Fidelity ACAT Fee
Fidelity does not charge ACAT fees for either full or partial transfers. There are also no ACAT transfer charges
for any IRA accounts: traditional IRA, ROTH IRA, SEP, and SIMPLE IRA.
If you choose to close a retirement account, Fidelity does not charge an IRA account termination
fee. Learn How to cancel your Fidelity account »
To find out how to move your Fidelity Investments account to another brokerage,
read this guide »
Fidelity Wire Transfer Fees
Fidelity does not charge any fees for both international and domestic wire transfers.
Fidelity Account Transfer Steps
You can move either a brokerage or managed account from Fidelity to Schwab. If you use Fidelity Go, which is Fidelity’s robo-advisor service, only cash can be sent to Schwab. In the same way, Schwab’s robo service, Intelligent Portfolios, only accepts cash deposits. These limits matter if either account involved is a robo account.
Step 1: Once you know what you’re moving and where it’s going,
you need to set up the receiving account. Opening a new Schwab account is quick and can be done on
the broker’s website or through the mobile app. On the website, look for the orange button to start, or on the app, open the menu in the upper-left corner and select the option to open a new account. You may also use an existing account if it meets these two conditions:
(1) The account types must be the same (such as custodial, joint, or IRA).
(2) The account must be in the same name.
If either requirement is not met, you will need to open a new account. In some situations, it may be possible to update the account type or name.
Step 2: While your Schwab account is being set up, go to Fidelity and prepare your account for transfer. If your account is automated, you must sell all holdings and move everything into cash. With a self-directed account, selling is not required, but you may still need to take care of certain items.
For instance, some over-the-counter (OTC) securities may not be eligible to move to Schwab. Even though Schwab allows OTC trading, certain symbols might not transfer. Options that expire in less than a week and all cryptocurrency holdings cannot be moved using the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS), which is the system used for this process.
If an asset cannot be transferred, you have several choices:
(1) Sell it and turn it into cash.
(2) Transfer it into another Fidelity account.
(3) Exclude it and complete a partial transfer.
Any crypto assets held at Fidelity are kept in a separate account. Simply leave that account out of the transfer request.
Fidelity supports trading in international stocks, and these can be sent through ACATS. However, Schwab may not offer trading on every exchange or accept every foreign security that Fidelity does. For example, Schwab only allows selling of Greek and Polish stocks. It’s best to confirm with Schwab before transferring less common foreign investments.
Fidelity Wealth Management accounts can be transferred, but again, some investments available through Fidelity’s advisory services may not be supported at Schwab.
Step 3: At this point, your Schwab account should be open and ready, but it may still need setup. For example, if your Fidelity account uses margin or holds options, those features must also be approved at Schwab. Be sure you are approved for the proper options level; an account with only Level I approval cannot accept transfers that include advanced strategies like iron butterflies.
Step 4: Next, you’ll submit the official transfer request. As noted earlier, this is done through the ACATS system, which works entirely online. You will start the request with Schwab, since it is the firm receiving the account. On Schwab’s website, go to the Move Money section and select the Transfer Account option to find the form.
On the first page, choose the firm you are transferring from. Schwab includes Fidelity in its list, so just select Fidelity to continue.
On the following page, enter the account type (it must match exactly) and your Fidelity account number. After that, choose whether the transfer will be full or partial. With a partial transfer, the Fidelity account remains open and you can select specific investments to move, along with part of the cash if you want. Up to 70 positions can be moved in one partial request. A full transfer moves all assets and closes the account.
Finish the remaining steps by entering all required details. Review everything on the final screen, and if it’s correct, submit the ACATS request. Once Schwab gets the request, it will contact Fidelity and both firms will complete the process.
Step 5: Finally, track the progress of your transfer. On Schwab’s website under the Move Money tab, select the ‘Recent Transfer Activity’ link. Schwab keeps transfer status updates there for up to three months. If anything seems incorrect or delayed, contact Schwab for help.
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Updated on 1/24/2026.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
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