What is the Robinhood legal age?
| Requirement | Details | Notes |
| Minimum age | 18 years old | Applies to all account types |
| Custodial accounts for under-18s | Not available | Robinhood does not offer this |
| ID verification required | Yes | Government-issued photo ID (passport or driver's licence) |
| SSN required | Yes | Social Security Number mandatory |
| Selfie verification | Sometimes required | For additional identity confirmation |
| US resident requirement | Yes | US residents only |
| Prediction markets age | 18+ | All event contracts |
| Sports event contracts | 18+ but restricted in MD, NV, NJ | Available in eligible states |
| Political and economic contracts | 18 plus, available in all states | No state restrictions |
The minimum age to open any account on Robinhood is 18 years old. This applies universally across the platform whether you want to trade stocks, cryptocurrencies, options, futures, Robinhood event contracts, or open an IRA for retirement savings. You cannot get around this.
Robinhood does not offer custodial accounts so even with a parent or guardian willing to supervise and sponsor an account, minors under 18 cannot access the platform.
The reason is that US financial law requires you to be a legal adult to enter into binding financial contracts. Robinhood Financial LLC is a registered broker-dealer regulated by FINRA and SIPC. Its prediction markets are also regulated by the CFTC. These regulatory bodies mandate that traders be at least 18 years of age so this is not a Robinhood decision made in isolation so it is a legal requirement.
Pros and cons of Robinhood
Aside from Robinhood fees explained, new users need to understand that all prediction market sites do follow a minimum age requirement. And it’s more of a benefit to users than a disadvantage. Here are the overall pros and cons of Robinhood:
- Minimum age 18 across all products
- ID verification for user safety and protection
- Prediction markets on politics, economics, and sports
- Sports prediction markets restricted in MD, NV, NJ
Trade prediction market event contracts at Robinhood
The platform’s prediction markets hub, as seen in detail in a Robinhood prediction markets review, lets you trade event contracts on political outcomes, economic events, cultural results, and sports matchups.
To access this you need a standard Robinhood account at 18 plus, then you must enable margin investing or achieve Level 2 options approval, and then you apply for a Robinhood Derivatives account. Once Derivatives is approved the prediction markets hub appears under Investing in the app. Political and economic contracts are available in all 50 US states, but Robinhood sports markets are unavailable in Maryland, Nevada, and New Jersey.
How does Robinhood verify your age?
Robinhood uses a multi-step identity verification process and you cannot bypass it. Every new account goes through this before trading becomes available, including access to products like Robinhood election markets.
- Enter your personal information - During registration you provide your full legal name, date of birth, address, and phone number. Your date of birth is cross-referenced as the first age check. If the date of birth you enter places you under 18 the registration process will not proceed.
- Submit your social security number - Every Robinhood account requires your Social Security Number. Your SSN allows Robinhood to verify your identity against official US records and confirm that you are who you say you are. Without a valid SSN you cannot open a Robinhood account regardless of age.
- Upload a government-issued photo ID - Robinhood requires a government-issued photo ID to complete verification. Acceptable documents include a US passport and a US driver's licence. You photograph both the front and back of the document and upload it through the app.
- Selfie verification if required - In some cases Robinhood also requests a live selfie which is matched against the photo on your submitted ID. This step does not apply to everyone but it may be triggered if the automated verification system flags any inconsistency.
Ready to start at 18? Use our on-page banners to sign up for Robinhood
The Robinhood legal age requirement of 18 is a firm line set by US financial law and Robinhood enforces it across every product on the platform without exception. There are no custodial accounts, no workarounds, and no partial access for under-18s. But for anyone who has just turned 18 or is about to, what waits on the other side of that verification is impressive.
We thoroughly enjoyed navigating every corner of the product and the combination of investment tools and prediction markets in one place is something you rarely find anywhere else. Use our on-page banners to reach Robinhood right now if you are 18 or older, register your account, complete your verification in one sitting, and start exploring what the platform can do for you.
FAQs on Robinhood legal age
What documents do I need to verify my age on Robinhood?
To verify your age and identity on Robinhood you need a government-issued photo ID showing your date of birth which can be a US passport or a US driver's licence, your Social Security Number, and a selfie matched against your ID photo.
Can a 17-year-old use Robinhood?
No. Robinhood does not allow anyone under 18 to open or use an account under any circumstances. Unlike some other brokerages, Robinhood does not offer custodial accounts which would allow a parent or guardian to manage an account on behalf of a minor.
Can I use Robinhood prediction markets at 18 in any US state?
At 18 you can access political and economic event contracts on Robinhood's prediction markets in all 50 US states. However sports event contracts are currently restricted in Maryland, Nevada, and New Jersey.
