How to close a Fidelity account

Fidelity does not have a single "delete account" button. Closing an account depends on what type of account you have and whether it holds money or securities. Most people need to contact Fidelity directly by phone, mail, or through their online message center — the process cannot be completed through the website alone. If your account holds investments or cash, you will need to decide what to do with that money before Fidelity can close the account.

The fastest route is calling Fidelity's customer service at 1-800-343-3548. Have your account number ready. They will walk you through what needs to happen before closure and may ask you to sign documents by mail or electronically, depending on your account type.

Key Takeaways

  • Fidelity accounts cannot be deleted online; you must contact customer service by phone, mail, or secure message.
  • If your account holds cash or investments, you must withdraw or transfer the money before Fidelity will close it.
  • The phone number for account closure is 1-800-343-3548, and the process usually takes one to two weeks after you submit required documents.
  • If you have a retirement account like an IRA or 401(k), closing it may have tax consequences, so confirm the rules before you proceed.

What happens to money and investments in your account

Before Fidelity closes your account, you must move any cash or securities out of it. You have two options: withdraw the money to your bank account, or transfer the investments to another brokerage.

If you want to withdraw cash, Fidelity will send it to the bank account on file. This usually takes three to five business days. If you hold stocks, mutual funds, or other securities, you can sell them and withdraw the proceeds, or you can transfer them to another brokerage in-kind (meaning the securities move as they are, without being sold). A transfer to another brokerage typically takes five to ten business days.

Do not leave money sitting in the account while waiting for closure. Fidelity may charge inactivity fees on some account types, and the closure process will not move forward until the account balance is zero.

Closing a retirement account (IRA or 401k)

If your Fidelity account is a retirement account — an IRA, Roth IRA, SEP-IRA, or inherited IRA — closing it has tax consequences. The IRS treats a full withdrawal as a distribution, which means you may owe income tax on the amount withdrawn, and if you are under 59½, you may also owe a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty.

Before you close a retirement account, contact Fidelity and ask them to explain the tax impact for your specific situation. If you are rolling the money into another retirement account at a different institution, that transfer may avoid the tax hit — but only if it is done as a direct rollover (trustee to trustee), not as a withdrawal to you personally.

If you have a 401(k) through an employer, you cannot close it while you are still employed at that company. You can only close it after you leave the job, retire, or reach the plan's distribution age.

Steps to request account closure

By phone: Call 1-800-343-3548 and tell the representative you want to close your account. Confirm that your account balance is zero before you call. They will ask for your account number and may verify your identity. The representative will explain any remaining steps and may send you documents to sign.

By mail: Write a letter to Fidelity requesting closure. Include your full name, account number, and the reason for closure (optional). Mail it to Fidelity's address — you can find the correct mailing address for your account type on the Fidelity website under "Contact Us." Keep a copy for your records.

Through secure message: Log into your Fidelity account online, go to the "Messages" or "Contact Us" section, and send a secure message requesting closure. Fidelity will respond within one to two business days with next steps.

What documents you may need to provide

Fidelity may ask you to sign a closure form or authorization document. If you are closing the account by mail, they will send this to you. If you are closing by phone, they may offer to send it electronically for your signature, or they may mail it.

Keep copies of any signed documents. If Fidelity later sends you a bill or statement for the closed account, you will have proof that you requested closure and when.

If you are transferring securities to another brokerage, that brokerage will handle the transfer request on their end — you do not need to do anything else with Fidelity beyond confirming the transfer is authorized.

How long closure takes

After you submit all required documents and your account balance is zero, Fidelity usually closes the account within one to two weeks. If you are transferring securities, the closure may take longer because Fidelity must wait for the transfer to complete first.

You will receive a final statement or confirmation once the account is closed. If you do not hear back within three weeks, call customer service again to check the status.

What to do if you cannot access your account

If you have forgotten your password or cannot log in, you can still request closure by phone or mail. Call 1-800-343-3548 and explain that you cannot access your account. Fidelity will verify your identity using other information and can process the closure request without requiring you to log in online.

If your account has been inactive for a long time, Fidelity may have frozen it or flagged it for security reasons. Customer service can unlock it temporarily so you can move your money, or they can walk you through closure without reactivating it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my Fidelity account hurt my credit?

No. Closing a brokerage account does not affect your credit score. Credit bureaus only track credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit. Brokerage accounts are investment accounts, not credit accounts, so they do not appear on your credit report.

Can I reopen a Fidelity account after I close it?

Yes. You can open a new Fidelity account at any time. If you closed your account in good standing, there is no waiting period. Fidelity will treat it as a new account, so you will need to set up login credentials and funding again.

What if I have pending transactions when I try to close?

Fidelity will not close your account if there are pending transfers, trades, or other transactions in progress. Wait for all pending activity to settle (usually one to three business days), then request closure again. Ask customer service to confirm that everything has settled before you submit your closure request.

Do I need to close my account, or can I just stop using it?

You can stop using it, but Fidelity may charge inactivity fees on some account types if the balance stays low or zero for an extended period. Formally closing the account prevents future fees and removes the account from your name entirely. If you plan never to use it again, closure is cleaner.

What happens to my statements after I close the account?

Fidelity keeps records of closed accounts. You can request copies of old statements by calling customer service or logging into your account if Fidelity keeps it accessible for a period after closure. Most brokerages keep records for at least seven years for tax purposes.