What you need to open a Fidelity brokerage account

You can open a Fidelity brokerage account online in about 10 minutes. You will need a valid government ID, your Social Security number, proof of your current address (a recent utility bill or bank statement works), and enough money to meet any account minimum—which is $0 for most account types, though some specialty accounts have minimums of $2,500 or higher.

Fidelity offers several account types: a standard taxable brokerage account, retirement accounts like Traditional and Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs for self-employed people, and workplace retirement accounts if your employer uses Fidelity. The account type you choose determines what you can invest in and what tax treatment applies to your gains.

You do not need to fund the account immediately. You can open it empty and transfer money later, or deposit funds during the setup process. If you are moving money from another brokerage, Fidelity can help you transfer existing investments without selling them first—a process called an ACAT transfer that typically takes 5 to 10 business days.

Key Takeaways

  • You can open a Fidelity brokerage account online with a government ID, Social Security number, and proof of address; no initial deposit is required for most account types.
  • Choose your account type during setup—taxable brokerage, IRA, SEP IRA, or employer plan—because this determines tax treatment and investment options.
  • Fund your account by linking a bank account, transferring from another brokerage, or mailing a check; bank transfers usually clear within 1 to 3 business days.
  • After your account is open and funded, you can buy stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs through Fidelity's website or mobile app.

Step-by-step account opening process

Start at fidelity.com and click "Open an Account." You will choose your account type first—this is the most important decision because you cannot easily change it later. If you are saving for retirement and do not have a workplace plan, a Roth IRA lets your money grow tax-free. If you are investing money you may need before retirement, use a taxable brokerage account. If you are self-employed, a SEP IRA lets you contribute more than a regular IRA.

Next, enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. Fidelity will verify this against public records. You will also create a username and password, and set up two-factor authentication (usually a code sent to your phone or email). This protects your account from unauthorized access.

Then you will answer questions about your investment experience, income, and employment status. These are not tests—Fidelity uses them to show you appropriate investment options and to comply with securities regulations. Be honest; there is no "right" answer that unlocks better features.

Finally, you will review and electronically sign the account agreement. Once you submit, your account is usually open within minutes. Fidelity will send you a confirmation email with your account number.

How to fund your new account

You have three main ways to add money: link a bank account for electronic transfer, mail a check, or transfer investments from another brokerage.

Bank transfer: Link your checking or savings account by providing your routing number and account number. Fidelity may make two small test deposits (usually under $1 each) to verify the account is yours; you will confirm the amounts in your bank statement. Once verified, transfers typically arrive within 1 to 3 business days. This is the fastest and most common method.

Check by mail: Request a deposit envelope from Fidelity, write your account number on the check, and mail it to the address provided. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days after Fidelity receives it. Use this only if you cannot link a bank account.

Transfer from another brokerage: If you already own stocks, bonds, or funds elsewhere, Fidelity can move them without forcing you to sell. Call Fidelity at 1-800-343-3548 or start the transfer online. Provide your old account details, and Fidelity will contact the other firm. The transfer usually completes in 5 to 10 business days. During this time, your investments remain invested and you cannot trade them.

Account types and what each one is for

Taxable brokerage account: No contribution limits, no withdrawal restrictions, no age requirements. You pay taxes on dividends and capital gains each year. Use this if you are investing money beyond what you can put in retirement accounts, or if you may need the money before age 59½.

Traditional IRA: Contributions may be tax-deductible depending on your income and whether you have a workplace retirement plan. Money grows tax-deferred; you pay taxes when you withdraw. You cannot withdraw without penalty before age 59½ (with limited exceptions). Annual contribution limit is $7,000 in 2024 ($8,000 if you are 50 or older).

Roth IRA: Contributions are not tax-deductible, but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. You can withdraw contributions (not earnings) anytime without penalty. Income limits apply; high earners cannot contribute directly. Same $7,000 annual limit ($8,000 at 50+).

SEP IRA: For self-employed people and small business owners. Contributions are tax-deductible and can be much larger than a regular IRA—up to 25% of net self-employment income, with a 2024 limit of $69,000. Money grows tax-deferred like a Traditional IRA.

What happens after your account opens

Once your account is open and funded, you can begin investing immediately. Log into your account on Fidelity's website or mobile app, search for a stock ticker or fund name, and place an order. Most stock and ETF trades execute instantly during market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday). Mutual fund orders process at the end of the trading day.

Fidelity does not charge commissions on stock trades, ETF trades, or most mutual fund purchases. Some mutual funds carry internal fees (called expense ratios) that reduce your returns slightly each year. Fidelity's own funds, called Fidelity Funds, tend to have lower expense ratios than industry averages.

You can also set up automatic investments: link your bank account and have Fidelity pull a fixed amount weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly to buy a specific stock, ETF, or mutual fund. This is called dollar-cost averaging and removes the guesswork from timing the market.

Security and account protection

Fidelity uses encryption to protect your login and financial data. Set a strong password (at least 12 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols) and enable two-factor authentication, which requires a code from your phone or email each time you log in from a new device.

Your brokerage account is protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which covers up to $500,000 per account if Fidelity fails financially. This does not protect you against investment losses—only against Fidelity going out of business. If you have more than $500,000 to invest, open multiple accounts or use Fidelity's excess SIPC coverage options.

If you suspect fraud or unauthorized activity, call Fidelity immediately at 1-800-343-3548. Fidelity monitors accounts for suspicious activity and can freeze or reverse unauthorized trades within certain time limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to deposit money when I open the account?

No. You can open an account with $0 and fund it later. However, you cannot trade until money is in the account. Some specialty accounts (like certain managed portfolios) do require a minimum deposit, usually $2,500 or $10,000, but standard brokerage and IRA accounts have no minimum.

Can I open multiple accounts with Fidelity?

Yes. You can have a taxable brokerage account, a Roth IRA, a Traditional IRA, and other account types all under the same login. Each account is separate for tax and contribution-limit purposes. This is useful if you want to keep retirement savings separate from short-term investments.

What if I already have a Fidelity 401(k) through my employer?

You can open a separate personal brokerage or IRA account. Your employer 401(k) and personal accounts are independent; money in one does not affect contribution limits in the other. You manage the personal account yourself, while your employer plan is managed by your company's plan administrator.

How long does it take to withdraw money from my account?

Selling a stock or ETF takes 1 business day to settle (the money is yours but not yet in your bank). Transferring that money back to your bank account takes another 1 to 3 business days. Total time is usually 2 to 4 business days. Withdrawals from IRAs have additional rules depending on your age and account type.

What if I make a mistake during account setup?

You can contact Fidelity at 1-800-343-3548 to correct information before your account is fully open. If your account is already open, you can update most information (address, phone number, employment status) through your account settings online. Some details like your Social Security number cannot be changed and require calling Fidelity.