• WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE LOST MY SHARE CERTIFICATE?
• WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE CHANGED MY ADDRESS?
• WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE CHANGED MY NAME?
• WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WISH TO TRANSFER MY SHARES TO SOMEONE ELSE?
• WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WISH TO GIVE MY SHARES TO SOMEONE ELSE?
• AS AN EXECUTOR, WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A SHAREHOLDER HAS DIED?
• WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WISH TO ADD A DIVIDEND MANDATE?
  
  
  

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE LOST MY SHARE CERTIFICATE?

A missing share certificate can only be replaced by means of the completion of a letter of indemnity by the shareholder.

If you know the certificate number of, and the number of shares represented by, the missing share certificate you should print off and complete the letter of indemnity available for download below in BLOCK CAPITALS. You will need to insert the name of the company in which you hold shares, the certificate number, the amount and class of shares, your full name and your address. The completed and signed letter of indemnity should be sent to our office together with a cheque for £23.50 in respect of our administration costs. Your cheque should be made payable to Share Registrars Ltd.

If the details of your missing share certificate are not available then you will need to contact our office so that we can inspect the share register. We will then send you a letter of indemnity for your signature. The completed and signed letter of indemnity should be returned to our office together with a cheque for £23.50 in respect of our administration costs. Your cheque should be made payable to Share Registrars Ltd.

If the value of the missing share certificate is greater than £200 then you will also need to arrange for your signature on the letter of indemnity to be guaranteed by a UK bank, insurance or guarantee company. They may make a charge for this service.

Download, letter of indemnity (PDF)

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE CHANGED MY ADDRESS?

You should print off and complete the change of address form available for download below. On receipt of the completed form we will amend the share register. We do not require you to send us your share certificate(s).

If you prefer to write to us then your letter should state the name of the company in which you hold shares, your full name as shown on the share certificate, your former address, your new address and either your holder code or certificate number(s).

Download, Change of Address form (PDF)

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE CHANGED MY NAME?

If your change of name is due to marriage then you should send us the marriage certificate together with your share certificate(s). We will record the change of name and return the marriage certificate to you together with the endorsed share certificate(s).

If your change of name is due to divorce then you should send us a copy of your decree absolute and a copy of your birth certificate together with your share certificate(s). We will record the change of name and return the copy of your decree absolute and the copy birth certificate to you together with the endorsed share certificate(s).

If your change of name is by means of a deed poll then you will need to send us a certified copy of the deed poll for registration. We will record the change of name and return the copy deed poll to you together with the endorsed share certificate(s).

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WISH TO TRANSFER MY SHARES TO SOMEONE ELSE?

Shares may only be transferred by completion of a stock transfer form. To complete the form you will need to insert the following information:

• The amount of consideration paid for the shares
• The full name of the company in which you hold shares
• The type of shares that you hold e.g. Ordinary Shares of 10p each
• The number of shares in words and figures that you are transferring
• Your signature and, if appropriate, the signatures of any joint holders
• The full names and address of the person to whom you are transferring the shares

Stamp duty is payable to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on transfers of shares at the rate of 0.5% of the amount of consideration paid for the shares rounded up to the next multiple of £5.00.

Legislation will be introduced in the Finance Bill 2008 to provide that instruments transferring stocks and shares that were previously chargeable with £5 stamp duty will in future be exempt and will not need to be presented to HMRC for stamping.  The measure will have effect for instruments executed on or after 13 March 2008.

If stamp duty is payable you will need to send the completed stock transfer form to:

Birmingham Stamp Office
9th Floor
City Centre House
30 Union Street
Birmingham
B2 4AR
Tel: 0845 603 0135
Fax: 0121 643 8381

You should then send the completed and stamped (if applicable) stock transfer form together with the covering share certificate to this office for registration. We will prepare a new share certificate in the name of the transferee and send you any balance certificate that may be required.

Download, Stock Transfer Form - use for transfers from 13 March 2008 (PDF)

Download, Stock Transfer Form - use for transfers up to 12 March 2008 (PDF)

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WISH TO GIVE MY SHARES TO SOMEONE ELSE?

You should follow the procedure set out above, but you should put “gift” or “nil” in the box on the stock transfer form which asks how much consideration was paid. If the transfer took place before 13 March 2008 you will then need to complete the second page of the stock transfer form showing that it is exempt from stamp duty under category L. If the transfer took place on or after 13 March 2008 no certificate need be completed.  The completed stock transfer form should then be sent to directly to our office for registration.

Download, Stock Transfer Form - use for transfers from 13 March 2008 (PDF)

Download, Stock Transfer Form - use for transfers up to 12 March 2008 (PDF)

AS AN EXECUTOR, WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A SHAREHOLDER HAS DIED?

We will note the death of a shareholder on the share register on receipt of an original copy of the death certificate. However, in order to enable us to recognise you as executor to an estate you will need to send us a Court sealed office copy of the grant of probate together with all of the share certificates representing the shareholding of the deceased shareholder. We will register the probate and return the Court sealed office copy of the grant of probate to you together with the endorsed share certificate(s).

The same procedure is required if you have been appointed as an Administrator to an estate, but in this case you will need to send us a Court sealed office copy of the grant of letters of administration.

If the shareholder died without leaving a Will, the value of the shareholding is less than £5,000 and the value of the estate is less than £20,000 then the small estates procedure may be appropriate. Please contact our office for further information.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WISH TO ADD A DIVIDEND MANDATE?

You should print off and complete the dividend mandate form and return it to this office for registration.

Download, Dividend mandate form (PDF)

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