How to Open a Fidelity Brokerage Account?

Opening a Fidelity brokerage account generally takes 10 to 15 minutes if all required information is available.

Step 1: Visit Fidelity's Official Website

Begin by navigating to Fidelity's official website and selecting the option to open an account.
We can choose from:
  • Individual Brokerage Account
  • Joint Brokerage Account
  • Roth IRA
  • Traditional IRA
  • Cash Management Account
  • Youth Account
  • Business Account
For general investing, choose the Individual Brokerage Account.
 

Step 2: Create Your Login Credentials

If we are new customers, Fidelity requires:
  • Email address
  • Username
  • Strong password
  • Mobile phone number
A verification code may be sent through email or SMS to confirm identity.
 

Step 3: Provide Personal Information

Fidelity requires several pieces of information due to financial regulations.
We need:
  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security Number
  • Residential address
  • Citizenship status
  • Employment information
  • Annual income
  • Investment experience
This information helps Fidelity verify identity and comply with federal regulations.
 

Step 4: Select Account Features

During the application, Fidelity may ask whether we want:
  • Margin trading
  • Options trading
  • Check writing privileges
  • Debit card access
  • Automatic investing
  • Dividend reinvestment
Most beginner investors choose standard cash account first and add features later if needed.
 

Step 5: Review and Submit the Application

Before submitting:
  • Verify personal information
  • Confirm tax information
  • Review account agreements
  • Accept terms and conditions
Once submitted, Fidelity usually approves accounts within minutes, although some applications may require additional identity verification.
 

How to Open Fidelity Brokerage Account Online?

Many investors ask specifically how to open Fidelity brokerage account online without visiting a branch.
The process is entirely digital.
We simply:
  1. Go to Fidelity.
  2. Click Open an Account.
  3. Choose Brokerage Account.
  4. Enter personal details.
  5. Verify identity.
  6. Link a bank account.
  7. Fund the account.
Once funded, we can immediately begin investing in eligible securities.
 

How Do I Open a Fidelity Account?

The answer depends on the type of account we need.
Fidelity offers multiple account types:

Individual Brokerage Account

Best for:
  • General investing
  • Buying stocks and ETFs
  • Building long-term wealth
  • Taxable investment accounts

Joint Brokerage Account

Ideal for:
  • Married couples
  • Shared investment goals
  • Joint ownership

Cash Management Account

Best for:
  • Everyday banking
  • Direct deposits
  • ATM access
  • Bill payments

Retirement Accounts

Includes:
  • Roth IRA
  • Traditional IRA
  • Rollover IRA
  • SEP IRA
Selecting the right account depends on financial goals, tax strategy, and retirement planning needs.
 

How to Open a Fidelity Investment Account?

Opening a Fidelity investment account follows a simple online process.

Required Documents

Prepare:
  • Government-issued ID
  • Social Security Number
  • Bank account information
  • Employment details
  • Annual income estimate
Having these documents ready speeds up approval.
 

Funding the Account

After approval, Fidelity allows multiple funding methods:

Bank Transfer

The most common option.
We can:
  • Link checking accounts
  • Link savings accounts
  • Schedule one-time deposits
  • Set recurring investments

Wire Transfer

Ideal for larger deposits.
Funds often arrive the same business day.

Transfer an Existing Brokerage Account

If we already invest elsewhere, Fidelity offers an account transfer service.
We can move:
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Mutual funds
  • Cash balances
Most transfers take between 5 and 10 business days.