To determine the value of an old stock certificate, you will need to verify if the company is still active, the current (or most recent name) of the company and if its shares are still tradable.
Start by determining the company’s status
You will need to determine if the company is still in existence. Different resources are available to you. You can begin with a quick internet search on the company’s name.
If this doesn’t turn up any information, you may consult the corporate registry where the company was registered. You will find this information on the stock certificate, it will usually state“Incorporated under the laws of…”. For a list of provincial corporate registries,follow this link. If the company is federally incorporated,follow this linkto consult Corporations Canada’s search engine.
Certain organizations may, for a fee, perform this search for you. Please note that the CSA does not endorse the services of these companies.
The Financial Post
333 King Street East
Toronto, ON, M5A 4N2
Tel: (416) 442-2121; 1-800-661-7678
Email:helpdesk@infomart.com
www.fpinfomart.ca(click on “Predecessor & Defunct”)
Once you have determined that the company is still in existence and its current name, you will need to:
Consult our website and search SEDAR+ to find out if the company is under CTO. Followthis linkfor general information on CTOs.
If there are no active CTOs issued against the company, you may be able to trade your shares.
How to trade-in a stock certificate
If the share certificate is registered in your name, you have three options:
- Keep it in a safe place until you are ready to trade it
- Deposit the shares into an existing brokerage account
- Open a brokerage account and deposit the shares.
If the share certificate is not registered in your name, you can have it transferred to you. To do so, contact the company’s transfer agent (listed on the certificate) or the company directly.
Transfer agent and company contact information are available atwww.sedarplus.ca, the official site that provides access to most public securities documents and information filed by issuers with the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA).
On the company’s profile page, their address, a contact person as well as the transfer agent will be listed. Contact information for many transfer agents in Canada is available onThe Securities Transfer Association of Canadawebsite.
Scripophily
If the company is no longer in existence, the share certificate itself might still have some value to a collector. Share certificates are collected by scripophily enthusiasts for their historical significance and/or for their artwork and intricate engraving.
Consult one of the many scripophily resources available on the internet to find out more. Please note that the CSA does not endorse any specific scripophily website.
FAQs
Certificate holders who have a brokerage account may want to ask their broker if they can assist in researching the certificate. Other research resources may be found on the Internet, at public libraries, stock exchanges, or stockbrokers' offices.
How do I find the value of old share certificates? ›
The easiest way is to contact the company and ask it directly. You can usually find the number of the company or the name of the transfer agent on the company's website; generally, publicly listed corporations have an investor-relations link on their sites.
Are old share certificates still valid? ›
In most cases, share certificates will remain valid until the shareholdings are sold or transferred. However, if the company merges or gets sold, the certificates may become invalid. If the company is known, the relevant share registrar can be contacted to check if the Deceased's share certificates are still valid.
How do I cash in old paper stock certificates? ›
In order to cash in the stock, you need to fill out the transfer form on the back of the certificate and have it notarized. Once complete, send the notarized certificate to the transfer agent, who will register the stock to you as owner.
Are old cancelled stock certificates worth anything? ›
What if the company no longer exists? If this happens, chances are that the certificate has no value as a security, but there is a chance that the certificate is worth something as a collectible.
How do I find the past value of a stock? ›
Online brokerage sites such as eTrade and TD Ameritrade or apps like Robinhood will have both real-time and historical quote data for customers and usually limited access for non-customers as well. Financial websites like Motley Fool or Google Finance will also provide quote information for both stocks and indices.
What happens to unclaimed stock certificates? ›
California law requires corporations, businesses, associations, financial institutions, and insurance companies (referred to as “holders”) to annually report and deliver property to the State Controller's Office if there has been no activity on the account or contact with the owner for a specified period of time ( ...
How do you find the value of a common stock certificate? ›
Contact a local stockbroker or banker to determine if the stock certificate has value.
How to find old share certificates? ›
Steps to be taken by shareholders
Lodge a police complaint and submit a copy of the FIR mentioning folio number, share certificate(s), unit name, distinctive number(s), and the number of lost shares in original or attested by Notary/Gazette Officer. Once all the documents are ready, submit them to the company.
Do stock certificates ever expire? ›
Stock certificates do not expire.
To verify the physical share certificate, visit bseindia.com and enter the company name or ISIN. If the face value on the certificate does not match the current face value, clients should contact the Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTA) to obtain an updated certificate.
How do I trace old shares? ›
Again, you'll need to start by contacting the company's share registrar, if you know the company name. You might have previously heard of the Unclaimed Assets Register – a database that helped locate lost assets in bank accounts, pensions and investments – and it would have been your first port of call.
How to find if old stock certificates are worth anything? ›
Search for unclaimed property on Department of Revenue website. There are many resources on the internet. Some resources will trace the history of stock certificates and companies to determine whether or not the stock certificate has any value. Some resources provide research services for a fee.
How to sell paper stock certificates in Canada? ›
If you have a share certificate and you would like to sell your shares, you must deliver the certificate, together with any other required documents, to your broker and arrange for your broker to sell your shares. If you do not have an account with a broker, you will have to open one.
Where to sell old stock certificates? ›
You can contact any stock broker and request that they sell your stock certificate for you. However, if you do not already have an account with that broker, they will likely charge you a hefty fee.
How to check if old share certificates are still valid? ›
Search for unclaimed property on Department of Revenue website. There are many resources on the internet. Some resources will trace the history of stock certificates and companies to determine whether or not the stock certificate has any value. Some resources provide research services for a fee.
