Start with the new provider, not the old one. The receiving promoter should confirm that it can open the right RESP type, support the beneficiary's grants and provincial incentives, and accept the transfer from the current provider.
After that, collect the current RESP account number, subscriber details, beneficiary details, transfer amount instructions, and whether the transfer should be cash or in kind. In many cases, the receiving provider sends the transfer request to the old provider.
Wait until the transfer is complete and statements are reconciled before making new large contributions. Contribution history can matter for the $50,000 lifetime limit and for grant planning.
How to check this rule
- Compare receiving providers by benefit support, fees, investment options, and withdrawal process.
- Ask the receiving provider whether the transfer will be full or partial and cash or in kind.
- Ask the old provider for transfer-out fees, group-plan restrictions, closure fees, and timelines.
- Complete the receiving provider's RESP transfer form with accurate subscriber and beneficiary information.
- Monitor both providers until the old account is closed or reduced and the new account shows the transferred buckets correctly.
- Save the final old statement, first new statement, and all transfer confirmations.
Details that matter
New provider usually leads
The receiving provider is usually the best starting point because it controls the transfer-in paperwork and can confirm what it can accept.
Cash versus in kind
A cash transfer sells investments before the move. An in-kind transfer tries to move eligible holdings without selling them.
No manual cash move
Withdrawing money to a personal account can create grant and tax consequences that a registered transfer is meant to avoid.
Statement check
The family should compare old and new statements before restarting contributions.
Example
Example: The receiving brokerage can accept the RESP but cannot hold one mutual fund from the old provider. The family chooses a cash transfer, confirms the transfer-out fee, waits for the new account to show the contribution and grant history, then builds the new investment allocation.
Questions to ask your provider
- Do you initiate RESP transfer-in requests, or do I need to contact the current provider first?
- Can you accept this RESP as cash, in kind, full, or partial?
- Can you support the child's CESG, additional CESG, CLB, and provincial incentives after the transfer?
- What documents do you need for the subscriber and beneficiary?
- How will I see transferred contributions, grants, bonds, incentives, and earnings on the new statement?
Read next
Transfer an RESP to another provider explains the broader decision and links to related tools.
Tool next step
RESP Provider Checklist can help estimate the practical contribution choices before you confirm eligibility with the promoter.
Provider next step
RESP Provider Checklist helps you compare promoters on grant support, fees, and withdrawal process before opening or moving an RESP.