It depends on the specifics of your transfer. As part of Fidelity's online transfer process, we'll determine if your current firm accepts an electronic request to release your assets to us. If your firm does not, we'll provide a prefilled Transfer assets to Fidelity form that you can quickly print, sign, and mail to Fidelity.

As part of our online transfer process, we'll help open new account types that you may need.

In some cases, your current firm may require all owners on both the account you are transferring as well as the Fidelity account receiving the assets to sign the Transfer assets to Fidelity form.

This depends on the specific kinds of investments you hold. Some mutual funds may need to be sold and transferred over as cash. Most stocks will transfer over in-kind, but if you own stocks trading at less than $1.00 a share, these securities may need to be sold as well and transferred over as cash.

The exact time frame depends on the type of transfer and your current firm. If your current firm accepts electronic requests, the transfer will take approximately 5 days to process. Transfer requests that must be mailed to your current firm may take 2 to 4 weeks to complete. You should receive an email notification when your assets are in your Fidelity account. Once the assets are here, you'll have full access to your cash and securities. You can track the progress of your transfer online at any time with our Transfer TrackerLog In Required.

In most cases, if you're moving a retirement account to a Fidelity retirement account of the same type, you likely won't incur taxes. We don't charge a fee to move assets from another institution; however, your current firm may charge to transfer your assets to us.

If you've experienced a major life event, like marriage, divorce, or the loss of a loved one, you may be asked to provide additional documentation as part of the transfer process.

The table below shows the paperwork you'll need if the name information registered on your current external accounts differs from what you have at Fidelity.

If you are transferring assets after the loss of a loved one, our Inheritance checklist can walk you through any additional steps you may need to take.

Currently, online transfers are not offered for ABLE or 529 accounts. Please download and complete the 529 rollover form (PDF) or ABLE rollover form (PDF) to proceed.

Yes. If you are transferring options or investments held in margin, those investments will initially transfer in-kind to Fidelity in the same time frame as other investments. However, Fidelity recommends that, in advance of your transfer, you apply for options trading with FidelityLog In Required when transferring options and apply for margin trading at FidelityLog In Required when transferring investments held in margin.

Please note: Per federal regulations, if you do not have an options agreement on file within 15 days of an options transfer, Fidelity is required to liquidate your investment. For investments held in margin, you have 30 days to complete a margin trading agreement before investments must be liquidated.

For most transfers, your current firm will send the assets to Fidelity all at once. However, if your transfer includes assets that must be sold first or if you have pending activity, your current firm may send those assets once they are settled. In instances like that, your assets will be transferred to Fidelity in batches and you may see a balance with your current firm until the transaction is completed.