Transferring Accounts between Wealthfront and Fidelity
Online transfer tools have made it much simpler to move investment accounts from one firm to another. Here is how transfers work between Fidelity and Wealthfront:
Transfer from Wealthfront to Fidelity
First Step: To bring an investment account into Fidelity, you first need to open a Fidelity account. The account at the prior firm does not move over as a whole; instead, the holdings in that account are transferred into an account at the receiving brokerage.
The Fidelity account can be a self-directed brokerage account or a managed account, such as Fidelity Go. Either way, it should have the same registration, such as joint, IRA, or trust, and the same account owner name as the Wealthfront account. If an existing Fidelity account already meets both requirements, you can use that account for the transfer.
Second Step: The Wealthfront account may need some advance preparation, based on the investments inside it and the type of Fidelity account you want to receive them. If you transfer assets into a Fidelity Go account, transferred securities may be handled differently than they would be in a regular self-directed Fidelity brokerage account. If you move holdings from a Wealthfront Automated Investing Account into a self-directed Fidelity brokerage account, remember that the assets will arrive without ongoing management unless you manage them yourself or choose another service.
If you have a debit balance through Wealthfront’s Portfolio Line of Credit, transfers or withdrawals from the account connected to the loan may be restricted by Wealthfront’s equity requirements. The loan balance may have to be reduced before the transfer can move forward. Contact either company for instructions on how to deal with this situation.
Third Step: Now you can submit the transfer request. The transfer is processed through the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS), an electronic system used for brokerage account transfers. To get started, sign in to Fidelity’s website or mobile app. On the website, go to the Accounts & Trade menu and find the transfer area. Then choose the option to deposit or transfer money and follow the steps to begin an ACATS transfer.
On the transfer form, enter Wealthfront Investment Management as the delivering firm and provide the other required details, including your Wealthfront account number. After the form is complete, send in the transfer request.
Transfer from Fidelity to Wealthfront
Moving investments the other way follows a similar process, although there are several important differences.
First Step: Open a Wealthfront account. You can use an existing account if it has the same ownership name and the same tax registration. The receiving account can be either a Wealthfront Automated Investing Account or a Wealthfront Stock Investing Account.
Second Step: The Wealthfront account may need to be prepared before the transfer. Cash transferred into a Wealthfront investment account linked to an outstanding Portfolio Line of Credit balance may be used to pay down that balance before it is invested.
Third Step: This step may require the most attention. Many investments held at Fidelity may not be accepted by Wealthfront. These holdings may have to be sold, kept at Fidelity in a partial transfer, or moved to a different Fidelity account. Wealthfront supports both full and partial ACATS transfers, depending on the account type and whether the assets are eligible. A full transfer may close the Fidelity account, while a partial transfer keeps the original account open.
Investments that generally cannot be moved from Fidelity into Wealthfront include options and other derivatives, annuities and other insurance products, low-priced stocks that do not trade on an exchange, foreign stocks, private investments, hedge funds, many REITs, and mutual funds for which Wealthfront does not have a selling agreement with the fund issuer. Some mutual funds may transfer to Wealthfront but are sold after they arrive. Fidelity Crypto assets use a separate crypto transfer process, not the ACATS process used for securities.
If you intend to move assets into a Wealthfront Automated Investing Account, some transferred holdings may be sold and reinvested under Wealthfront’s portfolio strategy. If the transfer is coming from a managed account at Fidelity, some assets may need to be sold before the transfer. Wealthfront’s Stock Investing Account generally accepts most U.S. stocks and ETFs, but not every security can be transferred.
Fourth Step: Submit the transfer request through Wealthfront’s mobile app or website. In the app, tap the transfer option and choose the selection for bringing over investments. Select Fidelity as the delivering firm and follow the instructions shown on the screen. You may need to link your Fidelity account to finish the request.
Cost of an ACAT Transfer
Wealthfront does not charge fees for incoming or outgoing ACATS transfers. Fidelity does not charge a fee for outgoing account transfers, although other fees not related to ACATS may still apply.
How Long Does an ACAT Take?
Incoming ACATS transfers to Fidelity often take about 3 to 5 business days once accepted. Wealthfront notes that transfers can take about 5 to 10 business days. Actual timing can differ depending on asset eligibility, account type, and whether any issues come up during processing.
Updated on 9/29/2026.
Chad Morris has been analyzing investment firms for Brokerage-Review.com since 2015. Backed by FINRA Series 65, 66, and SIE credentials, his work reflects a deep knowledge of the retail brokerage industry and digital trading tools.
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