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How to Transfer Stocks Between Brokerages

Updated
Matt Koppenheffer
Author: Matt Koppenheffer
Matt Koppenheffer
Matt Koppenheffer

Matt Koppenheffer is the former Head of the Coverage Team at The Motley Fool. He was a full-time Motley Fool employee from 2012-2025 and is a former advisor and analyst for multiple Motley Fool services. Matt's articles and analysis have been published around the world and his views have been cited in worldwide publications from the Financial Times and The New York Times to the Toronto Star and Germany's Focus Money. He has appeared to offer analysis on a variety of outlets including CNBC and NPR. Matt is the co-author of The Astonishing Collapse of MF Global as well as the creator and former co-host of The Motley Fool's Industry Focus podcast.

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Transferring stocks between brokerages might sound daunting, but don't worry -- it's easier than it looks. Whether you're moving to a new brokerage for lower fees, better tools, or something else, transferring your stocks is simple when you understand the process. Below, we provide a step-by-step breakdown so you can transition with confidence.

Step 1: Prepare for your transfer

There are a few things you'll need to do before you start moving your stocks over. Here's how to get ready for a transfer.

Check in with your current brokerage

Settle any outstanding fees. Unpaid fees or other issues could delay your transfer.

Read up on outgoing transfer fees. Some brokerages charge a fee when you move stocks out of your brokerage account. Your new brokerage might reimburse you for these fees -- check with them if you're concerned.

Read the fine print at your new brokerage

Make sure your new brokerage supports the stocks you'd like to transfer. Some brokerages don't support certain types of stocks, like fractional shares.

If you're transferring other types of investments, make sure the new brokerage also supports those investments.

Gather your details

You'll need some information to complete the transfer paperwork. Here's what to write down:

  • Account numbers: You'll need both your current and new account numbers.
  • Stock details: Record the symbols and quantities of the investments you want to move.

Your brokerage won't ask for stock details if you're moving your entire account. However, you should still write this information down for your personal records. Tracking your holdings can help you verify the transfer went through without any hiccups.

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Step 2: Transfer your stocks between brokerages

Here's how to move stocks from one brokerage to another:

  1. Log into your new brokerage account: Find the "Account Transfer" option in the menu.
  2. Fill out the paperwork: Most brokerages use the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS), so you'll likely be asked to fill out an ACATS form to initiate the transfer.
  3. Choose your transfer type:
    • Transferring assets directly is the smoothest way to move stocks to a new brokerage.
    • Liquidating and transferring cash is helpful if you want to reinvest differently, but this strategy could impact your taxes.

Step 3: Wait for the transfer to complete

ACATS transfers usually take about five to seven business days to process. During this time, your investments will be out of reach.

Check on the status from time to time through your new brokerage. Delayed ACATS paperwork must be resolved within two days, or the transfer is canceled. Reach out to your brokerage if you notice your paperwork has hit a road bump.

Step 4: Verify your assets transferred correctly

Once the process is complete, double-check everything:

  • Compare holdings: Ensure all your stocks arrived, and the quantity of each matches your records.
  • Spot issues early: If anything is missing or looks off, contact your new brokerage right away to get it resolved.

What if my stocks can't be transferred to my new brokerage?

There are a few reasons your stocks might not have transferred successfully:

  • Your new brokerage doesn't accept the type of stock you're trying to transfer.
  • The type of stock you'd like to transfer isn't eligible for an ACATS transfer.
  • The information entered on your form was incorrect.

If your stocks failed to transfer, reach out to your new brokerage to understand why. They should have more detailed information on the cause of the failure and next steps, if applicable.

What if I entered some account details incorrectly?

If you entered some details incorrectly, the transfer should fail. Reach out to your new brokerage and ask about re-submitting your ACATs form.

If you're ready to find your new brokerage account, check out our list of the top brokerage accounts to find the right one for you.

FAQs

  • No, you usually can't transfer fractional shares. Check with your old and new brokerages to be sure. If you can't transfer your shares, you can usually liquidate them and transfer the cash.

  • Yes, you can transfer a retirement account. You'll usually need to transfer the old account to a new account of the same type: Roth IRA to Roth IRA, for example. Look into the rules for your specific account type before transferring to make sure you can transfer your assets smoothly.