If you have shares represented by old paper share certificates, you still own your shares. To avoid difficulty selling or transferring them — or receiving dividends — you need to convert them to electronic (Demat) form. We explain what physical shares are, the risks of holding them, and what you can do next.
Still your shares
Paper certificates remain valid ownership proof
Demat is safer
Electronic form avoids loss, delay & forgery risk
Guided support
We walk you through Demat and IEPF if needed
Physical shares are represented by paper certificates issued by the company that signify your ownership. Each certificate typically contains:
Before dematerialisation became the norm, most investors held shares in physical form.
Holding shares only on paper can create serious complications:
Bonus, splits, rights and other actions may be delayed — or not credited at all.
Physical shares can be difficult (or impossible) to sell or transfer smoothly.
Certificates can be lost, damaged, or exposed to forgery risk.
Unclaimed dividends may move to IEPF after 7 years, along with the shares.
Companies and RTAs may impose additional KYC and compliance requirements.
Converting to Demat removes these frictions and makes your holdings easier to manage, transfer and track.
You found share certificates at home or in a safety deposit box.
Shares are registered in the names of deceased parents or relatives.
Names or addresses on certificates no longer match your current KYC.
The folio has several shareholders with divergent signature styles.
Certificates are from merged, renamed, old or damaged company issues.
A clear path from paper certificates to electronic holdings:
Step 1
Gather all share certificates along with any dividend warrants or letters from the company or RTA.
Step 2
Ascertain whether dividends on these shares have been pending for years — a clue that IEPF transfer may apply.
Step 3
If you do not have one, open a Demat account with a SEBI-registered Depository Participant (DP).
Step 4
Complete and submit a Dematerialization Request Form (DRF) to your DP along with the physical certificates.
Step 5
Monitor the request until shares are credited to your Demat account.
Already transferred to IEPF?
If your shares or dividends have been transferred to IEPF, follow the IEPF claim process instead.
Share your details and documents. We will guide you through dematerialisation — and the IEPF claim process if required — step by step.
