Fund Your Alto IRA with IRA Transfers

This article will walk you through how to transfer funds from another retirement account into your Alto IRA using an IRA Transfer, also known as a Trustee-to-Trustee Transfer.

IN THIS ARTICLE: 

Initiate an IRA Transfer in Your Alto Dashboard
IRA Transfer Timeline
Next Steps 
Tips For a Smooth Transfer
Cancel an IRA Transfer

What You’ll Need

Before starting your transfer, make sure you have:

  • The account number of your current retirement account

Initiate an IRA Transfer in Your Dashboard

  • Log in to your Alto dashboard
    • Select Transfer Funds from the top menu
    • Choose Into Alto from the dropdown
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  • Choose IRA Transfer
    • Select IRA Transfer as your funding method

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  • Enter Transfer Details

    • Select the type of IRA you’re transferring from (e.g., Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA)

    • Select the name of your current custodian

      • If it's not listed, choose Other 

    • Enter your account number

    • Choose the amount to transfer

      • If you select “Just transfer a specific cash amount,” you’ll be prompted to enter the dollar amount manually

    • Select delivery method: check or wire

    • Click Continue


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  • Review & Sign

    • Double-check all your entries

    • To make changes, click Make Edits

    • Type your name exactly as shown under the signature box

    • Click Confirm & Sign

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  • Complete the Paperwork

    • Click Review & Sign under Transfer of Assets Request

    • A message will pop up—click OK

    • In the HelloSign form:

      • Click Get Started

      • Click Click to Sign, create your signature, then click Insert

      • Click Continue, then I Agree

      • Click Close once it confirms submission

  • Upload Your Statement (if prompted)

    • On the Complete the Paperwork page, you may be prompted to upload a statement. This requirement is custodian-specific.

    • If prompted, click Upload under Statement Summary.

    • Select your PDF statement (or acceptable screenshot if no statement is available) and click Open.

    • Once both checkmarks appear, click Continue.

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  • If a Wet Signature is Required
    • Click Print to download your Transfer of Assets Request form
    • Sign the form in black ink in the Wet Signature Required section
    • Scan the signed form as a PDF
    • Return to the Wet Signature Required step in your Alto dashboard
    • Upload the scanned PDF and click Submit

Next Steps After Submitting Your IRA Transfer

Once you’ve completed the IRA Transfer process in your Alto dashboard, we’ll review your request and fax it to your transferring custodian.

  • What to Do Next 
    • Follow up with your custodian 1–2 business days after initiation to confirm they received the request and have started processing.
    • If your custodian has not received the request, contact us and we’ll resend it right away.
  • Processing Times
    • Wire Transfers
      • Processing times vary by custodian. Some send wires quickly, while others may take several business days to review and release the funds.
      • Once a wire is sent and received by Alto, we’ll allocate it to your account within 24 business hours.
    • Check Transfers
      • If your custodian sends the check by standard mail, it may take 7–15 business days to arrive. If overnighted, it usually arrives within 1 business day.
      • All checks are held for 4 business days after receipt to help prevent chargebacks. Funds are allocated on the 4th business day.

Once the funds are received and credited to your Alto account, you’ll receive an automated confirmation email with the details.

Tips for a Smooth Transfer

We recommend reaching out to your custodian after submitting your request to:

  • Confirm they’ve received the transfer paperwork

  • Ask when they expect to send the funds

  • Request tracking details if the transfer will be sent by check

How to Cancel an IRA Transfer

  • If you haven’t completed the transfer process in your Alto dashboard, please contact our Support team, and we can cancel it for you.

  • If you’ve already received confirmation that the transfer request was sent to your custodian, you’ll need to:

    • Contact your custodian to cancel the request on their end

    • Once they confirm the cancellation, reach back out to us, and we’ll cancel the request in our system as well

Need Help?

If you have any questions, we’re happy to assist: