You must be at least 18 years old to open a Robinhood account

Robinhood requires all account holders to be 18 or older. This is a legal requirement set by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), not a choice Robinhood makes alone. If you are under 18, you cannot open your own brokerage account with Robinhood or any other regulated investment platform.

The age requirement applies whether you want to trade stocks, options, cryptocurrencies, or any other asset class Robinhood offers. There is no exception for minors with parental permission or co-signed accounts — the rule is absolute across the industry.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 18 years old to open a Robinhood account; this is a federal regulatory requirement, not a company policy.
  • Minors cannot trade through Robinhood even with parental permission or a co-signed account.
  • Parents can open a custodial brokerage account at other platforms like Fidelity or Charles Schwab, which allow minors to trade under parental supervision.
  • Some platforms offer educational accounts or paper trading for minors to learn without real money.

What happens if you try to open an account under 18

Robinhood's account creation process asks for your date of birth. If you enter a date that makes you under 18, the platform will reject your application. You will not be able to proceed to funding or trading, and Robinhood will not create a partial account or put you on a waitlist until you turn 18.

Attempting to use false information to bypass the age check violates Robinhood's terms of service and could result in account closure and forfeiture of any funds in the account. It also exposes you to legal liability, since securities fraud applies to minors as well as adults.

Custodial accounts as an alternative for minors

If you are under 18 and want to invest, your parent or guardian can open a custodial brokerage account in your name at platforms like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or E*TRADE. These accounts are held in your name but controlled by the adult until you reach the age of majority (usually 18 or 21, depending on your state).

A custodial account lets you learn about investing and build a portfolio while a parent oversees the trades. The adult can set restrictions on what you can buy, how much you can trade, or whether you can trade at all. When you turn 18 or 21, the account converts to a standard account in your name alone.

Robinhood does not offer custodial accounts, so this route requires opening an account elsewhere. Check with your parent's current bank or brokerage first — many offer custodial accounts to existing customers with simpler paperwork.

Paper trading and educational platforms for learning

If you want to practice trading without real money before you turn 18, some platforms offer paper trading or simulated accounts. These let you trade with virtual money to learn how markets work, test strategies, and understand how commissions and taxes affect returns.

Robinhood does not offer a paper trading mode. However, platforms like TD Ameritrade's thinkorswim, Webull, and MarketWatch all provide free simulated trading accounts with no age restriction. These are educational tools only — no real money changes hands, and you cannot withdraw earnings.

What changes when you turn 18

Once you turn 18, you can open a Robinhood account immediately. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and employment information during signup. Robinhood will verify your identity and run a background check before approving the account.

If you had a custodial account as a minor, you can keep it or open a separate Robinhood account — the two are independent. Some people keep their custodial account for long-term holdings and open Robinhood for active trading, though this means managing two separate platforms and tax documents.

Identity verification and why Robinhood asks for your age

Robinhood collects your date of birth as part of identity verification required by the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money-laundering regulations. The platform uses this information to confirm you are who you claim to be and to flag accounts that might be used for fraud or illegal activity.

The age requirement itself comes from securities law: only adults can enter into binding contracts with brokerages. A minor's contracts are generally voidable, meaning they can be cancelled, which creates legal and financial risk for the brokerage. Federal regulators prohibit brokerages from accepting accounts from anyone under 18 to prevent this problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my parent open a Robinhood account and let me trade on it?

No. Your parent's account is in their name, and they are legally responsible for all trades and losses. If you trade without authorization, it could be considered fraud. If your parent gives you access intentionally, they are liable for any violations of securities law. A custodial account at another platform is the legal way to do this.

What if I turn 18 before Robinhood processes my application?

If you applied before turning 18 and were rejected, you can reapply after your 18th birthday. Start a new application with your current date of birth. There is no waiting period — you can open an account the day you turn 18.

Does Robinhood verify your age after you open an account?

Robinhood verifies your identity during signup using the information you provide and third-party databases. If you provided false information, the account can be closed and funds frozen during an investigation. Robinhood also reports suspicious accounts to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

Are there any investment platforms with lower age requirements?

No. All regulated brokerages in the United States must follow the same federal rules. Any platform claiming to let minors trade without a custodial account is either unregulated (and therefore risky) or misrepresenting its rules. Stick to custodial accounts or paper trading until you are 18.