How to Schedule and Prepare for a Fidelity Appointment

What a Fidelity appointment covers and who should book one

A Fidelity appointment is a one-on-one meeting with a financial representative at a Fidelity branch or over the phone to discuss your investments, retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, or overall financial plan. You might book one to open a new account, review your portfolio, discuss retirement strategy, transfer money from another institution, or get help understanding your options for investing.

Fidelity offers appointments both in person at their retail locations and by phone or video. The type of appointment you need depends on what you want to accomplish — some tasks like opening an account or reviewing holdings work equally well over the phone, while others like signing documents may require an in-person visit to a branch.

You do not need an existing Fidelity account to book an appointment. New customers often schedule one to learn about account types and get your free guide, while existing customers use appointments to make changes, ask questions, or plan for major financial moves.

Key Takeaways

• Book a Fidelity appointment through their website, by calling 1-800-343-3548, or by walking into a local branch during business hours.
• Phone and video appointments typically take 30 to 60 minutes and can be scheduled within a few days; in-person appointments may require a longer wait depending on branch availability.
• Bring your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, and information about any accounts you want to transfer or link to Fidelity.
• If you are opening an account, have your employer information and banking details ready so the representative can set up direct deposit or fund transfers.
• Fidelity representatives cannot predict investment performance or may provide returns, but they can explain account types, fees, and how different investments work.

How to schedule an appointment at Fidelity

The fastest way to book is through Fidelity's website at fidelity.com. Look for the "Schedule an Appointment" or "Contact Us" link, select your location or choose a phone appointment, and pick an available time slot. Most branches show availability 7 to 14 days out, though some locations fill up faster during market volatility or tax season.

If you prefer to call, dial 1-800-343-3548 and tell the representative what you need. They will ask for your zip code or the branch you prefer and offer you available times. Phone appointments are usually faster to schedule than in-person ones because Fidelity has more phone capacity.

You can also walk into any Fidelity branch without an appointment, but you may wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the branch is that day. If you know what you need in advance, scheduling ahead saves time.

What to bring and how to prepare

For any Fidelity appointment, bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and your Social Security number. The representative will need these to verify your identity and set up any new accounts.

If you are opening an account, have your employer name and address ready, along with your current banking information (routing number and account number if you want to link a bank account for transfers). If you are transferring money from another brokerage or bank, gather the account number and the name of the institution.

If you are reviewing an existing Fidelity account, you do not need to bring anything — the representative can pull up your account by your Social Security number or account number. If you want to discuss a specific investment or strategy, jotting down your questions beforehand helps you use the time efficiently.

For retirement planning appointments, bring recent pay stubs or tax returns if you want the representative to see your income, and any documents about pensions or other retirement accounts you have elsewhere.

What happens during the appointment

The representative will start by confirming your identity and asking what brings you in. If you are opening an account, they will explain the different account types Fidelity offers — individual brokerage, IRA, 401(k) rollover, and so on — and help you choose based on your goals.

They will then walk through the account setup process, which involves filling out forms with your personal information, employment details, and funding method. If you are funding the account from a bank, they may initiate a transfer right there, or they may give you instructions to do it yourself online later.

If you are reviewing an existing account or discussing strategy, the representative will show you your holdings, explain fees, and answer questions about performance or changes you are considering. They cannot tell you which specific stocks or funds to buy, but they can explain how different investment types work and what the risks and costs are.

Most appointments last 30 to 60 minutes. If your situation is complex or you have many questions, it may run longer — the representative will let you know if they need to schedule a follow-up.

Phone and video appointments versus in-person visits

Phone appointments work well for account reviews, questions about fees or holdings, and discussing strategy. You will call a dedicated number at your scheduled time, and the representative can pull up your account and walk you through options while you are on the call. These appointments are usually easier to schedule quickly and do not require travel.

Video appointments offer a middle ground — you can see the representative and they can show you screens or documents, but you stay home. Fidelity uses a secure video link that you access through their website or app at your appointment time.

In-person appointments are necessary if you need to sign documents in front of a witness, if you want to deposit a check or cash, or if you prefer face-to-face conversation for complex planning. Branches are typically open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some locations open Saturday mornings.

Account types you might discuss in an appointment

A brokerage account is a standard investment account with no contribution limits or withdrawal restrictions. You can buy and sell stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) whenever you want. This is the most flexible account type but does not offer tax advantages.

An IRA (Individual Retirement Account) comes in two main types: Traditional and Roth. A Traditional IRA may offer a tax deduction on contributions, but you pay taxes when you withdraw in retirement. A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax money, but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Both have annual contribution limits and rules about when you can withdraw without penalty.

A 401(k) rollover lets you move money from an old employer's 401(k) into a Fidelity IRA when you leave a job. This keeps your retirement savings in one place and often gives you more investment choices than the old plan offered.

A Roth conversion is when you move money from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth IRA. You pay taxes on the amount you convert, but future growth is tax-free. The representative can explain whether this makes sense for your situation.

Fees and what they cover

Fidelity does not charge a fee to open an account or to meet with a representative. You do not pay for the appointment itself.

You will pay fees on the investments you hold — mutual funds and ETFs have expense ratios (annual costs expressed as a percentage of your balance), and some funds charge more than others. Individual stocks have no fund fee, but you may pay a commission if you trade them (though Fidelity offers commission-free stock trading for most customers).

If you use Fidelity's advisory services for ongoing portfolio management, there is a separate fee for that, usually a percentage of assets under management. The representative will explain these fees clearly during your appointment.

What to do if you cannot make your appointment

If you need to reschedule, cancel through the same website where you booked, or call 1-800-343-3548. Most cancellations can be made up to 24 hours before your appointment time without penalty. If you miss an appointment without canceling, Fidelity may hold your appointment slot and you may have to wait longer to reschedule.

If an emergency comes up, call the branch or the main number as soon as you can. Fidelity is usually flexible about rescheduling, especially if you give notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment to open a Fidelity account?

No. You can open most Fidelity accounts online without speaking to anyone. An appointment is helpful if you have questions about which account type to choose, want to discuss strategy before you start, or prefer to have someone walk you through the process step by step.

Can I transfer money from another bank or brokerage during the appointment?

Yes. If you are transferring from another brokerage, the representative can initiate an electronic transfer request. If you are funding from a bank account, they can set up a direct transfer or give you instructions to do it online. Some transfers take a few business days to complete.

What if I want to move my 401(k) from my old job to Fidelity?

A Fidelity representative can walk you through a 401(k) rollover during an appointment. You will need your old plan's account number and contact information. The representative will help you decide between a direct rollover (the money goes straight from your old plan to Fidelity) or an indirect rollover (you receive a check and deposit it yourself within 60 days).

Will the representative tell me which investments to buy?

No. Fidelity representatives can explain how different investments work, what the risks and costs are, and how they fit into different strategies, but they cannot recommend specific stocks or funds. If you want personalized investment advice, you can pay for Fidelity's advisory services, which pairs you with an advisor who can make recommendations.

How long does it take to open an account at a Fidelity appointment?

Most account openings take 30 to 45 minutes. If you are transferring money from another institution, the account opens immediately, but the transfer itself takes a few business days. If you are funding from a bank account you are setting up for the first time, that link may take one to two business days to verify.