Keeping track of your ACATS transfer is straightforward through our Client Portal. We make it easy to monitor progress at every stage of the process.
How to Check Your ACATS Transfer Status
Follow these steps to view your transfer status:
- Log in to Client Portal
- Select Transfer & Pay, then choose Transaction Status & History
- Click on your pending transfer request (Note: the default search range starts 10 days in the past. Update the start date if needed.)
- Review the Status column for your current transfer state
Understanding Your Transfer Status
As your ACATS transfer progresses, you'll see it move through several distinct stages:
| Status | What it Means | What You Should DO |
| Transfer Request Submitted | Your request is being reviewed. | No action needed at this time. |
| Transfer Request Confirmed | Your request has been confirmed. | No action needed at this time. |
| Modify Account Number (Note: shows only if applicable) | The format of the Account Number you provided does not match your broker's requirement. | Action Required Validate your account number with your broker before proceeding. Click "Modify" to correct your account number, or select "Get Help" on the bottom of this page if you have confirmed your entry is correct and need further assistance. |
| Transfer Request Submitted to Current Financial Institution | Your request has been submitted to your current broker. | No action needed at this time. |
| Awaiting Receipt of Securities | Awaiting on the receipt of securities. | No action needed; allow several business days for completion. |
| Transfer Complete | All eligible assets have been received and applied to your account. | N/A |
Why is my transfer status showing 'Modify Account Number,' and how do I resolve it?
- Certain brokers require the account number to be entered in a specific format. Otherwise, the transfer will be rejected. If the system detects that the account number you entered does not match your broker's required format, it will display an on-screen warning prompting you to modify it. If you proceed without making the correction, the transfer will be confirmed but not submitted to the broker. You will later receive a notification requesting that you modify the account number before the transfer can proceed. You will need to either modify the account number in Transaction History or contact Customer Service if you believe the account number is correct, in order to further discuss resolution.
Additional Information
Key Things to Know
Timing:
- You will receive a notification in your Message Center once funds or positions are received. Check status of your transfer anytime under Transfer & Pay then Transaction Status & History in Client Portal.
- Under normal circumstances, an ACATS transfer should take between three and eight business days. In certain circumstances, such as an attempt to transfer acceptable, no-load mutual fund shares or non-US assets, this process could take longer.
- Posting vs. Settlement: When your transfer is posted, your positions are visible and available to sell. Settlement, which finalizes the transfer between institutions, may follow over the next 1–2 business days depending on asset type. Full trading capabilities are available on settled assets.
Fees:
- IBKR does not charge a fee. However, your current broker may apply a fee to the outgoing transfer, which will be included on the transfer to your IBKR account.
Withdrawal Hold:
- An ACATS transfer may be unavailable for withdrawal or transfer for up to 30 days after arrival at IBKR.
Transfer Restriction/Limitation:
- Options are not transferred during expiration week. Long and Short (Short Against the Box) of the same position will be netted upon receipt.
- Margin loans can only transfer, if the account remains margin-compliant post transfer.
- Ineligible assets (crypto, futures, fractional shares, and securities not supported at IBKR) will not transfer.
- We only accept blocks of Micro-cap stocks from eligible clients. Micro-cap stocks may be temporarily restricted from being sold during due diligence review. You will remain free to transfer out of IBKR to another broker during review. For more information click here.
Transfer Lock:
- Some financial institutions offer a "transfer lock" feature that protects against unauthorized transfers out of your account. If this feature is enabled on your account at the other financial institution when you submit your request, the inbound transfer may be rejected.
Residual Balances:
- Full account transfers may include some balances (like dividends, interest, or pending corporate actions) that arrive later and post separately.
Cost Basis:
- Cost basis data is sent by your prior broker within 7–15 days; until then, IBKR uses the closing price on the posting date as a placeholder.
If Your Transfer Seems Delayed
- If several business days have passed without any status update, we recommend reaching out directly to your delivering broker for an update on their end. Additionally, it is important to ensure the account number provided on your request is correct and matches your broker's participant number as well as account type and title matches. If it does not match what your contra broker has on file, your request may be rejected or delayed pending correction.
Additional Information