How to Open a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing Account
Key points:
• Opening an online brokerage account with J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is a simple process.
• J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing does not require a minimum deposit to open an account.
• Applicants must have a U.S. residential address.
If you’re thinking about starting a new brokerage account with J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing, this guide walks you through the process. Follow the steps below, and you should be able to get the application moving quickly.
Instructions for New Clients
Opening a new J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account can take only a short amount of time. To begin,
go to
chase.com. Select the “Investing by J.P. Morgan” tab. A drop-down menu will appear
with several investing-related choices.
Choose the “Invest on your own” link to reach the self-directed brokerage area. The next page currently shows details about an up to $1,000 bonus offer and includes a button for opening an account. Click the button to begin the application.
The account-opening page offers several choices, including a general investment account, a Traditional IRA, and a Roth IRA. Trust accounts are also available through J.P. Morgan, although they may require a different setup process. The general investment account is taxable and can be set up as an individual or joint account, with online joint applications subject to Chase’s current requirements.
With any account registration, a valid U.S. address is required along with a Social Security Number. Without these data points, an account cannot be opened. The one exception is a military address for a U.S. base overseas.
Once you pick the account type, you can continue into the complete application. If you already
have Chase login credentials as a current J.P. Morgan customer, you can indicate that during
the process, and the system may fill in some information automatically to make the application shorter.
If you continue without logging in, the application will request personal information, including name, date of birth, and Social Security Number, along with other required details.
U.S. citizenship is not required for every applicant, but a U.S. residential address and eligibility under Chase’s rules are required.
J.P. Morgan may ask for an identification document, such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID, as part of the account-opening process. Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers and Employer Identification Numbers are not eligible for this account type.
Complete the remaining fields and send in the application once all entries are accurate.
New clients can also begin an application from a mobile device. Tap the link at the bottom of the Chase app without signing in to start a new account. This opens a mobile-friendly application page in a mobile browser, where the same form can be completed. During our testing of this system, we found it fairly easy to use.
Instructions for Existing Clients
Existing Chase users can sign in to the mobile app and tap the wallet icon in the upper-left corner. The following page displays icons for different J.P. Morgan products. Select the “Invest on your own” icon to bring up the account application in a mobile format.
Current customers can open investing accounts on the website as well. Log in to chase.com and select the Investments tab from the main menu. In the drop-down menu, find the “Open an account” column and choose “Invest on your own” to start a self-directed brokerage account. Continue through the application; it is the same general application described above, although some information may already be filled in.
Margin Capability
A taxable J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account can have cash or margin capability.
Minimum Deposit Required
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing does not require any deposit amount to open a brokerage account. Keeping it funded with a small amount will prevent it from being closed.
Special Note for Non-U.S. Citizens
Non-U.S. citizens who apply will need to provide or meet certain eligibility details, including:
- Country of citizenship
- Green Card status, if applicable
- Resident alien or W-9 tax-paying non-U.S. citizen eligibility status
Soft Inquiry Alert
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing does perform a soft inquiry when opening a brokerage account. You should be sure to remove any credit freezes on your reports before submitting an application; otherwise, the application will be rejected.
Getting Help
If you need help while completing the application, J.P. Morgan’s brokerage support team can assist you. The brokerage department can be reached at
800-392-5749. Hours of operation are
Monday through Friday, 8 am to 9 pm, ET. Saturday hours are
9 am to 5 pm, ET.
How Long Does it Take to Open an Account?
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing says it reviews applications within 1 business day. If more information is needed, the firm will contact the applicant. An email will also be sent when the account is opened or when additional action is required, so monitor your inbox after applying.
Updated on 6/16/2026.
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