Many people keep a Fidelity account open even if they do not actively trade, because it costs nothing and preserves your account history for tax purposes.

If you are closing because you want to move your money to another brokerage, you do not have to close the account—you can simply transfer your securities and leave the account dormant. This is useful if you think you might return to Fidelity later or if you want to keep the account for a specific purpose (such as an IRA that you are not currently funding).

Closing an account does not hurt your credit score, but it does remove that account from your credit history after seven years. If you have a long history with Fidelity, closing the account will eventually erase that history from your credit report.

What to do if you cannot reach customer service

Fidelity's phone lines are busiest on weekday mornings and around market open (9:30 a.m. Eastern). If you get a long wait time, try calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon. You can also use Fidelity's callback feature on their website—enter your phone number and Fidelity will call you back when a representative is available, so you do not have to hold.

If you prefer not to call, you can write to Fidelity's mailing address (listed on your account statements) and request closure in writing. Include your account number, full name, and signature. This method is slower—expect two to four weeks—but it creates a paper trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my Fidelity account hurt my credit?

No. Brokerage accounts do not appear on your credit report, so closing one has no effect on your credit score. The account will stop appearing in your credit history after seven years, but that is automatic and not harmful.

What if I have a Fidelity IRA or 401(k)?

IRAs and 401(k)s require different closure procedures because they have tax rules attached. Call Fidelity and specify that you want to close a retirement account. The representative will explain your options, which may include rolling the money to another retirement account or taking a distribution (which may trigger taxes and penalties if you are under 59½).

Can I reopen a Fidelity account after I close it?

Yes. Closing an account does not ban you from opening a new one. However, if you closed the account due to a dispute or violation of Fidelity's terms, they may refuse to let you open a new account. For routine closures, you can open a new account anytime.

How long does it take for Fidelity to actually delete my account?

Fidelity closes the account immediately after you call, but the final statement takes five to ten business days to arrive. The account is no longer active once you hang up, so you cannot trade or deposit money. Fidelity may retain your data for legal and tax reasons even after closure.

What if I have pending transactions when I call to close?

Tell the representative about any pending trades or transfers. They will either wait for those to settle before closing or cancel them. Unsettled transactions can delay closure, so it is best to wait until everything has cleared before calling.