Open an E*TRADE Account in 2026

How to Open an E*TRADE Account

Highlights:

An account at E*TRADE can often be opened in about 10 minutes.
E*TRADE also offers a separate international brokerage application for non-U.S. citizens.
You can begin an application on the company’s website, and some account types can also be opened in its mobile apps.

Before trying to open an account with E*TRADE, it’s a good idea to go through our instruction guide:

Requirements

Not everyone can open every type of account at E*TRADE. The brokerage firm lists these general requirements:

Be a legal adult (that’s 18).
For the standard domestic application, have a valid address in the United States of America; E*TRADE defines the USA as Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia, and the 50 states.
Have a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

E*TRADE does not require U.S. citizenship. Besides its standard domestic application, the broker also provides an International Complete Investment Account Application for non-U.S. citizens who want a brokerage account.

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How to Open an E*TRADE Brokerage Account

Opening an E*TRADE account is simple with the broker’s easy-to-use software. Open your browser and head to this E*TRADE page. You will see a purple button to open an account; click on it to begin the online application. You’ll also see a promotion for free money when you open and fund a new brokerage account. The bonus can be as high as $1,500, so review the offer details.

At the beginning of the application, you’ll need to indicate whether the account is individual, joint, or custodial. After that, you’ll enter information such as your U.S. address and date of birth.

For other accounts such as IRA or business accounts, scroll to the bottom of any E*TRADE page and click the purple link to open an account. You’ll see the full list of available investment accounts. Many use online applications, while some have separate forms or extra application materials.

E*TRADE’s two mobile apps (regular and Power) can also be used to start an application. The standard E*TRADE app is built more for everyday investors, while Power E*TRADE is geared more toward trading tools. On either app, look for the “Open an Account” link on the main screen.

E*TRADE open account

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How to Open a Futures Brokerage Account

Once you already have a securities account, you can apply for futures trading if you want to trade futures contracts. E*TRADE does not allow you to open a futures account by itself. Instead, you need a margin-enabled brokerage account or eligible IRA, and then you can apply for futures trading through the Futures Account Application in My Profile.

How to Open an E*TRADE Robo Account

Opening an automated account is similar to opening a securities account. On the website or regular app, scroll to the list of accounts and select Managed Portfolios. Then choose Core Portfolios, which is E*TRADE’s robo account.

How to Open a Morgan Stanley Account

For a full-service brokerage or advisory account with a human financial advisor, Morgan Stanley is the route to take. You can use Morgan Stanley’s advisor search tools or its branch network to connect with an advisor.

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How to Open an E*TRADE Bank Account

Through Morgan Stanley Private Bank, E*TRADE offers checking and savings accounts, plus CDs. The process is similar to opening a robo account. Select the Bank tab instead of Managed Portfolios. Under the Bank tab, there are links to open deposit accounts, all of which are FDIC-insured. These bank accounts integrate with investing accounts on the E*TRADE site and apps for easy transfers.

Minimums and Fees

Brokerage accounts at E*TRADE, whether taxable or tax-sheltered, have no recurring fees. Many trades are commission-free. The robo account has a 0.30% annual fee with a $500 minimum. Morgan Stanley accounts have their own pricing schedule.

Updated on 4/8/2026.

About the Author

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.