Paper certificates, converted to shares you can actually use.
On 1 April 2019 SEBI barred the transfer of physical shares of listed companies, so demat became mandatory for anyone who wants to sell. If you still hold paper certificates, we guide them through dematerialisation and fix the record problems that usually cause delay.
Does this sound like your situation?
- You hold old paper certificates and want to sell or transfer them
- The certificates are in a company's old name
- You want dividends and bonus shares to reach you again
- The certificates came to you from a parent or grandparent
- You are unsure whether the company still exists
How the recovery works
Check the certificates
We look at the certificates, the company's present status, and whether the holding is realistically worth converting.
Open or choose a demat account
If you do not have one, we explain how to open it with a SEBI-registered depository participant. (Swasam Investments will do this for you)
Submit the demat request
The Dematerialisation Request Form and the original certificates go to your depository participant. (Swasam Investments will do this for you)
Registrar verification
The registrar checks the certificates, KYC and signature against its records. We resolve any mismatch. (Swasam Investments will do this for you)
Shares appear in electronic form
You see the credit in your own demat account. (Swasam Investments sees it through to the end)
Papers usually needed
- Original share certificates
- Demat account details and client master report
- Dematerialisation Request Form
- PAN, ID and address proof
- Signature specimen matching the register
- Name change or signature proof, if records differ
- Cancelled cheque and bank details
Requirements vary by company and registrar. We confirm the final list for your case before you gather anything.
Where cases get complicated
Signature does not match
Old signatures on file differ from today's. We prepare the attestation or affidavit the registrar needs.
Name differs from the certificate
Marriage, initials or spelling can differ. See our name and signature correction service.
Company merged or renamed
We locate the current registrar and the present name and ISIN of the company.
Delisted or suspended company
Some holdings have limited trading value. We tell you what the holding is realistically worth before you spend.
What Swasam Investments does for you
- We screen firstSo you know what the holding is worth before any fee.
- We prepare the requestThe DRF, KYC and supporting affidavits.
- We coordinateDepository participant and registrar.
- We close the loopUntil the shares are visible in your account.
Questions about this
Can I still sell physical certificates?
Not directly. Since 1 April 2019 transfer of physical shares of listed companies is not permitted, so they must be dematerialised first.
Do I need a demat account?
Yes. Dematerialised shares are held in a demat account in your name.
Is an old certificate worthless?
Not necessarily. Value depends on the company's present status. We check before you commit to the process.
You may also need
Name or signature mismatch correction
The name or signature on the certificate does not match your records. We prepare the fix.
Lost or damaged certificates
Torn, burnt, water-damaged or simply gone. We arrange the duplicate and the paperwork behind it.
IEPF shares and dividend claims
Shares and dividends moved to the government's IEPF can be claimed back. We run the process.
Found an old certificate? Check it before you do anything else.
Call Swasam Investments for the status and value of your shares, or send the details and we will call you.