Deleting your Robinhood account means closing it permanently and removing your access to the platform

Robinhood does not use the word "delete," but you can close your account through the app or website. Once closed, you lose access to your holdings, trading history, and account features. Before you close, you need to sell or transfer out any stocks, options, or cryptocurrency you own — Robinhood will not let you close an account with open positions or unsettled cash.

The process takes a few minutes to start, but the full closure can take several business days. If you have a margin account (one where Robinhood lent you money to trade), you must pay back any balance owed before closing.

Key Takeaways

  • You must sell all stocks, options, and cryptocurrency and withdraw or transfer any cash before Robinhood will close your account.
  • If you have a margin account with a negative balance, you must deposit money to pay it back before closing.
  • The closure request takes a few minutes to submit, but the account may take several business days to fully close.
  • Once closed, you cannot reopen the same account — you would have to create a new one if you return to Robinhood later.

Sell or transfer everything before you start

Robinhood will reject a closure request if you have any open positions. This means any stocks, options contracts, or cryptocurrency still in your account. You have two choices: sell everything at market price, or transfer holdings to another brokerage.

Selling is faster. Open the Robinhood app or website, find each position, and tap or click "Sell." Confirm the order. Once the trade settles (usually one to two business days), the cash sits in your account ready to withdraw.

Transferring takes longer but keeps your positions open at another broker. You would initiate an outgoing transfer from Robinhood, which sends your holdings to the receiving brokerage. This process typically takes five to seven business days. The receiving broker must be a registered U.S. brokerage — you cannot transfer to a foreign platform or a non-brokerage account.

Withdraw or transfer your cash

After selling, you will have cash in your Robinhood account. You can withdraw it to your linked bank account or leave it there temporarily while you close. To withdraw, go to the Account tab, select "Transfers," and choose "Withdraw." Enter the amount and confirm. Withdrawals to a linked bank account usually arrive within one to three business days.

If you have unsettled cash (money from a recent sale that has not yet cleared), Robinhood may not let you withdraw it when ready. Wait for the settlement period to complete, then try again.

Pay back any margin balance

If your account is a margin account and you owe Robinhood money, you must deposit funds to cover the debt before closing. A margin balance appears as a negative number in your account. To check, open the Account tab and look at your buying power or cash balance. If it shows a negative amount, you owe money.

Deposit the amount owed through the "Add Funds" option in the Account tab. Once the deposit clears and your balance is zero or positive, you can proceed with closing.

Submit the account closure request

Once all positions are sold, cash is withdrawn, and any margin debt is paid, you are ready to close. In the app, go to Account, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Account Statements" or "Settings." Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Deactivate Account." On the website, go to Settings, then Account, and find the closure option there.

Robinhood will ask you to confirm that you understand the account cannot be reopened and that you have sold all positions. Read the confirmation carefully, then submit. You will receive an email confirming the request.

What happens after you submit the request

Robinhood processes closures during business hours. Your account will be deactivated within a few business days, though the exact timing varies. You will lose access to the app and website when ready after submission, but your data remains on Robinhood's servers for the time required by law (usually seven years for tax and regulatory purposes).

If you change your mind within a short window, contact Robinhood support through the app or website to ask if the closure can be reversed. Once fully processed, reversal is not possible — you would have to create a brand new account if you want to use Robinhood again.

If you cannot close your account

The most common reason closure fails is unsold positions or unsettled cash. Check your account for any holdings you may have forgotten about, including fractional shares or dividend reinvestment positions. If you see a message that says you have open orders, cancel them first.

If you have a pending transfer to another brokerage, wait for it to complete before trying to close. If you have a margin balance, make sure your deposit has cleared — sometimes a deposit takes longer than expected to post.

If you have tried all of these steps and closure still fails, contact Robinhood support. Explain what you have already done, and they can tell you what is blocking the closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen my Robinhood account after closing it?

No. Once closed, that account cannot be reopened. If you return to Robinhood later, you would create a new account from scratch. Your old account data stays on file for regulatory reasons, but you cannot access it or reactivate it.

What happens to my tax documents after I close?

Robinhood keeps your tax records (1099 forms, trade confirmations) available for read for a period of time after closure. read any documents you need before closing, or contact support afterward to request them. You will need these for your tax return if you had gains or losses.

Do I lose my trading history when I close?

Your trading history is archived by Robinhood and not visible to you after closure, but the company retains it for regulatory compliance. If you need a record of your trades for taxes or personal records, read your statements before closing.

What if I have a pending deposit when I try to close?

Wait for the deposit to clear and post to your account. Once it arrives, you can withdraw it or use it to pay a margin balance. Robinhood will not close an account with a pending deposit in process.

Can I transfer my stocks to a non-U.S. brokerage?

No. Robinhood only transfers to registered U.S. brokerages. If you want to move holdings to a foreign platform, you must sell them at Robinhood and then buy them again at the other broker.