Hey guys, I've just finished making my direct registration transfer request with E*TRADE and wanted to share how to do it since speaking with their customer service agent was a waste of eight precious minutes and I know how valuable you guys' time is.

Firstly, there's been some previous reports that you need $500 cash in your account to initiate the transfer. This is TRUE. However, it will only be charged temporarily until E*TRADE confirms that the security being direct registered (GME in this case) is an on-exchange security (NYSE) with a registrar (Computershare).

Here's the specific way to get there (since I created this post, they've updated the skin but how to get there is still the same so don't be scared by the screenshots looking slightly different):

1. Access the online request form by going to etrade.com>> Accounts >> Documents >> Forms & Applications >> Deposits & Withdrawals section >> Under Brokerage, click More >> Request a Stock Certificate.

After doing all the things, here's where to find it.

1. Click "Submit Online". Yay, APE no talk goot anyway.

Now here's where the scary $500 language comes in. BUT APE NO SCARED.

See? I've highlighted all the parts where it is free while calmly stroking that thick black fur on your head.

1. Select an account from the drop-down menu.4. Check the box next to the security for which a DRS transfer should be processed (GME).5. Indicate the number of shares for which a DRS transfer should be processed (like, all of them duh).6. Click Preview to confirm the details of the request.7. Click Confirm to submit the request.

Boom. Couldn't be easier. Now we wait for 3-5 days.

Once again:

Easy there, fella. Easy. It'll be okay. It's just temporary.

​

That's it! Hope this helps you E*TRADE smooth brains get over your anxiety.

Disclaimer: I'm a smooth brain ape. Not financial advice, just a howto.

Edit 09/30/2021:

So I've been waiting patiently for the shares from my E*TRADE account to poof disappear and end up at CS. As many have reported, this has taken MUCH longer than originally advertised. I did NOT call E*TRADE at any point in this process since making the request and they finally have been removed from my total of shares. Checking in on the progress, I looked into the Customer Service Center messages and found my initial DRS set:

It's only 8 shares for now... I'm gonna tinker with CS then do another request.

Looking into my transaction history, I see the record for the transfer and the $0.00 charge for it:

All good so far.

Another edit Sept 30rd, 2021:

Okay, now that we know the shares are DRS'ed, it's time to mosey over to ComputerShare.com and register for an account. Go to Investor View then Register New and go through the signup process. There was a bunch of FUD early on that you had to wait on a letter to be sent to you to get a security code to finish registration but that's not true--they have an online security questionnaire based on your credit report information that allows them to verify your identity without awaiting the letter.

Anddddd boom: https://www.reddit.com/r/Superstonk/comments/pynpke/finally_drs_from_etrade_after_2_weeks_of_waiting/hevdzri

I'm in. Next thing I did was went ahead and purchased more GME today to see how that process goes. I'm happy to answer anything in the comments, but I think that's it for edits as the process is complete. I'll initiate another transfer probably next week since this was just a "touch my toe in the water cause I'm a pansy" DRS.

Edit Jan 4rd, 2022:

For those looking into their Computershare account and seeing that ETRADE did not send over the cost basis information for their shares, this required a call into ETRADE to correct. On the voice system, say "cost basis" when it asks you why you are calling. I got a regular service rep who then transferred me to the "cost basis department". Make sure they stay on the line with you, as it's the beginning of the year and the hold time was like 25 minutes and I got hung up on by the automated system the first try after 35 minutes. The "cost basis department" guy sent a request in to the backoffice that he said was usually handled in 1-2 days (at which point, Computershare may have to spend some time doing recordkeeping stuff before posting the update).

Where can you see your cost basis on Computershare? In Activity page, click the Transactions tab, click the Gamestop row dropdown, click the View Details link beside the lot of which you want to check the cost basis. In that page, the Cost Basis column should NOT be $0.00, and I'm pretty sure the Type should NOT be "Non-Covered".

Edit Jan 5rd, 2022:

Well I attempted round 4 of DRSing (round 3 from ETRADE) today only to find out that the "Confirm" button for doing so appears to be broken. On Dec 20th, 2021, I saw this heavily upvoted post which showed where in the frontend code it was broken, but since then the user and post have been deleted:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Superstonk/comments/rl1ogx/found_the_bug_in_etrade_code_that_prevents/

I guess until ETRADE fixes it, we've got to call in. Boooooooooo. So I called in and mentioned the post and the upvotes on it and how my call was because the button doesn't work and how they customer service should report it to development so they can fix the bug, and he seemed receptive. Guess we'll see.

Edit Jan 12th, 2022:

So a little birdie told me that the ETRADE DRS button bug is fixed. Just need someone to test it out! I've reached out to Superstonk here to see: https://www.reddit.com/r/Superstonk/comments/s2fkvt/etrade_ape_drs_button_fixed_last_night_boom/

Edit Jan 26th, 2022:

u/I_WILL_EAT_UR_POOP confirmed in the comments of the above post DRS button is now working.

Additionally, I called in AGAIN to request cost basis information be sent over. Despite having called in on Jan 4th, 2022 above, ETRADE has still not sent the cost basis information over to CS.

Edit Feb 09th, 2022:

After checking my CS accounts, I still don't see cost basis information in their web interface. I called CS and attempted to deal with the problem on their end, since ETRADE didn't seem to be helping. They confirmed the web interface wasn't showing cost basis information, but said they would mail me the cost basis information. This leads me to believe that ETRADE did send it over (perhaps not on the initial transfer but no way of knowing for sure?). I'll update when I receive the letter, I'm half expecting it to come in and show what the web interface shows...in which case I'm going to go full Karen at the ETRADE backoffice team...

Edit Mar 21st, 2022:

So I've done a partial ACAT to Fidelity. Unfortunately everything I attempt to use breaks:https://www.reddit.com/r/Superstonk/comments/ta9n42/anybody_else_having_problems_with_acat_transfers/Apparently Fidelity wasn't letting me do it via the web application, so I submitted the fillable PDF from their website instead on or around Mar 09th, 2022. My shares showed up in my Fidelity account roughly 7 days later, but not with the cost basis information. When chatting with Fidelity about DRS'ing them, I realized the cost basis information wasn't there. Rather than continue the DRS, since I'm attempting to bear out this cost basis information, I chose to wait for what the Fidelity rep said would be a 10-14 day period during which Etrade will send Fidelity the cost basis information. After it is safely in Fidelity, I'll DRS to Computershare. My takeway is that considering cost basis information, transferring to Fidelity FIRST before DRSing MAY be the only way to preserve cost basis but is significantly slower than DRS'ing from ETRADE. I'll update this later when I've actually teased it out.

Edit Mar 30th, 2022:

Cost basis showed up in Fidelity after a couple more days. Then I initiated the DRS to Computershare. Shares are now in Computershare, but lack cost basis information. I'm hoping it will come across in a few days, but I don't remember having to wait for it last time (I've previously bought directly with Fidelity and DRSed and the cost basis information came across). Will report back.

Edit Apr 1st, 2022:

Cost basis information for the shares that went ACAT from ETRADE->Fidelity, then DRSed from Fidelity->Computershare has arrived! So start to finish this process took 3 weeks, but for ETRADE apes that seems to be the fastest and most hassle-free way to get your shares DRS'ed into Computershare with cost basis information. Also, I succeeded at performing another ACAT from ETRADE->Fidelity, this time using their online tool (no fillable PDF submission required), so seems they fixed the bug that was preventing me from doing it before.

Edit May 16, 2022:

u/toughToFindUsername reported an inability to DRS shares via ETRADE's app. I can reproduce the issue on my own account. He and I reported to ETRADE through various channels. We'll see if & when they fix it. As of today, the most viable way for ETRADE apes to DRS is via ACAT transfer to Fidelity and then DRS from there. For those curious, here's what it looks like:

Note no symbols are loading in the table above \"Check all/Clear all\" links. There are securities in my account, so they should be loading as per previous experiences.

Edit May 18th, 2022:

A little bird told me the issue reported above on May 16th will be fixed on May 24th. Separately, I called the Cost Basis team again with regards to my DRS'ed ETRADE shares and told them that I still had no cost basis information. Apparently ETRADE is aware of the issue, saying "Computershare is rejecting cost basis information. After not-unrudely reminding him that it is an ETRADE issue (Fidelity transfers it just fine), I asked for my DRS cost basis information to be sent to me. He said it could be done via ETRADE secure message. We'll see.

Edit Mar 27th, 2023:

According to this post, ETRADE has lowered the fund requirement that they temporarily hold before DRSing from $500 to $60 (note this temporary hold is still waived if you call in):

https://www.reddit.com/r/Superstonk/comments/123xefe/etrade_lowered_the_drs_charge_from_500_to_60/