How to Change Stock Ownership | The Motley Fool (2024)

Transferring shares can be easy or hard depending on how you own your stock.

Stock investors typically focus on how to buy or sell shares of the stocks they own. Yet from time to time, you might want to make gifts of stock, either to family members, charities, or other people or institutions. The process of changing stock ownership is more complex than simply giving someone a piece of paper, and depending on how you own your shares, you'll need to follow a different process to complete your gift or transfer.

Three ways to own stock
There are three different ways you can hold shares of stock. Most people who have brokerage accounts hold shares in street name, meaning that the broker they use is the official registered owner of the shares. Your stock is allocated to you internally within the broker's operational records, but as far as the company whose shares you own is concerned, ownership remains with your broker. That means that you'll have to work with your broker to change stock ownership. For help choosing a broker for this, visit our broker center to compare what's available.

Alternatively, there are two situations in which you will be recognized as the official owner of your stock. If you hold paper stock certificates, your name will be reflected in the company's own records. Alternatively, some companies allow you to register shares directly, especially if the company offers a direct reinvestment investing plan. Either way, you'll work directly with the company's transfer agent to change stock ownership.

The process of changing stock ownership
If you own stock in street name, then you can work with your broker to change the ownership of some or all of your shares. Contact your broker to get the appropriate forms to complete. The process will be simpler if the new owner also has or will have an account with the same broker, because no change in the actual registration of the shares will be necessary. The broker will simply make the transfer on its own internal books. If you transfer shares outside your broker, you'll need a broker-to-broker transfer form, and your current broker will need instructions on how to make the transfer to the receiving broker.

If you have a stock certificate or have your shares registered directly, then the transfer process will involve the company's transfer agent. You can find out who your company's transfer agent is by contacting its investor relations department. Then, the transfer agent will have you send in any paper stock certificates you have, along with a letter of instruction to instruct it on how to change the ownership of the stock. You'll typically need to get a signature guarantee from a financial institution to satisfy the transfer agent, and you might also need other legal documents granting you authority to change ownership.

Giving shares of stock isn't as simple as giving cash, but it can be a better way to give both for you and for your intended recipient. With help, you can navigate the process of changing stock ownership the way you want.

This article is part of The Motley Fool's Knowledge Center, which was created based on the collected wisdom of a fantastic community of investors. We'd love to hear your questions, thoughts, and opinions on the Knowledge Center in general or this page in particular. Your input will help us help the world invest, better! Email us at[emailprotected]. Thanks -- and Fool on!

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How to Change Stock Ownership | The Motley Fool (2024)

FAQs

How to Change Stock Ownership | The Motley Fool? ›

The process of changing stock ownership

How do you change the ownership of shares? ›

A stock transfer form must describe any value being paid for the shares, identify the buyer and seller, and describe the amount and type of shares being sold. It must be signed by the seller. A share certificate. This document is given to the new shareholder to evidence that person's share ownership.

Can you transfer stock ownership to another person? ›

People can transfer shares of stock they already own to others, or purchase new stocks and transfer ownership to a recipient of their choice. Givers can gift shares of stock they already own by transferring them to a recipient's account.

Can I change the ownership of a brokerage account? ›

You can change account type or ownership at the time of the transfer, but this may delay the transfer. You may need to provide documents proving changes to ownership, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate.

How do I transfer stocks from one account to another? ›

How do I transfer my stocks from one broker to another? Start by filling out a transfer form for your new brokerage. You can typically find these on the website, but you can also call them for instructions. It can take about six business days for stocks to transfer, but mismatched records can make things take longer.

How do I transfer shares from one owner to another? ›

Step 1: Fill out the DIS (Delivery Instruction Slip) and give it to your broker. Step 2: The broker sends your request to the depository. Step 3: The Depository moves your shares to your new Demat account. Step 4: Your new Demat account shows all your shares after the transfer is done.

Can shares be transferred to someone else? ›

Shares are like any other form of property, they can be transferred between individuals at any time. This can be done because of several reasons: The shareholder has died. They are trying to recoup investment.

How do I change the ownership of a stock? ›

Contact your broker to get the appropriate forms to complete. The process will be simpler if the new owner also has or will have an account with the same broker, because no change in the actual registration of the shares will be necessary. The broker will simply make the transfer on its own internal books.

How do I transfer ownership of shares to another person? ›

buyer and seller must sign a share transfer form; company must issue a new share certificate to the buyer; seller of the shares must destroy its old share certificates; and. company must record in its members register that the shares are transferred.

Can I transfer shares to my wife without tax implications? ›

Whilst transferring shares to your spouse or civil partner is unlikely to trigger a Capital Gains Tax liability, your other half may have to pay dividend tax on the dividend income they receive from the company.

How do I transfer stock to my surviving spouse? ›

You'll probably need to fill out a form and provide a copy of the death certificate. The brokerage company will then register the account in the survivor's name. Your shares can pass directly to the co-owner without going through probate.

How much does it cost to transfer stocks from one broker to another? ›

Many brokers charge a fee when you transfer brokerage account assets. The typical fee ranges from about $50 to $100, but not every broker has an account transfer fee. The only way to know how much your old broker charges is to check its list of fees or contact customer service.

How do I transfer my brokerage account to a family member? ›

Giving stocks to family members involves several steps. First, you need to consider the number of shares you want to give. Next, contact your brokerage firm to begin the transfer, which likely requires filling out a gift transfer form and providing the recipient's brokerage account information.

How do I transfer stocks to a friend? ›

To learn how to gift securities, follow these steps:
  1. Log in to kite.zerodha.com.
  2. Click on Holdings.
  3. Hover over the security to be gifted and click on Options.
  4. Click on Send as a gift.
  5. Enter the gift receiver's name, mobile number, email address (optional), and gift message (optional).
  6. Click on Continue.

Is Charles Schwab or Fidelity better? ›

Fidelity is generally better for lower account balances (accounts less than $25,000) and direct crypto exposure. Charles Schwab is better for higher balances and offers a more comprehensive selection of advanced charting tools like the thinkorswim platform.

Can I transfer one stock to another without paying taxes? ›

You and other investors who want to avoid paying tax on stocks that have appreciated, will “sell” (in actuality contribute) and reinvest, through a swap. This process involves swapping your appreciated shares for a diversified portfolio of stocks of equivalent value, effectively deferring capital gains tax.

Can you transfer ownership of shares? ›

The ownership of shares can be transferred by selling and buying shares.

Can you change a shareholder? ›

To appoint new shareholders, you need to issue new shares to the individual, or transfer or sell existing shares owned by a current shareholder to the individual. Transfer existing shares: Complete a stock transfer form.

Can I transfer my company shares to my son? ›

There is nothing to prevent shareholders from gifting shares to their children, regardless of their age. There are, however, various tax implications in doing so. If your children are over 18, they will be taxed on any dividends they receive.

How do I transfer ownership of physical shares? ›

Share transfer in physical mode is executed with the help of Form ” SH-4″.
  1. Acknowledgement. Some companies send a notice or acknowledgement of the instrument to the transferor who has lodged a transfer with the company before the documents are scrutinized. ...
  2. Scrutiny. ...
  3. Approval. ...
  4. Registration. ...
  5. Delivery of Share Certificate.
Dec 14, 2019

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