The company changed or merged
We trace it to the company and registrar that hold it today.
Your question, answered
I found old share certificates. Are they worth anything?
Often, yes. Old certificates can still lead to real shares, even after name changes, mergers or years without dividends.
Hello — I’ll walk you through this. Six short questions.
Guided check
What Could Your Certificates Lead To?
It depends on the company’s history and whose name is on them.
The shareholder has passed away
The family can claim it through transmission, then demat.
Dividends stopped years ago
We check if it’s still with the company or moved to IEPF.
What changes the route.
Can you read a company name on the certificate?
If yes
Great, that’s the best starting point. We can follow the company through any name change or merger and check its register for your holding.
If no
Still fine. A folio number, a registrar’s name, or even the holder’s name is often enough for us to find the company.
Is the name on the certificate spelled exactly as it is on your ID today?
If yes
That makes things much simpler. Matching names is usually the slowest part of a claim.
If no
Very common, and not a problem. Initials, married names and spelling changes over the years are all routine, and there’s a set way to fix them.
Has the person named on the certificate passed away?
If yes
Then the family claims it through transmission as well. What’s needed depends on whether there’s a nominee or a will.
If no
Then you claim in your own name, which is the quicker route.
Have you received any dividend from this company in the last seven years?
If yes
Then the shares are most likely still with the company, which is the simpler route.
If no
They may have moved to the IEPF. That’s not a loss, just a different claim, and we’d check first rather than assume.
Start Your Certificate Review
Share your name and number. We’ll call and explain where to begin.
- Start with what you have
- A real person reviews it
- Called back soon
The process
What happens after you contact us?
We use your answers to find the right route first, so you never collect papers you don’t need.
Start a free check →01
We understand what happened
We start with what you remember and what’s worrying you.
02
We check the available trail
We review the information that can establish the holding and its present status.
03
We identify the right route
We sort out the main issue and anything linked to it, like transmission or a correction.
04
We organise the next move
We explain what applies to you and help prepare it.
Old Share Certificates: Your Questions
Clear answers before you decide anything.
Do old share certificates expire?
A paper certificate does not expire merely because it is old. Its present status depends on the company and shareholder records.
What if the company name no longer exists?
The company may have renamed, merged, reorganised or closed. The corporate trail helps determine whether a current holding can be identified.
Can I start with only a photograph of the certificate?
Yes. A readable photograph can provide the company, shareholder, folio and certificate references needed for an initial review.
What if the certificate belongs to a deceased relative?
Eligible nominees or heirs may be able to pursue the holding through transmission and any connected recovery route.
Is the first certificate review free?
Yes. We first review what you found and explain the likely route before you decide whether to proceed.
Those Old Certificates Deserve a Closer Look
Tell us what’s written on them. We’ll find the holding and the next step. Checking is always free.