- 1). Identify the type of shares you own. Except for a very few older share issues, all physical shares issued to investors today are "non-certificated" shares, that is, they are not bearer instruments and are not legally binding unless presented along with the matching book/electronic entry in the register. However, if you do have old "bearer instrument" stock certificates that you need to re-register with the issuing company to transfer ownership, this can be done using a stock transfer agent.
- 2). Collect the stock certificates and any other necessary official documents -- marriage, birth, death certificates--to prove the circumstances for (re)registration of the shares.
- 3). Contact a stock transfer company or agent with all of the appropriate documents to get the stock registered. Expect to pay a fee of $5 to $35 per certificate canceled or registered.
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