Robinhood guide

How to Sign Up for Robinhood

A step-by-step guide to opening a Robinhood account in 2026 — eligibility, what you need, verification and placing your first trade.

Sign-up guideUpdated June 2026

Signing up for Robinhood in brief

Existing Robinhood customers can be trading event contracts in under two minutes with nothing extra to sign up for. New users simply open a standard Robinhood brokerage account, which then doubles as their prediction-markets account, funded from the same balance they use for shares.

Before you start

You must be 18+ and eligible in your US state. The shortcut here is that Robinhood runs inside Robinhood Markets: if you already hold a Robinhood Markets account, you can skip most of the setup and open the prediction-markets section directly.

How to sign up for Robinhood, step by step

Open or log in to Robinhood Markets

Create a Robinhood Markets account, or simply sign in to the one you already use.

Verify your identity

Complete identity verification (KYC) if you have not already — a one-time legal requirement.

Add funds to your balance

Top up using bank, debit & credit (usd); the same balance funds your event-contract trades.

Open prediction markets

Head to the event-contracts section inside the app and place a small first trade.

Next step

Once you are in, the Robinhood deposit guide covers funding in detail.

After you sign up

Fund from the Robinhood Markets balance you already top up for other products, keep your first positions small, and read the full Robinhood review and fees guide before trading at size.

Sign up at Robinhood →

Eligibility, verification and features vary by US state and country and can change; confirm current requirements on Robinhood. 18+. Trading involves risk of loss.

Frequently asked questions

How do I sign up for Robinhood?

If you already use Robinhood Markets, just open the prediction-markets section; otherwise create a Robinhood Markets account, verify your identity, add funds and trade.

What do I need to open a Robinhood account?

You need to be 18 or older, eligible in your US state, and able to complete a one-time identity check with your name, date of birth and address.

Is Robinhood available where I live?

Availability varies by US state and by country and can change. Check Robinhood directly for your location, and see our state-by-state and international guides for the wider picture before signing up.

Ready to make your first informed trade?

Compare the top regulated platforms side by side, or start with the fundamentals. Independent reviews, no paid placement, updated for 2026.

Independent · No platform pays for placement · 18+ only