Requirements To Buy Stocks — Tested

: You generally must be at least 18 years old to open a standard brokerage account on your own. In some states, this requirement may be as high as 21.

: Brokerages are required to report your investment income and capital gains to the IRS, so providing an SSN or Taxpayer Identification Number is mandatory. 2. Financial Prerequisites: The "Pre-Flight" Checklist requirements to buy stocks

In the United States, buying stocks involves signing a legal contract with a brokerage, which means you must meet certain legal standards. : You generally must be at least 18