Welcome to M1! This guide will walk you through the steps to open an M1 investment account, including eligibility requirements, account types, required documents, and answers to common questions.
Steps to open an M1 account
Submit the application for your M1 Account
You’ll receive an email within one business day either confirming your application’s been approved or asking for a little bit more information.
If we request a document to verify your identity, we’ll include instructions for uploading your documents securely.
Eligibility requirements
To open an M1 investment account, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Be a US citizen or US permanent resident (Green Card holder)
Be at least 18 years old
Have a current US residential address
Have a valid US phone number (Note: VOIP numbers, such as those from Republic Wireless or Google Voice, are not accepted for verification)
Account types available at M1
Every M1 client must first open an Individual Brokerage Account or an IRA before opening additional accounts. You can only open an IRA as your first M1 investment account on web.
Account types
Individual brokerage account
Joint brokerage account*
IRAs
Trust account
Custodial account
Cash account: Non-investment cash account on M1.
Crypto account: Account for trading cryptocurrencies.
*M1 Joint brokerage accounts owned by two people (typically spouses or partners); can only be managed under a single M1 login.
Required documents for verification
In many cases, your identity can be verified automatically using public data sources. Sometimes, additional documents are required. If needed, we will email you with secure instructions to upload your documents.
Commonly accepted documents
Proof of identity: Valid, unexpired US driver’s license, state ID, or passport (color copy, front and back if applicable)
Proof of address: Most recent utility bill, bank or credit card statement, or government-issued letter addressed to your residence (dated within the past 60 days, showing your name and address)
Social Security Number (SSN): Required for tax reporting and identity verification
Note: All documents must be clear, legible, and not expired.
Timeline expectations
Initial review: Most applications are reviewed within 1 business day.
If additional documents required: Allow 5–7 business days for review after submitting requested documents.
Opening additional accounts: After your first Individual Brokerage Account or IRA is completed, you can open additional eligible accounts. This process may take up to 24 hours for new account types to become available.
Brokerage accounts on the M1 platform are either fully disclosed to APEX Clearing or cleared through M1 Finance LLC. Please look at your account statement to determine how your account is cleared.
All investing involves risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance does not guarantee future performance. Using margin can add to these risks. Users utilizing APEX cleared margin accounts should review the APEX margin account risk disclosure before borrowing. Users utilizing M1 cleared margin accounts should review the M1 margin account risk disclosure before borrowing. M1 Margin Loans are available on margin accounts with at least $2,000 invested per account. Not available for Retirement or Custodial accounts. Margin rates may vary.
Brokerage products and services are offered by M1 Finance LLC, Member FINRA / SIPC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of M1 Holdings, Inc.
This content was generated using artificial intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. While reasonable efforts are made to ensure accuracy, AI-generated outputs may omit key context; and should not be construed as financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Users should independently verify all information and consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
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