Change name on stock certificate.?

Question

I have recently married and have changed my name. I have some stock shares listed in my maiden name. How do I change my name on a stock certificate?

Answer 1

You need to get the stock certificate "re-registered".

This can be done by having ALL parties who are currently listed as "owners" on the stock, sign the back of the stock, itself. However, if you make even a teensy-tiny spelling mistake on it, it might not be processed!!!

Instead, use a generic "proxy" or "transfer of ownership" or "stock power" form (different names; same thing!), which is a standard template with a bunch of blanks that need to be filled-in (e.g., name of company shown on the stock; the serial number; all the owners' names; etc).

The proxy (or whatever you want to call it!) is "safer" than signing the actual stock certificate, because if you mess-up the "proxy", you can just tear it up, and fill-out another one! You can't do that with the stock certificate! After the proxy has been completed, signed, and/or notarized (see below), the broker applies his "medallion" to it (it shows that he's a licensed, qualified member of the SEC, and that he "guarantees" the stock, in case of fraud, etc; don't worry about that!), and then attaches the proxy to the certificate after the proxy has been signed. Make sure to get copies of both the certificate and the proxy before you leave the broker, especially if it's a different broker (i.e., who does not have a record of the original purchase) and/or *you* have no record of its original purchase!

You can get the proxy from any broker, some of whom may insist that you sign the back of the stock certificate, as, surprisingly, many are not even aware of SEC regulations concerning that! You are under NO legal obligation to sign the back of the stock certificate, so *insist* on getting the proxy! The links, below, show printable copies (they are slightly different from each other, but all are 100% perfectly acceptable to the SEC!).

You *may* need for all parties to sign the proxy (or certificate, whichever rocks your boat!) in front of a notary, of whom one may be found at most brokerages or similar financial institutions (if your broker doesn't have a notary, just go to any bank; the broker doesn't have to be present). However, most brokers don't require this, unless you fail to show adequate ID, or if none of the parties has an account with that broker (that's for the broker's protection as well as the owners).

Although the proxy may appear differently between brokers, it is, essentially, the same document; just make sure that it has only the name(s) that you want on it, not the broker's or agent's names!!! Common sense, right?

There is a hefty fee of about $50-$100 to re-register the stock, although your broker *may* waive it, if you meet certain qualifications (e.g., keep lots of $ with them; do a lot of trades that generate lots of commission; etc).

The last link shows some good, basic info, but keep in mind that it is from a transfer service, so don't mail the stock to them! Unless there is no broker near you, it is safer to re-register your stocks in person through a legitimate brokerage, if only to ensure that you have filled-out the proxy, correctly.

Answer 2

Contact the transfer agent. " 3. if you hold securities in your own name and want to transfer or sell them, you may need to get your signature "guaranteed" before a transfer agent will accept the transaction. For information about transferring your securities, please read "Signature Guarantees: Preventing the Unauthorized Transfer of Securities" in our Fast Answers databank. In many cases, you can find out which transfer agent a company uses by visiting the investor relations section of the company�s website. You also can use the �Search the TA Database� on the website of the Securities Transfer Association, a private trade organization of transfer agents."

Answer 3

Contact the transfer agent for the stock. Or call a broker. They can give you that information.