Move assets. Build a stronger portfolio.
Consolidating assets into one account means a clearer view of the full financial picture.
What's an asset transfer?
An asset transfer is the process of moving retirement or nonretirement accounts at another financial institution to a new or existing account at Vanguard without selling your assets. Transfers are not rollovers, which entail moving your assets from an employer-sponsored plan to an individual retirement account (IRA).
Benefits of a Vanguard transfer
Types of accounts you can move to Vanguard
- IRAs
- Nonretirement accounts
- Custodial accounts
IRAs
Move your traditional, Roth, or SEP-IRA. You can continue to give your retirement assets the opportunity to grow in a tax-advantaged account.
Nonretirement accounts
Move your taxable investing account, such as a general investing or trust account, to a Vanguard Brokerage Account. You can explore the wide variety of mutual funds and ETFs we offer.
Custodial accounts
Move your custodial UGMA/UTMA account or minor IRA and simplify how you track investments for the child in your life.
IRAs
Move your traditional, Roth, or SEP-IRA. You can continue to give your retirement assets the opportunity to grow in a tax-advantaged account.
Nonretirement accounts
Move your taxable investing account, such as a general investing or trust account, to a Vanguard Brokerage Account. You can explore the wide variety of mutual funds and ETFs we offer.
Custodial accounts
Move your custodial UGMA/UTMA account or minor IRA and simplify how you track investments for the child in your life.
Looking to move assets between Vanguard accounts?
How to transfer your accounts to Vanguard
Step 1: Choose your external account
You can transfer the identical retirement account types under the same ownership or nonretirement accounts under revised ownership, such as individual to joint.
Step 2: Gather account information
Locate your Vanguard login or start by creating a new account. Once you're logged in, we make it easy to electronically connect with your other firm to start your transfer.
Step 3: Start your transfer
Digital transfers may take as little as 5 to 7 days. You can follow your transfer's progress by logging in to your Vanguard account and checking your status tracker.
How moving investments in kind affects taxes
In-kind asset transfers are when you move eligible investments from one financial institution to Vanguard without selling them and triggering taxes.
You can transfer stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds (except money markets), unit investment trusts, brokerage-held certificates of deposit (CDs), and options in kind.
Other assets—including bank CDs, crypto, limited partner investments, proprietary funds, over-the-counter stocks, pink-sheet securities, annuities, and insurance policies—are ineligible for in-kind transfers.
Ready to start your transfer to Vanguard?
Log in to your existing Vanguard account or open a new account today.
Frequently asked questions
- Most IRAs, including Roth, traditional, and Simplified Employee Pension IRA (SEP-IRA).
- Individual and joint accounts.
- Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act (UGMA/UTMA) accounts.
Any nontransferable funds will remain in their original account.
An asset transfer is when your account moves from one firm to another. If the investments are eligible for an in-kind transfer, they can move without being sold, which can help avoid unnecessary taxes and market timing. Conversely, when you sell investments, your holdings are turned into cash first. That cash is then moved or reinvested elsewhere. Selling can take you out of the market temporarily and, in taxable accounts, may trigger taxes.
An investment can usually transfer in‑kind (meaning it moves over without being sold and triggering taxes) if:
- Vanguard supports that exact investment. Some funds or products are only available at certain firms.
- Your account is registered under the same name at both firms.
- There are no special restrictions. Some investments have trading, redemption, or account restrictions that prevent them from moving as‑is.
- The investment type allows it. Most common stocks and ETFs, in addition to mutual funds, can transfer in kind, while proprietary funds, annuities, or certain employer‑plan holdings often can’t. Certain conversions, like Roth IRAs to traditional IRAs, can’t transfer.
If an investment isn't eligible, it usually needs to be sold and transferred as cash instead. Each holding is checked individually during the transfer process. If the new firm can hold it and there are no restrictions, it can typically move in kind; if not, you'll be told what needs to be sold first.
Settlement time frames vary by transfer method, so your assets may not be immediately visible in your account. They will appear as soon as your transfer has settled. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
If you hold your own security certificates, you can register them in street name with Vanguard by endorsing the certificates. If you need help with endorsing your stock and bond certificates, click here (PDF). Be sure to write your Vanguard Brokerage Account number on the front of the certificates in the upper-right corner.
Send your endorsed certificates by registered or certified mail to:
Vanguard Brokerage Services
5951 Luckett Court, Suite A1
El Paso, TX 79932-1882
If we receive security certificates (from you or a third party) that haven't been endorsed, you can register them in street name by completing an Irrevocable Stock or Bond Power Form (PDF) for each security issuer. You can also call us at 877-662-7447 to request this form.
Important: If the registration on your security certificates doesn't match the registration on your brokerage account, you'll need to provide additional documentation. Certificates that require corporate action processing should be directed to the company's transfer agent prior to transfer to Vanguard. If you need assistance or have questions, please contact Vanguard.
A medallion signature guarantee is a type of legally binding endorsement that ensures that your signature is genuine and that the financial company issuing the guarantee accepts liability for any forgery.
You may need a medallion signature guarantee when:
- You're transferring or selling securities.
- You're transferring a joint account to an individual account.
- Your name on your Vanguard Brokerage Account isn't identical to the name that's registered with the company currently holding your accounts.
A signature guarantee can usually be obtained free of charge from an officer of a bank, a trust company, or a member firm of the U.S. stock exchange. If a financial institution is not a member of a recognized Medallion Signature Guarantee Program, it won't be able to provide medallion signature guarantees.
Note: A notary public can't provide a medallion signature guarantee.
Other companies may charge a transfer fee to move assets to Vanguard. Check with the company currently holding your account to find out if it has any transfer fees or requirements.
1For the ten-year period, -outperformed their peer group averages. Results will vary for other time periods. Only funds with a minimum ten-year history were included in the comparison. (Source: LSEG Lipper)
Note that the competitive performance data shown represent past performance, which is not a guarantee of future results, and that all investments are subject to risks. For the most recent performance, visit our website at www.vanguard.com/performance.
For more information about Vanguard funds and ETFs, visit vanguard.com to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.
You must buy and sell Vanguard ETF Shares through Vanguard Brokerage Services (we offer them commission-free online) or through another broker (who may charge commissions). See the Vanguard Brokerage Services Commission and Fee Schedules on Vanguard.com for limits. Vanguard ETF Shares are not redeemable directly with the issuing Fund other than in very large aggregations worth millions of dollars. ETFs are subject to market volatility. When buying or selling an ETF, you will pay or receive the current market price, which may be more or less than net asset value.
Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company serves as the custodian of Vanguard IRAs.
We recommend that you consult a tax or financial advisor about your individual situation.
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.
Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.
There are important factors to consider when rolling over assets to an IRA. These factors include, but are not limited to, investment options in each type of account, fees and expenses, available services, potential withdrawal penalties, protection from creditors and legal judgments, required minimum distributions, and tax consequences of rolling over employer stock to an IRA.
Vanguard's advice services are provided by Vanguard Advisers, Inc. ("VAI"), a registered investment advisor, or by Vanguard National Trust Company ("VNTC"), a federally chartered, limited-purpose trust company.
The services provided to clients will vary based upon the service selected, including management, fees, eligibility, and access to an advisor. Find VAI's Form CRS and each program's advisory brochure here for an overview.
VAI and VNTC are subsidiaries of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and affiliates of Vanguard Marketing Corporation. Neither VAI, VNTC, nor its affiliates guarantee profits or protection from losses.