Age Requirements for Opening a Robinhood Account

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 federal requirement under securities law — anyone who buys or sells stocks, options, or cryptocurrencies must be a legal adult. You will need to provide your date of birth when you sign up, and Robinhood verifies it against your Social Security number and identity documents.

If you are under 18, you cannot open an account in your own name. Some brokerages offer custodial accounts for minors, but Robinhood does not. Your only option is to have a parent or guardian open a custodial brokerage account at a different firm and manage investments on your behalf until you turn 18.

Key Takeaways

• You must be 18 years old to open a Robinhood account in your own name, and Robinhood will verify your age using your Social Security number.
• Robinhood does not offer custodial accounts for minors, so younger investors cannot trade through the platform even with parental permission.
• If you are under 18 and want to invest, your parent or guardian can open a custodial account at a different brokerage that supports them.
• Once you turn 18, you can open a Robinhood account immediately without waiting for any additional approval period.
• You will need a valid government-issued photo ID and a bank account in your name to complete the sign-up process.

What happens if you try to open an account under 18

Robinhood's sign-up process will reject your application if your date of birth shows you are under 18. The system checks this automatically — you cannot proceed past the identity verification step. The platform will not allow you to create an account, fund it, or place any trades.

If you provide false information about your age to get around this restriction, Robinhood can close your account and may report the fraud to relevant authorities. The company takes age verification seriously because it is required by law, not a company policy choice. Attempting to circumvent age restrictions can also result in being blocked from opening accounts at other brokerages in the future.

Opening an account as soon as you turn 18

You can open a Robinhood account on the day you turn 18. There is no waiting period after your birthday. You will need to provide your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and a valid form of identification (driver's license or passport). Robinhood typically verifies this information within minutes to a few hours.

You will also need to link a bank account to fund your Robinhood account. This can be a checking or savings account in your name, or in some cases a joint account with a parent. Transfers from your bank to Robinhood usually take one to three business days. Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can begin trading immediately.

Custodial accounts as an alternative for minors

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

Custodial accounts work differently from regular accounts. The adult makes all trading decisions, and the investments are legally yours. When you turn 18 or 21, the account transfers to your full control. This approach lets younger people learn about investing and build wealth before they can trade independently. The adult custodian can also teach you about market basics and investment strategy while maintaining control over the account.

Age verification and identity documents

Robinhood uses a third-party identity verification service to confirm your age and identity. You will be asked to provide your Social Security number and upload a photo of your ID. The system compares this information against databases to prevent fraud and meet federal requirements.

If your identity cannot be verified automatically, Robinhood may ask you to submit additional documents or information. This process usually takes a few business days. Once verified, you can proceed with funding and trading. Keep your ID photo clear and well-lit to avoid delays in the verification process.

Why Robinhood has an age requirement

The 18-year-old minimum is not specific to Robinhood — it applies to all brokerages and investment platforms in the United States. The requirement comes from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which oversee stock and options trading. These agencies require that anyone entering into a securities contract be a legal adult capable of signing binding agreements.

This rule protects minors from making irreversible financial decisions without the legal capacity to do so. It also protects brokerages from liability if a minor loses money or disputes a trade later. The age requirement is enforced consistently across all platforms, so you will encounter it at any brokerage you try to join before turning 18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my parent open a Robinhood account for me if I am under 18?

No. Your parent cannot open a Robinhood account in your name or on your behalf. Robinhood does not support custodial accounts. Your parent would need to open a custodial account at a different brokerage if they want to invest money for you before you turn 18.

What if I turn 18 but do not have a driver's license or passport?

You will need a valid government-issued photo ID to open a Robinhood account. A driver's license or passport are the most common forms. If you do not have either, you can obtain a state ID card from your local DMV, which serves the same purpose for identity verification.

Can I use my parents' bank account to fund my Robinhood account?

Robinhood typically requires the bank account to be in your name or a joint account with your parent listed as a co-owner. You cannot use your parent's account alone. If the account is joint, your parent's name must appear on the account at your bank.

Do I need parental permission to open a Robinhood account at 18?

No. Once you are 18, you are a legal adult and do not need parental permission to open any financial account, including Robinhood. You can open and manage the account entirely on your own.

What happens to my custodial account when I turn 18?

The account automatically transfers to your full control on your 18th birthday (or 21st, depending on your state and the brokerage). You will receive notice from the custodian and can then make all trading decisions yourself. The investments remain in the account — nothing is liquidated or moved unless you choose to do so.