How Do I ACAT Transfer My Portfolio To Another Broker?

By Stash Team
Last updated: June 10, 2026

An ACAT transfer is how you move eligible investments from one brokerage firm to another without selling everything first. If you’re transferring your Stash portfolio to another broker, the key thing to know is simple: the receiving broker starts the transfer, not Stash.

Stash uses Apex Clearing Corporation as custodian for brokerage accounts. That means your new broker may ask for Apex’s transfer details when you request the move.

What is an ACAT transfer?

ACAT stands for Automated Customer Account Transfer. The industry system is technically called ACATS, or the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service. It lets brokers transfer eligible assets between firms.

A plain-English way to think about it: ACAT is like moving your investment “box” from one firm’s shelf to another firm’s shelf. The transferable full shares can move in the box. Fractional shares usually cannot, so they are sold and the cash is moved instead.

There are two common types of ACAT transfers:

• Full ACAT transfer: Moves all eligible full shares and cash in the account.

• Partial ACAT transfer: Moves only the securities and/or cash you request, while the rest stays where it is.

ACAT transfers are different from selling your investments and withdrawing cash. With an ACAT, eligible full shares move “in kind,” meaning the shares themselves transfer to the new broker.

How to ACAT transfer your Stash portfolio to another broker

To start the ACAT process, contact the broker that will receive your portfolio. Stash cannot initiate an outgoing ACAT transfer for you.

Here’s the usual process:

1. Open or choose your account at the receiving broker. The account type and registration usually need to match. For example, an individual taxable brokerage account generally transfers to an individual taxable brokerage account. An IRA generally transfers to the same type of IRA.

2. Request an account transfer with the receiving broker. They may call it an ACAT, ACATS, brokerage transfer, account transfer, or transfer of assets.

3. Provide Stash/Apex transfer details. Stash uses Apex Clearing Corporation as custodian. The DTC number for Apex Clearing is 0158.

4. The receiving broker sends the transfer request to Apex. Apex then notifies Stash that a transfer request has been submitted.

5. Stash and Apex review the request. If something needs to be fixed, the transfer may be delayed or rejected.

6. Eligible assets transfer. Full shares and eligible cash move to the receiving broker. Fractional shares are sold and the proceeds are transferred as cash.

Stash ACAT transfer details you may need

Your receiving broker may ask for some or all of the following:

• Current broker/custodian: Apex Clearing Corporation

• DTC number: 0158

• Account number: Use the brokerage account number tied to the Stash account you want to transfer

• Transfer type: Full or partial ACAT transfer

• Account type: Taxable brokerage account, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or other applicable account type

If the receiving broker’s form does not list Stash, look for Apex Clearing Corporation. That is the custodian used for Stash brokerage accounts.

What transfers and what does not

ACAT transfers can move eligible full shares and eligible cash. Not everything in an account can transfer through ACAT.

Usually transferable

• Full shares of eligible stocks

• Full shares of eligible ETFs

• Eligible cash in the brokerage account

Usually not transferable through ACAT

• Fractional shares

• Securities currently out on loan

• Delisted or otherwise non-transferable securities

• Certain restricted, unsupported, or ineligible assets

Fractional shares are important. If you own 3.75 shares of a stock, the 3 full shares may transfer. The 0.75 fractional share is sold, and the cash proceeds are sent to the receiving broker.

Stash ACAT transfer fee

ACAT transfers cost $100 per account to process.

The fee is taken from your cash balance. If there is not enough cash in the account, the fee may be taken from proceeds generated by selling fractional shares.

If there is not $100 available in the account, the ACAT transfer will be canceled.

This fee is per account. If you transfer more than one account, each account may have its own fee. The receiving broker may also have its own policies, so check with them before submitting the request.

How long does an ACAT transfer take?

An ACAT transfer from Stash can take up to 21 days to complete.

Some brokerage transfers finish faster, but delays can happen when:

• Account names do not match

• Account types do not match

• The account number is incorrect

• There is not enough cash to cover the transfer fee

• The account has securities lending turned on

• Assets are delisted, restricted, or otherwise not transferable

• Recent trades have not settled

• The receiving broker needs more information

During the transfer, avoid making new trades in the account being transferred unless the receiving broker tells you otherwise. New activity can slow things down.

Securities lending and ACAT transfers

Securities currently out on loan cannot be transferred to a new broker.

If the account you want to transfer is enrolled in Securities Lending, you must opt out first. After opting out, wait 2 to 3 business days so the change can be processed. Then you can initiate a new transfer request with the receiving broker.

Learn how to opt out of Securities Lending here

Delisted stocks and account closure

If your portfolio includes a stock that has been delisted and no longer trades, those shares may need to be removed before your account can be closed.

In these cases, Stash may begin a “Penny for the lot” exchange, where you are paid $0.01 for the delisted shares. Stash cannot finalize an account closure if the portfolio still holds assets. Stash support may contact you if this applies to your account.

Is an ACAT transfer taxable?

Moving full shares in kind through an ACAT is generally not treated as a taxable sale in a taxable brokerage account. You still own the shares, just at a different broker.

But fractional shares are different. Because fractional shares are sold before the cash transfers, that sale can create a taxable gain or loss in a taxable brokerage account.

For IRAs, a properly completed trustee-to-trustee transfer is generally not treated as a taxable distribution. But account type matters, and mistakes can be costly. If you have tax questions, consider speaking with a qualified tax professional.

Stash’s view: moving brokers should not require you to blow up a long-term investing plan. If you choose to transfer, understand the fees, taxes, and timing before you click submit. Long-term investing works best when the mechanics do not distract you from the bigger goal: build your portfolio, diversify, and invest consistently.

Before you submit an ACAT request

Use this quick checklist:

• Confirm the receiving account is open and ready

• Confirm the account name and account type match

• Have your Stash/Apex account number ready

• Give the receiving broker Apex’s DTC number: 0158

• Decide whether you want a full or partial transfer

• Make sure the account has at least $100 available for the transfer fee

• Opt out of Securities Lending if enrolled, then wait 2 to 3 business days

• Download any statements or tax documents you want for your records

• Understand that fractional shares will be sold and transferred as cash