What you need to open a Fidelity brokerage account
Opening a Fidelity brokerage account takes about 10 minutes online and requires a Social Security number, a valid ID, proof of address, and a funding source. You do not need to be a Fidelity customer already, and you do not need a minimum deposit to open the account itself—though some account types have minimums to start investing.
Fidelity offers several account types: individual taxable accounts, IRAs (traditional and Roth), SEP IRAs for self-employed people, and joint accounts. The type you choose depends on whether you want to invest retirement savings or regular money, and whether you are saving alone or with a spouse. Each type has different tax treatment and withdrawal rules, so knowing which one fits your situation before you start saves time.
You will need a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), your Social Security number, your date of birth, and your current address. If your address on file with the government differs from where you live now, have a recent utility bill or bank statement ready to prove your current location.
Key Takeaways
- You can open a Fidelity brokerage account online in about 10 minutes with a Social Security number, valid ID, and proof of address.
- Choose your account type before you start—individual taxable, traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, or joint—because each has different tax rules and withdrawal restrictions.
- Funding your account can happen immediately through bank transfer, wire, or check, but settlement times vary from one to five business days depending on the method.
- After your account is open and funded, you can buy stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and bonds through Fidelity's website or mobile app without paying commissions on most trades.
Step-by-step account opening process
Go to Fidelity.com and click "Open an Account" at the top of the page. Select the account type that matches your goal: if you are saving for retirement, choose an IRA; if you are investing regular money, choose an individual or joint taxable account. Fidelity will ask you to confirm your citizenship and residency status before moving forward.
Enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, email address, and current mailing address. Fidelity verifies this information against government records in real time. If there is a mismatch, you may need to upload a photo of your ID and a recent bill showing your address. This verification usually takes a few minutes, but can take up to one business day if documents need manual review.
Create a username and password for your account login. Fidelity requires a password with at least 8 characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character. You will use this login every time you access your account online or through the mobile app.
Review the account agreement and disclosures, then electronically sign them. Fidelity will send you a confirmation email with your account number and login details. Your account is now open and ready to fund, even if you have not deposited money yet.
Funding your account and settlement times
After your account opens, you can fund it through several methods: electronic bank transfer (ACH), wire transfer, or check. Each method has different speed and cost implications.
ACH transfer is the most common method. You link a bank account to your Fidelity account and initiate a transfer from Fidelity's website. The first transfer may require you to verify two small deposits that Fidelity sends to your bank (this takes 1 to 2 business days), then you confirm the amounts to prove you own the account. After verification, transfers typically arrive in 3 to 5 business days and are free.
Wire transfer is faster but costs money. Fidelity provides wire instructions on your account page; you initiate the wire from your bank. Wire transfers arrive the same business day or next business day and usually cost $15 to $25 at your bank (Fidelity does not charge a fee to receive wires). Use this method only if you need to invest immediately.
Check deposit is the slowest option. Mail a check to the address Fidelity provides in your account, and allow 5 to 10 business days for it to arrive, be processed, and clear. Do not use this method if you need the money to invest soon.
Once money arrives in your Fidelity account, it sits in a cash sweep account earning a small amount of interest until you invest it. You can buy stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, or bonds whenever you are ready—there is no deadline.
Account types and which one to choose
A taxable brokerage account is for investing money that is not earmarked for retirement. You can withdraw money anytime without penalty, but you pay taxes on dividends and capital gains each year. This account has no contribution limits and no age restrictions on withdrawals. Choose this if you are saving for a goal less than five years away or want flexibility to access your money.
A traditional IRA lets you contribute up to $7,000 per year (or $8,000 if you are 50 or older) and deduct that contribution from your taxable income in the year you make it. You pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement. You cannot withdraw money before age 59½ without a 10% penalty, with limited exceptions. Choose this if you want to reduce your current tax bill and do not need the money before retirement.
A Roth IRA also has a $7,000 annual limit, but contributions are not tax-deductible. Your money grows tax-free, and withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. You can withdraw contributions (not earnings) anytime without penalty. Choose this if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement or want tax-free growth.
A SEP IRA is for self-employed people and small business owners. You can contribute up to 25% of your net self-employment income, up to $69,000 per year. This account has the same withdrawal rules as a traditional IRA. Choose this if you are self-employed and want to save more than a regular IRA allows.
A joint account is owned by two people and either owner can trade or withdraw. Both owners are responsible for taxes on gains. Choose this if you and a spouse want to invest together with equal control.
What happens after your account is funded
Once your account is open and has money in it, you can start investing. Log into your Fidelity account and click "Trade" or "Invest" to search for stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, or bonds. Fidelity does not charge commissions on most stock and ETF trades, and mutual funds have no transaction fees when you buy Fidelity funds or funds from other companies in Fidelity's fund network.
You can set up automatic investments if you want to invest a fixed amount on a regular schedule—for example, $500 every month. This is called dollar-cost averaging and can reduce the impact of market swings over time. Set this up in your account settings under "Automatic Investments."
Fidelity provides research tools, stock screeners, and educational content to help you make investment decisions. You can also speak with a Fidelity representative by phone at 1-800-343-3548 if you have questions about your account or need help choosing investments. Phone support is free and available during business hours.
Your account statements are available online anytime and are mailed quarterly if you request them. Tax documents (1099 forms) are sent in January for the previous year and are also available in your account.
Fees and costs to know about
Fidelity does not charge account maintenance fees, and most stock and ETF trades have no commission. However, some costs do apply depending on what you invest in and how you trade.
Mutual fund fees vary by fund. Each fund has an expense ratio—an annual percentage that covers management and operating costs—ranging from under 0.05% to over 1% per year. Fidelity's own funds tend to have lower expense ratios than funds from other companies. The expense ratio is deducted automatically from your fund's value each year.
Wire transfer fees are charged by your bank, not Fidelity, and typically cost $15 to $25 to send money to Fidelity. Receiving a wire is free.
Advisor services are optional. If you want a Fidelity advisor to manage your account, you pay a fee based on the size of your account, usually 0.35% to 1% per year. You do not need this service to open or use a basic brokerage account.
Check the specific fund or investment page before you buy to see its expense ratio and any other costs. Fidelity displays this information clearly on every investment's detail page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to open a Fidelity account?
The account opens immediately after you complete the online form and verify your identity, usually within 10 to 15 minutes. If Fidelity needs to manually review your documents, it may take up to one business day. You can fund and start investing as soon as your account is open, even if you have not deposited money yet.
Do I need a minimum deposit to open an account?
No. You can open a Fidelity brokerage account with zero dollars. However, some investments have minimums—for example, some mutual funds require a $2,500 initial investment. You can hold cash in your account and invest it whenever you are ready.
Can I open multiple accounts at Fidelity?
Yes. You can have a taxable account, a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, and other account types all under your name. Each account is separate for tax and withdrawal purposes. This is useful if you want to save for retirement in an IRA and also invest regular money in a taxable account.
What if I already have a Fidelity account for something else?
You can open a new brokerage account linked to your existing Fidelity login. Go to "Open an Account" and select the new account type. Your new account will appear alongside your existing accounts when you log in, and you can transfer money between them if needed.
Can I close my account if I change my mind?
Yes. You can close your account anytime by calling Fidelity at 1-800-343-3548 or through your account settings online. If you have money in the account, Fidelity will ask where you want it sent. Closing an account takes a few business days to process.