Can I transfer stocks to Robinhood?
Can I transfer stocks to Robinhood?
As of January 20, 2026, according to Robinhood Help Center, many investors ask: can i transfer stocks to robinhood? The short answer is yes — in most cases you can transfer stocks and other eligible securities from another brokerage into a Robinhood brokerage account using the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS). This article explains exactly what can and can’t be transferred, how ACATS transfers work, processing timelines, fees and reimbursements, special-account rules, tax and cost-basis handling, troubleshooting common delays, and how to start a transfer step by step.
This guide is written for beginners and intermediate users. It will help you decide whether a transfer is right for you and outline clear, practical steps to move assets. If you also hold crypto assets and want alternatives, note the crypto-specific section and Bitget recommendations below.
Quick note: the phrase can i transfer stocks to robinhood appears often in this article to match common search queries and help you find the exact details you need.
Quick answer / At-a-glance
- Eligible individual or joint cash and margin brokerage accounts (and certain IRAs) can move whole settled stocks, ETFs, eligible options, and settled cash into Robinhood via ACATS. Typical completion time is about 5–7 business days after initiation.
- Some assets are not transferable via ACATS: fractional shares, crypto via ACATS, many mutual funds, bonds, certain options, and other non-standard assets. If you wonder "can i transfer stocks to robinhood" for a specific asset, check the sending firm’s transfer page and Robinhood’s support documentation.
Transfer types
When moving assets into Robinhood via ACATS you choose between two main transfer types.
Full account transfer
- A full account transfer moves all eligible assets from the outside brokerage into your Robinhood account. The outside account is typically closed or frozen after the transfer completes.
- Benefits: simple, all eligible positions and cash move in one operation; cost-basis records often travel with the transfer.
- Notes: non-transferable assets will be sold or left behind depending on the sending brokerage’s policies. Expect account restrictions on the account being transferred while ACATS is processing.
Partial account transfer (in-kind)
- A partial transfer moves only selected eligible securities and cash into Robinhood while leaving the rest at the sending brokerage.
- Benefits: you keep some assets in the original account; useful when you want only certain positions moved or to avoid transferring a managed account.
- Notes: partial transfers are done in-kind for eligible securities (not as cash) unless you explicitly request a liquidation. Check whether specific holdings are supported before initiating a partial transfer.
How ACATS transfers work (process and timeline)
ACATS is an industry-wide automated process used by most broker-dealers in the U.S. to move assets between brokerage firms.
- The receiving or sending brokerage initiates the transfer instruction through ACATS.
- Clearing firms coordinate the move of positions, cost-basis records, and settled cash between accounts.
- Transfers usually complete in approximately 5–7 business days after initiation but can take longer if there are restrictions or non-standard assets.
- Once the receiving firm accepts the transfer, the assets on the sending account are typically locked and become inaccessible to the account owner.
How to initiate (practical steps)
- Open a Robinhood brokerage account (individual, joint, or eligible IRA) if you don’t already have one.
- In the Robinhood app or web interface, go to the transfer-in or "Transfer your assets in" flow.
- Choose full or partial transfer and enter the sending brokerage name and your account number at the sending firm.
- Verify account ownership names match exactly between both accounts.
- Select the securities (for partial) or choose full account transfer, confirm settlement instructions, and submit the transfer request.
- Monitor status in the Robinhood app and respond to any support requests. Keep records or screenshots of the initiation for reimbursement claims if applicable.
If you prefer, you can ask the sending brokerage to initiate the transfer using Robinhood’s DTC and firm identifiers, but most receiving firms (Robinhood) provide the transfer-in workflow to simplify this.
Processing considerations
- Settlement: only settled securities and cash are eligible to transfer in-kind. Trades settled but not yet posted may delay the transfer.
- Pending deposits: ACH deposits or checks that haven't settled won’t transfer until settled.
- Account restrictions: margin holds, negative balances, pending corporate actions, or regulatory holds can delay or block a transfer.
- Open orders and unsettled trades: these may need to be cancelled before transfer.
If you are asking "can i transfer stocks to robinhood" while having recent trades or pending deposits, expect the transfer team to require settlement first.
Eligible assets (what you can transfer into Robinhood)
Typical transferable assets include:
- Whole (not fractional) settled common and preferred stocks.
- Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are carried by both firms.
- Eligible options contracts and positions (subject to Robinhood’s options approval levels and restrictions). Options that are very close to expiration may be disallowed (see below).
- Settled cash balances.
- Margin balances where the receiving account supports margin and the account is margin-enabled.
If you have a question specific to an asset, start a support conversation with Robinhood and the sending brokerage to confirm compatibility before initiating the ACATS.
Non-transferable assets (what you cannot transfer in)
Commonly non-transferable assets include:
- Fractional shares (many brokerages track fractional ownership differently; Robinhood accepts fractional shares purchased on its platform but ACATS cannot move outside fractional shares into Robinhood in-kind).
- Crypto via ACATS. ACATS is a securities transfer system and does not move on-chain crypto — see the crypto-specific note below.
- Mutual funds (many mutual funds are not supported by ACATS or by Robinhood for third-party transfers).
- Bonds, CDs, and certain fixed-income products that are not carried in a transferable form by the receiving broker.
- Certain options strategies (complex multi-leg positions or options expiring within seven days may be disallowed). Robinhood typically restricts options that expire within seven days of transfer.
- Proprietary or restricted securities, account-level derivatives, annuities, and other non-standard or illiquid instruments.
If you specifically searched "can i transfer stocks to robinhood" thinking about mutual funds or bonds, note that those assets often require liquidation or other manual handling at the sending brokerage.
Internal transfers between Robinhood accounts
You can move eligible assets between your own Robinhood-owned accounts with fewer restrictions than ACATS. Typical rules:
- Transfers between your taxable Robinhood accounts are often near-instant or complete same-day for many eligible movable securities.
- Moving assets from a Robinhood individual account to a Robinhood IRA (or vice versa) may be restricted by tax rules and is usually not allowed as a simple internal transfer; rollovers may need additional steps.
- Crypto, where allowed, follows Robinhood Crypto’s rules: some internal crypto movements are possible but are governed by platform policy and regional rules.
- Managed or advisory accounts on Robinhood may have minimums or limits for internal moves.
- Daily transfer limits or minimal position values may apply for internal transfers; check Robinhood’s internal assets transfer guidance.
If you ask "can i transfer stocks to robinhood" from another of your Robinhood accounts, the process tends to be simpler than ACATS and often faster.
Transfers out of Robinhood (moving to another brokerage)
- ACATS out is supported for most whole, settled securities. Robinhood will process outgoing ACATS requests to other firms.
- Historically, Robinhood has charged an ACATS outgoing fee — check current policies. In the past, outgoing ACATS fees have been in the order of $75–$100 depending on account type and whether the transfer is full or partial.
- Fractional shares and crypto generally cannot be transferred out via ACATS; Robinhood often converts fractional shares to cash or requires selling prior to transfer.
- Full-account transfer-out may lead to account closure at Robinhood after the transfer completes.
If you plan to move assets out of Robinhood, verify which holdings are transferable at the receiving firm to avoid unexpected sell orders.
Fees and reimbursements
- Sending brokerages sometimes charge an outgoing transfer fee. Historically these fees vary and can be reimbursed by the receiving broker as a promotion.
- Robinhood has historically offered transfer reimbursements for incoming transfers up to a stated amount (for example, a limited reimbursement cap per transfer if conditions are met); always check current terms.
- Robinhood has, in the past, charged an ACATS out fee for outgoing transfers. Policies change; verify current fee schedules before initiating transfers.
If you plan a transfer based on a fee reimbursement, save receipts and confirmation emails. Reimbursement requests often require proof of the external fee.
Special account and asset considerations
Certain account types and asset states require extra attention.
Managed (advisory) accounts
- Managed or advisory accounts may have restrictions on transferring holdings. Some managed accounts contain proprietary strategies or holdings that cannot be moved in-kind.
- Transfers from a managed account often require coordination with your advisory service and may be limited to cash or selected liquid positions.
Margin and short positions
- Margin balances can be transferred if the receiving account is margin-enabled and the receiving firm accepts margin positions subject to its margin policy.
- Open short positions are complex. The receiving firm must be able to accept and carry short positions. Some brokerages do not accept transferred short positions and require shorts to be closed prior to transfer.
- Netting of positions and margin calls can occur during transfer. Ensure your receiving Robinhood account is approved for the same margin and options levels as the sending account.
Account ownership and matching names
- ACATS transfers require matching account ownership information. Transfers between accounts with different owners — including gifts, transfers to family members, or transfers into trusts — typically require non-ACATS processes or manual paperwork.
- For joint accounts, ownership names and tax ID numbers must match precisely.
If you’re asking "can i transfer stocks to robinhood" where the sending account owner is different, the standard answer is no; you’ll need a gift or transfer-of-ownership procedure.
Cost basis and tax reporting
- Cost-basis information is normally included in ACATS transfers if the sending brokerage provides it. That helps Robinhood generate accurate tax reporting (Form 1099) for future sales.
- If cost-basis data is missing or incomplete, Robinhood will use the information provided; discrepancies should be resolved with the sending brokerage to avoid incorrect tax reporting.
- Keep copies of transfer confirmations for tax records.
Crypto-specific note
- ACATS does not move on-chain cryptocurrency. If you own crypto at another firm, ACATS cannot transfer that crypto into Robinhood Crypto.
- Robinhood has separate crypto deposit and withdrawal procedures. In many cases, moving crypto to or from Robinhood involves on-chain wallet transfers or internal crypto deposit/withdrawal workflows.
- If you want a crypto-friendly alternative for custody or trading, consider Bitget Wallet for self-custody and Bitget exchange for trading; Bitget provides dedicated wallet solutions and deposit/withdrawal guides.
If your original query was "can i transfer stocks to robinhood" but you actually meant crypto, be aware these are distinct processes.
Common issues, delays, and troubleshooting
Common causes for transfer delays or failures include:
- Mismatched account names or account numbers.
- Unsettled trades or pending deposits at the sending brokerage.
- Account restrictions, negative balances, margin issues, or regulatory holds.
- Transfer requests for unsupported assets (fractional shares, unsupported mutual funds, proprietary products).
- Complex positions like open short trades or options near expiration.
What to check and do:
- Verify account names and numbers exactly match.
- Confirm that the holdings you want to move are settled.
- Cancel open orders that might block movement.
- Contact Robinhood support and the sending brokerage; have ACATS reference numbers and screenshots ready.
- For fee reimbursement claims, retain and provide receipts and official confirmations from the sending brokerage.
If a transfer stalls, direct contact with both brokerages speeds resolution. Keep records of all communications.
Timeline and summary table (concise)
- Typical ACATS timeframe: 5–7 business days after initiation.
- Transferable: whole settled stocks, ETFs, eligible options (subject to rules), settled cash.
- Non-transferable: fractional shares (in many cases), crypto via ACATS, many mutual funds, bonds/CDs not carried in supported form.
- Fees: sending broker may charge outgoing fees; Robinhood has historically offered limited incoming transfer reimbursements and charged outgoing ACATS fees — verify current policy.
| Item | Typical outcome | |---|---:| | Time to complete | ~5–7 business days | | Whole stocks & ETFs | Transferable if settled | | Fractional shares | Usually not transferable via ACATS | | Crypto | Not transferable via ACATS (use crypto-specific flows) | | Fees | External outgoing fee possible; Robinhood reimbursement historically available; outgoing ACATS fee historically charged |
Further reading and official references
- "Transfer your assets in" (Robinhood Help Center)
- "Transfer your assets out" (Robinhood Help Center)
- "Internal assets transfer" (Robinhood Help Center)
- "Transferring assets" overview (Robinhood Help Center)
- User guides and how-to videos on initiating transfers (verify content against Robinhood’s official policies)
As of January 20, 2026, according to Robinhood Help Center, policies and supported assets can change — verify the current details on Robinhood’s official support pages before initiating any transfer.
See also
- Account types: IRA vs. taxable accounts
- Margin investing and margin rules
- Options transfer rules and options approval levels
- Crypto transfer policies and on-chain deposit/withdrawal guides
- ACATS overview and industry standards for brokerage transfers
Practical checklist before you start
- Confirm Robinhood account type (individual/joint/IRA) and margin/options approvals.
- Check the sending brokerage for any outgoing transfer fees and whether holdings are transferable in-kind.
- Ensure position settlement and cancel open orders or pending deposits.
- Match account ownership information exactly (name, SSN/TIN, account number).
- Prepare screenshots and receipts to support any fee reimbursement claim.
- If you hold crypto, read the crypto-specific guidance and consider Bitget Wallet or Bitget exchange if you require dedicated crypto deposit/withdrawal flows.
Troubleshooting scenarios and examples
- Scenario: A mutual fund or bond is non-transferable. Solution: contact the sending firm to learn whether liquidation or a special transfer is required; expect tax consequences if positions are sold.
- Scenario: You have fractional shares at the sending firm. Solution: check whether the sending firm will cash-out fractional holdings or consolidate them; ACATS typically requires whole shares to transfer.
- Scenario: Options expiring within seven days. Solution: many firms block the transfer of near-expiration options. Close or exercise positions before initiating transfer or coordinate with support.
Safety and recordkeeping
- Always keep documentation: ACATS request confirmations, screenshots of holdings, emails from both firms, and receipts for fees.
- Monitor your tax documents after transfer; verify cost-basis moved correctly. If you notice a discrepancy, first contact the sending firm for correction and then follow up with Robinhood.
Final notes and next steps
If your core question was "can i transfer stocks to robinhood," the practical takeaway is: yes for most whole settled stocks and ETFs, subject to account matching, settlement, and asset eligibility. Transfers usually complete in 5–7 business days. Non-transferable items (fractional shares, crypto via ACATS, many mutual funds and bonds) require special handling.
If you plan a transfer now:
- Start the Robinhood transfer-in flow and choose full or partial transfer.
- Confirm which positions are eligible and ensure settlement.
- Save receipts and contact support quickly if a delay occurs.
For crypto users seeking an alternative custody and trading experience, Bitget Wallet and Bitget exchange provide dedicated wallet solutions and trading infrastructure—consider them where on-chain transfer and specialized crypto services are needed.
Further exploring transfers and account types will make the move smoother. If you’d like, I can generate a personalized pre-transfer checklist you can print and follow, including phrases to use when contacting support and an email template to request fee reimbursement.























