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How to Open a Fidelity Account: Guide to Brokerage Accounts and Roth IRAs

By remohoson June 20, 2026 - 1:12am

Opening a Fidelity account is one of the simplest ways to start investing, saving for retirement, and building long-term wealth. Whether we want to open a brokerage account, create a Roth IRA, or establish a traditional IRA, the process can be completed online in just a few minutes.

This guide explains exactly how to open a Fidelity account, the documents required, account types available, fees, and the complete application process.

Types of Fidelity Accounts We Can Open

Before starting the application, it is important to choose the right account type.

Fidelity Brokerage Account

A brokerage account allows us to:

Buy and sell stocks
Invest in ETFs
Purchase mutual funds
Trade bonds and CDs
Invest in index funds
Hold cash for future investments

This account is suitable for investors seeking flexibility because there are no contribution limits or withdrawal restrictions.

Fidelity Roth IRA

A Roth IRA is a retirement account funded with after-tax money.

Benefits include:

Tax-free qualified withdrawals
Tax-free investment growth
No required minimum distributions during the owner's lifetime
Access to thousands of investment choices

This account is ideal for long-term retirement savings.

Traditional IRA

A Traditional IRA offers:

Potential tax deductions
Tax-deferred investment growth
Wide investment choices
Flexible contribution options

Taxes are generally paid when withdrawals begin during retirement.

Cash Management Account

This account combines investing and banking features such as:

Debit card access
ATM fee reimbursements
Bill pay services
Mobile deposits
FDIC-insured cash balances

Requirements to Open a Fidelity Account

To open a Fidelity account, we generally need the following:

Personal Information

Prepare:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Residential address
Email address
Mobile phone number
Citizenship information

Identification Information

We must provide:

Social Security Number (SSN)
Government-issued identification
Employment details
Annual income information

Banking Information

For electronic funding, we need:

Bank routing number
Bank account number
Account ownership details

Having these information ready speeds up the application process.

How to Open a Fidelity Brokerage Account

The brokerage account application is straightforward.

Step 1: Visit Fidelity

Go to Fidelity's official website and select Open an Account.

Choose Brokerage Account from the list of available accounts.

Step 2: Create Login Credentials

If we are new customers:

Enter an email address
Create a username
Choose a secure password
Set security questions

Existing customers can simply sign in.

Step 3: Enter Personal Details

Provide:

Name
Address
Social Security Number
Date of birth
Employment information
Citizenship status

Fidelity uses this information to verify identity and comply with financial regulations.

Step 4: Add Banking Information

Link a bank account by entering:

Routing number
Account number
Bank name

This enables:

Electronic deposits
Withdrawals
Recurring investments

Step 5: Review and Submit

Review all information carefully.

Accept:

Brokerage agreements
Electronic delivery options
Terms and conditions

Submit the application.

Many applicants receive approval within minutes.

How to Open a Roth IRA with Fidelity

Opening a Roth IRA follows a similar process.

Step 1: Select Roth IRA

Choose Roth IRA from Fidelity's retirement account options.

Step 2: Complete Personal Information

Enter:

Full legal name
SSN
Address
Date of birth
Employment status

Step 3: Choose Contribution Method

We can fund the account through:

Bank transfer
Check deposit
Rollover from another retirement account
Employer retirement plan transfer

Many investors choose automatic monthly contributions.

Step 4: Select Investments

After funding the account, choose investments such as:

Index funds
Mutual funds
ETFs
Individual stocks
Target-date retirement funds

Diversification helps reduce investment risk.

How to Set Up a Roth IRA with Fidelity for Beginners

For beginners, a simple setup often works best.

Recommended Allocation

Investment Type

Allocation

U.S. Index Fund

50%

International Index Fund

20%

Bond Fund

20%

Cash

10%

Alternatively, we may select a target-date fund that automatically adjusts the portfolio as retirement approaches.

How to Open an IRA Account with Fidelity?

The process for opening an IRA account is:

Choose Traditional IRA or Roth IRA.
Create or sign in to a Fidelity account.
Enter personal and tax information.
Link a bank account.
Fund the IRA.
Select investments.
Submit the application.

Approval often occurs the same day.

Minimum Deposit Requirements

One advantage of Fidelity is its flexibility.

Brokerage Account

No minimum opening deposit
Start investing with small amounts
Fractional share investing available

Roth IRA

No minimum to open
Contributions can begin with modest amounts
Automatic investing supported

Mutual Funds

Some funds have:

No minimum investment
Low minimum requirements
Higher minimums depending on the fund

Always check the individual fund requirements before investing.

Fidelity Account Fees

Fidelity is known for low-cost investing.

Brokerage Account Fees

Service

Fee

Account Opening

Account Maintenance

Online U.S. Stock Trades

ETFs

$0 Commission

Account Closing

IRA Fees

Service

Fee

Roth IRA Opening

Traditional IRA Opening

Annual Maintenance

Online Stock Trades

Investment products themselves may have expense ratios.

Documents Required to Open a Fidelity Investment Account

The following documents may be requested:

Identity Documents

Passport
Driver's license
State ID card

Financial Information

Employer information
Annual income
Net worth estimate
Investment experience

Banking Documents

Voided check
Bank statement
Routing number

Keeping these documents ready can reduce application delays.

Common Reasons for Application Delays

Applications may take longer if:

Name does not match government records
Incorrect SSN is entered
Address verification fails
Banking details are incorrect
Identity documents require additional verification

Double-checking all details before submission helps avoid delays.

Can We Open Multiple Fidelity Accounts?

Yes.

Many investors maintain:

One brokerage account
One Roth IRA
One Traditional IRA
One Cash Management Account
Custodial accounts for children

Each account serves a different financial purpose.

How Long Does It Take to Open a Fidelity Account?

Typical timelines are:

Account Type

Estimated Time

Brokerage Account

10–15 minutes

Roth IRA

10–20 minutes

Traditional IRA

10–20 minutes

Cash Management Account

10–15 minutes

Most accounts receive approval quickly if all information is accurate.

Final Thoughts

Opening a Fidelity account is a straightforward process that gives us access to brokerage accounts, Roth IRAs, Traditional IRAs, and a broad range of investment products. By preparing identification documents, banking information, and selecting the appropriate account type in advance, we can complete the application quickly and begin investing with confidence. Whether the goal is retirement planning through a Roth IRA or flexible investing through a brokerage account, Fidelity offers a simple and efficient path to getting started.