How to close your Robinhood account
You can close your Robinhood account through the app or website in about five minutes. The process requires you to sell or transfer out any stocks, options, or crypto you hold, bring your account balance to zero or request a withdrawal, and then submit a closure request. Robinhood will confirm the closure by email, usually within a few business days.
The main thing to know upfront: you cannot close an account that still holds positions or has a balance. If you have unsettled cash (money from a recent sale that has not yet cleared), you will need to wait for settlement or withdraw it first. If you have stocks you want to keep, you will need to transfer them to another brokerage before closing.
Key Takeaways
- Sell all stocks, options, and crypto or transfer them to another brokerage before you can close your account.
- Your account balance must be zero; withdraw any remaining cash through the app or wait for it to settle.
- The closure request is made in Account Settings under the Profile or Account menu, depending on whether you use the app or website.
- Robinhood will send a confirmation email once your account is closed, which typically takes a few business days.
- If you have an outstanding margin balance or owe money, you must pay it before closure is possible.
Sell or transfer your holdings before closing
Any open positions — stocks, options, crypto, or fractional shares — must be gone before Robinhood will let you close the account. You have two choices: sell everything, or transfer it to another brokerage.
Selling is the faster route. Open the app or website, go to each position, and tap or click Sell. Market orders execute immediately during trading hours. If you hold crypto, the process is the same: navigate to your crypto holdings and sell. Options positions must also be closed; you cannot transfer them out, so selling is your only option.
If you want to keep your stocks and move them elsewhere, use Robinhood's transfer feature. Go to Account Settings, find the transfer option, and request an outbound transfer to your new brokerage. You will need your new account number and routing information. Transfers typically take three to five business days. During that time, your Robinhood account will be locked and you cannot trade.
Withdraw or settle your cash balance
Once your positions are gone, check your account balance. If you have cash sitting in your account, you need to withdraw it. Go to Account Settings, select Transfers, and request a withdrawal to your linked bank account. Robinhood will send the money back to the bank you originally funded from.
If you recently sold something, that cash may be unsettled — meaning it has not yet cleared from the sale. Stocks typically settle in two business days; crypto settles faster. You can either wait for settlement to complete, or withdraw the unsettled cash (though some brokerages charge a small fee for this). Once the balance reads zero, you are ready to close.
If you have a negative balance — meaning you owe Robinhood money — you must pay it before closure. This usually happens if you used margin (borrowed money to trade) and have an outstanding debt. Pay the balance through the app or website, and wait for it to clear before requesting closure.
Request account closure in settings
With all positions sold and your balance at zero, go to your account settings. On the mobile app, tap the Account icon (usually at the bottom right), then scroll to find Account Settings or Profile. On the website, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Account Settings.
Look for an option labeled "Close Account," "Deactivate Account," or "Account Closure." The exact wording varies slightly between the app and website. Tap or click it, and Robinhood will ask you to confirm. You may be asked why you are closing — this is optional feedback, not a barrier to closure.
Submit the request. Robinhood will send a confirmation email to the address on file. The account is not immediately closed; the company processes closures in batches, usually within a few business days. You will receive a second email once the closure is complete.
What happens after you submit the closure request
Your account will remain accessible for a short period after you submit the request, but you will not be able to trade. Any pending transfers or withdrawals will continue to process. Do not attempt to reopen positions or deposit new funds during this window.
Once Robinhood confirms closure by email, your account is gone. You will no longer see it in the app or on the website. If you need records of your trading history for taxes or other reasons, download your statements before closing. After closure, accessing old statements becomes more difficult.
If you cannot close your account
The most common reason closure fails is a remaining balance or open position. Check your account one more time: do you have any fractional shares, pending transfers, or unsettled cash? Fractional shares are easy to miss — they show up in your holdings but may not be obvious at first glance. Sell them like any other position.
If you have a margin account with an outstanding balance, you must pay it in full. Robinhood will not close an account with debt. If you are unsure whether you owe money, go to Account Settings and look for a Buying Power or Account Balance section — a negative number means you owe.
If you have recently transferred money in or out, wait for it to settle before requesting closure. Pending transactions can block the closure process. If you are still stuck, contact Robinhood support through the app or website; they can tell you what is preventing closure and walk you through the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my Robinhood account after closing it?
Yes, you can create a new account using the same email address or a different one. However, you will start fresh — your old account history and any watchlists are gone. If you closed because of a specific issue, that issue may still exist in a new account, so think through whether reopening makes sense.
What if I have a pending deposit when I try to close?
Wait for the deposit to clear and settle into your account, then withdraw it before requesting closure. Robinhood will not close an account with pending transactions. If the deposit is taking longer than expected, contact support to check its status.
Do I need to close my account to stop trading?
No. You can simply stop using the app and leave your account open. However, if you want to remove the account entirely and do not plan to return, closure is the cleaner option. An inactive account still appears in your financial records and may show up in background checks.
Will closing my account affect my credit score?
Closing a brokerage account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on borrowing and repayment history, not investment accounts. Robinhood does not report account closures to credit bureaus.
How long does it take to close a Robinhood account?
The request takes about five minutes to submit. Robinhood typically confirms closure within a few business days, though it can sometimes take longer depending on their processing queue. You will receive an email confirmation once it is complete.