Depositing shares into your E-Trade account means moving stocks you own elsewhere into E-Trade so you can manage them all in one place

E-Trade calls this process an Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS) transfer when you're moving shares from another brokerage. The shares themselves don't move physically — your old broker sends electronic instructions to E-Trade with details about what you own, and E-Trade receives them on their end. The whole process usually takes three to five business days, though it can stretch to two weeks if your old broker is slow or if there are complications with the transfer.

You can also deposit shares directly if you own physical stock certificates, though this is rare now. That route requires you to mail the certificates to E-Trade's transfer agent, and it takes longer and involves more paperwork. Most people transferring shares are moving them from another online brokerage, so the ACATS route is what you'll use.

Key Takeaways

  • E-Trade receives shares from your old brokerage through an electronic transfer called ACATS, which takes three to five business days in most cases.
  • You initiate the transfer from E-Trade's side, not from your old broker, by providing your old account number and the brokerage name.
  • Your old broker may charge a transfer fee (typically $25 to $100), and E-Trade will reimburse it if you meet their account balance requirements.
  • Fractional shares, options, and certain mutual funds may not transfer and will need to be sold at your old broker before the transfer starts.
  • Once shares arrive at E-Trade, you can sell them, use them as collateral for margin, or hold them indefinitely without any action needed.

Starting the transfer from E-Trade

Log into your E-Trade account and go to the Transfers section, usually found under Account or Accounts & Trade. Look for the option labeled "Transfer Securities" or "Move My Account." E-Trade will ask you to choose whether you're transferring from another brokerage (ACATS) or depositing physical certificates. Select the brokerage option.

You'll need to provide your old brokerage name, your account number there, and the login credentials or authorization for that account. E-Trade uses this information to contact your old broker directly. You'll also specify which securities you want to transfer — you can move everything or select specific stocks. If you have fractional shares or certain types of holdings, E-Trade will flag those and tell you they can't transfer; you'll need to sell those at your old broker before the transfer completes.

What your old broker will do

Once E-Trade sends the transfer request to your old brokerage, your old broker has to verify the request and prepare your account for the move. This is where delays often happen. Some brokers process transfers quickly; others take a week or more. Your old broker may also charge a transfer fee, usually between $25 and $100, which they'll deduct from your account before sending the shares.

E-Trade offers to reimburse transfer fees if your new account has at least $25,000 in assets within 30 days of the transfer completing. Check E-Trade's current reimbursement policy when you start the transfer, since this amount can change. If your old broker charges a fee and you don't meet E-Trade's threshold, you'll absorb the cost.

What happens during the transfer window

While your shares are in transit (usually three to five business days), you won't be able to trade them at either brokerage. They're in limbo. Your old broker will show them as pending transfer, and E-Trade won't show them yet. This is normal and expected. If the transfer takes longer than a week, contact E-Trade's transfer team to check status — sometimes a broker loses paperwork or needs clarification.

Don't sell the shares at your old broker during this window, and don't try to initiate another transfer. Either action can cancel the transfer in progress and force you to start over. If you need cash urgently, wait until the shares land at E-Trade, then sell them there.

After shares arrive at E-Trade

Once the transfer completes, your shares will appear in your E-Trade account with their original cost basis and purchase dates intact. E-Trade imports this information from your old broker so your tax records stay accurate. You can now sell them, hold them, or use them as collateral if you have a margin account. There's no waiting period — you can trade them immediately.

Check that the number of shares and the security names match what you expected. Occasionally a share gets recorded under a slightly different ticker or name, especially if a company changed its symbol. If something looks wrong, contact E-Trade support with your old broker's account statement as proof of what should have transferred.

Shares that won't transfer and what to do about them

Fractional shares almost never transfer through ACATS. If you own 10.5 shares of a stock, the 0.5 will stay at your old broker. You'll need to sell it there before the transfer, or leave it behind and deal with it later. Some mutual funds, especially those sold through specific fund families, also won't transfer. E-Trade will tell you upfront which holdings can't move.

Options contracts don't transfer through ACATS either. If you hold options at your old broker, you must close them (sell to close or let them expire) before the transfer. You can't simply move an open option position to E-Trade. Plan ahead if you have options you want to keep — you may need to close them at your old broker and re-open similar positions at E-Trade, which can trigger tax events.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for shares to show up in my E-Trade account?

Most transfers complete in three to five business days. Some take up to two weeks if your old broker is slow or if there are issues with the transfer request. You can check the status in E-Trade's Transfers section or call their transfer team for an update if it's been more than a week.

Will I owe taxes when I transfer shares?

No. Moving shares from one brokerage to another is not a taxable event. Your cost basis and holding period transfer with the shares, so your tax situation doesn't change. You only owe taxes when you sell the shares.

Can I transfer shares while I have an outstanding margin loan?

It depends on your old broker's rules. Some brokers won't allow transfers if you have a margin balance. You may need to pay down the loan first, or the transfer will be rejected. Check with your old broker before starting the transfer.

What if my old broker charges a fee and E-Trade doesn't reimburse it?

If your account balance falls short of E-Trade's reimbursement threshold, the fee stays with you. You can try contacting E-Trade to ask about a one-time exception, especially if the fee is high, but they're not obligated to cover it. Some brokers waive fees if you ask, so it's worth calling your old broker to negotiate before the transfer starts.

Can I transfer shares that are held in a trust or an IRA?

Yes, but the account type must match. You can't transfer shares from a regular taxable account into an IRA at E-Trade, or vice versa. If you're moving an IRA, the transfer must go from one IRA to another IRA. Trusts and other account types have their own rules — contact E-Trade before starting to confirm your account type can receive the transfer.