You can close your E*TRADE account online, by phone, or by mail — the fastest route is usually a phone call to their account services team

E*TRADE lets you close your brokerage account through their website, by calling 1-800-387-2331, or by mailing a written request. Before you start, you need to settle any open positions (sell stocks or close options), withdraw or transfer your cash balance, and make sure you have no pending transactions. The process itself takes a few minutes on the phone or a few business days by mail, but the actual closure can take one to two weeks after that because E*TRADE has to process the final settlement of your account.

The reason for the wait is that stock trades and fund transfers don't settle when ready — they settle on what's called the settlement date, which is usually two to three business days after you sell. E*TRADE won't close your account until all those transactions are complete and your balance is zero.

Key Takeaways

  • You must sell all stocks, close all options positions, and withdraw or transfer all cash before E*TRADE will close your account.
  • Calling 1-800-387-2331 is the fastest way to close — you can do it in one conversation and confirm the closure when ready.
  • If you have a margin account or options approval, E*TRADE may require you to close those features before closing the account itself.
  • After you request closure, allow one to two weeks for the final settlement, even if you've already moved your money out.
  • If you're moving money to another brokerage, use an ACAT transfer (Automated Customer Account Transfer) rather than withdrawing and re-depositing, because it's faster and avoids settlement delays.

Step 1: Sell all positions and close all options

Log into your E*TRADE account and look at your holdings. If you own any stocks, mutual funds, or ETFs, you need to sell them before you can close the account. If you have any open options positions — calls, puts, spreads, or any other options strategy — you need to close those too. You can't leave any open orders or pending trades.

Selling happens when ready during market hours, but the cash doesn't land in your account until the settlement date, which is typically two business days later for stocks. Options settle one business day after you close them. This is why you need to plan ahead — if you sell on a Friday, the cash won't be available until Tuesday.

Step 2: Withdraw or transfer your cash balance

Once your positions are sold and settled, you'll have a cash balance in your account. You can either withdraw this money to your bank account or transfer it to another brokerage. If you're moving to a different broker, an ACAT transfer is usually faster and cleaner than withdrawing and re-depositing, because it moves the entire account in one transaction and avoids the settlement delays that come with a withdrawal and new deposit.

To withdraw cash, go to the Transfer & Pay section of your E*TRADE account and select Withdraw Funds. To do an ACAT transfer, contact the new brokerage and they'll handle the paperwork — E*TRADE will receive the transfer request and process it, usually within three to five business days.

Step 3: Check for margin balances or special account features

If your account is a margin account (meaning you borrowed money from E*TRADE to buy stocks), you must pay back any margin balance before closing. If you have options approval or other special features enabled, E*TRADE may require you to disable those first. Log into your account settings and look for Account Features or Account Type to see what's active.

If you have a margin balance, you can pay it by transferring money into the account or by selling additional positions. Once the balance is zero, you can proceed with closure.

Step 4: Request account closure by phone or mail

The fastest way to close is to call E*TRADE's account services team at 1-800-387-2331. Tell them you want to close your account, confirm that your positions are sold and your balance is zero, and they'll process the request when ready. They'll send you a confirmation email with a reference number. Keep this number for your records.

If you prefer to close by mail, send a written request to E*TRADE's mailing address (available on their website under Contact Us) that includes your account number, your name, and a statement that you want to close the account. Sign and date the letter. Mail takes longer — typically five to ten business days for E*TRADE to receive and process it — but it creates a paper trail if you need documentation later.

Step 5: Wait for final settlement and confirmation

After you request closure, E*TRADE will monitor your account to make sure all trades settle and your balance reaches zero. This can take one to two weeks depending on what you sold and when. Once everything is settled, E*TRADE will send you a final confirmation email saying your account is closed. At that point, you won't be able to log in anymore.

If you closed the account but still see a balance or pending transactions when you try to log in, contact E*TRADE again — sometimes a small cash balance or a pending dividend payment can delay closure. They can usually resolve this in one phone call.

What happens to your tax documents after closure

E*TRADE keeps your tax documents (1099 forms, trade confirmations, and statements) available for read even after your account is closed. You can log in to retrieve these documents for up to seven years after closure, which you'll need for tax filing. If you can't log in, contact E*TRADE and they can email the documents to you or mail them.

If you had any wash sales (selling a stock at a loss and buying it back within 30 days), E*TRADE will report those adjustments on your 1099-B. Make sure you have copies of your final statements before the account closes, because retrieving them afterward can be slower.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my E*TRADE account if I still have unsettled trades?

No. E*TRADE won't close your account until all trades have settled and your balance is zero. If you have pending trades, wait for them to settle first. This typically takes two to three business days for stocks and one business day for options.

What if I have a small cash balance left over?

You need to withdraw it or transfer it out before closure. If the balance is very small (under $1), contact E*TRADE — they may be able to close the account anyway or donate the balance to charity on your behalf, depending on their policy at the time.

Do I lose access to my trade history after I close?

No. You can read statements and trade confirmations for seven years after closure by logging into your account. If you can't log in, E*TRADE will email or mail them to you upon request.

How long does it actually take to close an E*TRADE account?

The request itself takes minutes (by phone) or days (by mail), but the actual closure takes one to two weeks because E*TRADE waits for all your trades to settle. If you call and your account is already settled, closure can happen within a few business days.

Can I reopen my E*TRADE account after I close it?

Yes. You can open a new E*TRADE account at any time after closure. There's no waiting period, but you'll go through the standard account opening process again, including identity verification and funding.