This article walks through moving money into your account online by transferring an existing IRA held at another custodian — a custodian-to-custodian transfer.
What you'll need
Access to your online portal (you're signed in)
The name of the custodian your existing IRA is held with, and your account number there
The account type of your existing IRA (Traditional, Roth, SEP, and so on) and how much you want to transfer
Steps
A transfer moves funds directly between two IRAs of the same type, institution to institution — for example, from a Traditional IRA at another custodian into your Traditional IRA held by Digital Trust, our custodian. You start the request in your portal, sign it, and review the transfer form the custodian generates. Digital Trust then coordinates the transfer with your current custodian.
1. Open Add Funds
From your dashboard, select Add Funds in the left-hand menu. This opens the Select a Funding Method screen.
2. Choose "Transfer from an IRA"
On the Select a Funding Method screen you'll see three options: Deposit Cash or Crypto, Transfer from a retirement account, and Rollover an Employer Plan. Select Transfer from a retirement account — this is the option for moving funds from an IRA of the same type held elsewhere. This opens the Transfer Existing IRA screen.
3. Tell us about the IRA you're transferring
Fill in the Transfer Existing IRA form:
What Type Of Retirement Account Do You Have? — select the account type of your existing IRA (Traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE, Inherited, or Inherited Roth).
Who Is Your Current Account With? — start typing and select your current custodian from the list of providers.
Account Number — enter your account number at that custodian.
Where Are You Contributing? — select the account the funds should land in (for example, your Digital Trust Traditional IRA).
Total Amount To Transfer — enter the dollar amount.
4. Choose partial or full, and sign
Under Transfer Type, choose Partial Transfer (a set dollar amount) or Full Transfer (the entire balance). Then select Click to Draw Signature, draw your signature in the pop-up, and select Sign. When the form is complete, select Continue.
5. Review and finish the transfer form
The Contribution Form screen shows the Digital Trust Transfer Request Form for an IRA-to-IRA transfer, pre-filled with your details. Review the information for accuracy, complete any remaining required fields, then select Finish. You'll see a confirmation that your request has been submitted, and you'll return to your dashboard.
After you submit, Digital Trust processes the request and coordinates with your current custodian to move the funds. You can check progress under Transaction History in your portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a partial and a full transfer?
A Partial Transfer moves a specific dollar amount you enter, leaving the rest of the account in place. A Full Transfer moves the entire balance, which typically closes the account at your current custodian.
How long does an IRA transfer take?
Transfer timing depends in part on your current custodian's process, since they have to release the funds. For a breakdown by funding method, see the funding timelines article.
Will a transfer trigger taxes?
A direct custodian-to-custodian transfer between IRAs of the same type is generally not a taxable event and is not reported to the IRS the way a distribution is. We recommend consulting a tax advisor or attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
What if my current custodian isn't in the list?
Choose the closest match or contact the Service Team, who can help you start the transfer if your custodian doesn't appear in the provider list.
Need more support? Contact our Service team
Select "Start a Conversation" from the Chat menu or call us at 1-800-RETIRED