We’re sorry for your loss and we understand this is a difficult time. Computershare is here to provide support through the steps that may be needed following the passing of a shareholder.

1. Notify Computershare

Start by contacting us

When you're ready, please notify Computershare of the shareholder’s passing. This will allow us to place a protective hold on the shareholder’s account, keeping it secure while you manage next steps.

Please have the following information ready when you contact us:

  • Full name of the deceased shareholder
  • Name of the company in which the shares are held
  • Deceased shareholder’s account number (begins with "C" and appears on a recent statement)
  • Deceased shareholder’s address

To notify us of a shareholder's passing, please click the 'Contact Us' button below.

Contact us

What to expect next

After you notify us, continue with the steps below to complete the process. Depending on the account type and state laws, you may be asked to provide various documents and other requirements, such as:

  • Transfer Request Form – Required to initiate the movement of shares to a new or existing account.
  • Certified Death Certificate – An official copy is typically required to verify the account holder’s passing.
  • Court Documents – Such as Letters of Administration or other legal documents that establish the authority of the person handling the estate, if applicable.
  • Medallion Guarantee Stamp – a special certification stamp that may be required on certain forms. It verifies the identity of the person signing and confirms their legal authority to act on behalf of the estate.

Additional items may be needed. The steps below will highlight other requirements that could apply.

2. Obtain legal documents

Determine account registration

Check if the account is Transfer-on-Death or Joint Ownership

Before gathering legal documents, it’s important to check how the account is registered:

  • Transfer-on-Death (TOD): If a TOD beneficiary is listed, shares may pass directly to the named beneficiary without the need for probate.
  • With Right of Survivorship (WROS): If the account is jointly held (also known as Joint Tenants or Tenants by Entirety), the surviving tenant(s) takes title to deceased tenant’s share of the account.

If the account is registered as TOD or WROS (Joint Tenants or Tenants by Entirety), you can skip to Step 5 to begin the transfer shares process. If not, continue to Step 3.

3. Review documents

Gather the right paperwork

To manage the shareholder’s account after they pass away, you’ll usually need official documents from the court. These documents give someone the legal authority to handle the shareholder’s estate.

Here is what you may need:

  • The Will (if there is one): This names the person (called an executor) who is responsible for managing the estate. The court may begin a process called probate to make this official.
  • If there is no Will: The court may appoint someone (called an administrator) to manage the estate. This is usually done through a document called Letters of Administration (the name may vary by state).
  • Other documents you’ll likely need:
    • A certified copy of the death certificate
    • An Affidavit of Domicile (a form that confirms where the person lived)
    • An Inheritance Tax Waiver, if required by the state

These documents are important because they give legal permission to the person handling the estate to transfer or manage the deceased shareholder’s assets.

4. Transfer shares

Understand the shareholder’s wishes

Understanding the deceased shareholder’s intentions helps guide the transfer or distribution of shares.

  • Review the Will to see who is named as executor and who the intended beneficiaries are.
  • The Will may include specific instructions about how the shares should be handled.

If there isn’t a Will, state laws – called intestate succession laws – determine who inherits the shareholder’s assets. These laws vary by state. In this case, the probate court may appoint an administrator or personal representative to manage the estate and distribute the assets according to the law.

Legal and tax considerations

How to transfer shares after the death of a shareholder

Once you have completed your forms and gathered the required documents – or confirmed the account is TOD or WROS (Joint Tenants or Tenants by Entirety) – you can begin the process of transferring the shares.

Click the 'Transfer Shares' button below to get started.

Transfer shares

Please be advised that the time to complete the transfer process varies depending on the size and complexity of the estate.

 

Important Note

This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. If you need assistance, you should consult an attorney or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.

Checklist

We've created a downloadable checklist to help you with the necessary steps following the shareholder's passing. We hope this checklist offers support during this difficult time.

Download Checklist

Frequently asked questions

  • Some shareholders may have received paper stock certificates instead of holding shares electronically. To check, review recent Computershare statements, which may indicate whether shares are held in certificate or electronic form.

  • If the original share certificate is lost, you’ll need to report it to Computershare. We’ll place a hold on the shares under the certificate and guide you through the steps to request a replacement. You will need to complete and submit an "Affidavit and Application" with associated fees to purchase an Open Penalty Surety Bond to replace the lost certificate/s. The process and cost may vary depending on the value of the lost shares.

  • A Medallion Guarantee is a special stamp that’s used when you sell or transfer U.S. securities. It confirms that the signature authorizing the transaction is genuine and that the person signing has the legal authority to do so.

    You can typically obtain a Medallion Guarantee from a bank, credit union, or brokerage firm where you have an account.

    To learn more about a Medallion Guarantee, click here.

  • Some assets can bypass the probate process and go directly to a beneficiary or co-owner. These typically include:

    • Transfer-on-Death (TOD) assets: These are accounts or securities that have a designated beneficiary. If the proper forms were completed and signed, these assets transfer directly to the named individual(s).
    • Retirement accounts: Assets in IRAs, 401(k)s, or other retirement plans with a named, surviving beneficiary do not go through probate.
    • Trust-held assets: Property or accounts held in a trust are managed according to the terms of the trust and do not pass through probate.
    • Jointly owned property: Assets held as joint tenants with rights of survivorship or tenants by the entirety automatically pass to the surviving co-owner.
    • Life insurance proceeds: If a beneficiary is named and survives the deceased, the proceeds are paid directly to them.

    Additionally, some states offer small estate administration procedures that simplify or avoid probate altogether, depending on the estate’s value and other factors. You can check with the state government office in the shareholder’s state of residence for more information.

  • A Transfer on Death (TOD) beneficiary is someone a shareholder names to receive specific assets – such as shares – after their death. If the TOD designation was properly completed while the shareholder was alive, these assets typically do not go through probate and are transferred directly to the named beneficiary. 

    To set up a TOD designation:

    • The shareholder must complete and submit a specific TOD form to Computershare while they are living.
    • The designation can be changed or revoked at any time before the shareholder’s death.
    • Once the shareholder passes away, the TOD designation becomes final and cannot be changed.

    This information is not legal or tax advice. If you’re unsure about your situation, it’s best to consult with an attorney or tax advisor.

  • Letters of Administration are legal documents issued by a probate court that give someone the authority to manage the estate of a person who passed away without a Will.

    The person appointed is usually called an administrator or personal representative. They are responsible for tasks such as paying any outstanding debts and distributing the deceased person’s property according to state law.

    The probate process – and the terms used – can vary depending on the state. If you're unsure about what applies to your situation, it's a good idea to speak with an attorney or tax advisor.

  • After you submit the required forms, we’ll begin processing your request. This may take some time, depending on the size and complexity of the estate.

    If you have submitted all the necessary documents, we will send a confirmation by mail to the address on record. If there are any issues with the transfer request, you will receive a mailed notification at the same address, explaining any additional requirements needed to proceed.

  • There are no fees to transfer the shares. However, there may be other costs associated with the transfer process, such as:

    • Medallion Guarantee fees: Your financial institution may charge a fee to provide this.
    • Alternative verification fees: If you choose to use an alternative to the Medallion Guarantee, a fee may apply for that option.
    • Probate-related fees: There may be costs associated with the probate process, depending on your situation.
    • Tax Implications: Transferring shares may have tax consequences that could result in a financial impact.
    • Lost certificate fees: If the original share certificate is lost, a replacement fee may be required.

  • To help ensure your transfer request is processed smoothly, avoid these common mistakes:

    • Missing physical share certificates: If physical certificates are required, be sure to include them with your submission.
    • No Medallion Signature Guarantee: Applicable documents must have a valid Medallion Signature Guarantee stamp.
    • Unclear instructions: Make sure your instructions clearly state how and to whom the shares should be transferred.

    Double-checking these items before submitting your request can help prevent delays or rejections.

 

Useful links

  • Uncashed payments

    Request new copies of checks or credits.

  • Unclaimed property

    Read about unclaimed property laws and how they affect you.

  • Manage beneficiaries

    Add or remove beneficiaries on your existing account.

  • Medallion Signature Guarantee

    Find a Medallion Signature Guarantee Provider.

  • Transfer shares for another reason

    Visit our transfer my stock page to transfer shares as gifts or other reasons.

Important disclosures and information

Privacy notice

At Computershare, we take privacy seriously. In the course of providing services to you in connection with direct registration services and/or custody services, we receive nonpublic, personal information about you. We receive this information through transactions we perform for you, from enrollment forms, automatic debit forms, and through other communications with you in writing, electronically, and by telephone. We may also receive information about you by virtue of your transaction with affiliates of Computershare or other parties. This information may include your name, address (residential and mailing), social security number, bank account information, date of birth, government-issued identification number, and other financial information.

With respect both to current and former customers, Computershare does not share non-public personal information with any non-affiliated third-party except as necessary to process a transaction, service your account or as required or permitted by law. Our affiliates and outside service providers with whom we share information are legally bound not to disclose the information in any manner, unless required or permitted by law or other governmental process. We strive to restrict access to your personal information to those employees who need to know the information to provide our services to you.

Computershare maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information. Computershare realizes that you entrust us with confidential personal and financial information, and we take that trust very seriously. For information about Computershare’s Privacy Policy Statement, please go to www.computershare.com/us/privacy.