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Documents Required for IEPF Claim in 2026: What Each Category Covers
The documents required for IEPF claim fall into five broad groups: who you are, what was held, what the company confirms, how you are entitled if the holder has died, and where the shares and money should go. The official route is free and many people handle simple claims themselves. Where files are old, names differ or heirs are involved, the papers are usually where a claim slows down.
An IEPF claim needs proof in five categories: the claimant's identity and KYC, proof that the shares or dividend were held, an entitlement letter from the company or its registrar, heirship proof if the original holder has died, and the claimant's own bank and demat details. Filing Form IEPF-5 is free and there is no time limit to claim.
Why the documents matter so much
Under the Companies Act (sections 124 and 125), a dividend unpaid for 7 years is transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF). If dividends on a share stay unpaid for 7 consecutive years, the shares move there too. Getting them back means proving, on paper, that you are the right person to receive them.
The IEPF Authority (IEPFA) does not decide on its own. The company first verifies the claim, and the IEPFA then decides. Each of them checks that the name, signature, holding and entitlement line up across every document you send.
The five categories of documents required for IEPF claim
| Category | What it proves | Where it usually comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and KYC of the claimant | That the claimant is a real, verifiable person | The claimant's own KYC records |
| Proof of holding | That shares or dividends were held in that folio or demat account | Old certificates, dividend papers, statements, company records |
| Entitlement from the company | That the company agrees these shares or amounts belong to the claimant | The company or its registrar (RTA) |
| Heirship proof (if the holder has died) | That the claimant is the nominee or rightful legal heir | Death and heirship papers, agreement of other heirs, court papers where needed |
| Bank and demat details | Where the dividend and shares should be credited | The claimant's own bank and demat account |
We deliberately describe categories rather than a full checklist. The exact list depends on the company, how the shares were held and what happened to the holder, and companies publish their own requirements.
What changed with the new IEPF-5 (October 2025)
A new Form IEPF-5 came into effect on 6 October 2025 (G.S.R. 733(E)). Alongside it, the IEPFA launched an integrated claims portal, announced in August 2025 and live from October 2025. At a high level:
- Pre-filled forms reduce the typing and re-typing of details.
- PAN and OTP verification make identity checks more digital.
- Multiple folios in one claim are now possible, which helps families with holdings spread across several folios.
- Filing through an authorised representative with an authority letter is recognised by the form, while the claimant stays the applicant.
The underlying need for clean, consistent documents has not changed. A faster form does not fix a name mismatch or a missing heir's consent.
Do you need help with this?
Yes. The official route through iepf.gov.in is free, there is no filing fee for IEPF-5, and the IEPFA runs free Niveshak Shivir investor camps and a helpline (14453). If the shares are in your own name, your details match and you still have your old papers, you can often complete the claim yourself.
Where documentation usually gets stuck
- The holder has died and there is no nominee, so heirs must establish entitlement and agree among themselves.
- Names or signatures differ between the certificate, bank records and current ID.
- Certificates are lost, or the family only has an old dividend warrant.
- The company has merged, so the holding now sits with a successor company under a swap ratio.
- Heirs live abroad and documents must be signed and attested outside India.
- Shares are still physical and the claimant has no demat account ready.
How Expertvuw helps, in broad stages
- Case review: we look at what the family holds and which category of documents is missing.
- Tracing and documents: we trace the folio, obtain company confirmation and prepare KYC, heirship and correction papers.
- Filing and follow-up: the claim is filed with you as the applicant, and we follow up with the company and the IEPFA.
- Credit: shares reach your demat account and dividends your bank account.
Why families work with Expertvuw
- A registered private company (Expertvuw Management Pvt Ltd) with offices in Dwarka, Delhi and Udyog Vihar, Gurugram.
- Pan-India and NRI clients, handled remotely with clear document instructions.
- One team for all assets: shares, dividends, deposits, insurance and funds.
- Plain-language updates at each stage, and careful document discipline.
We are not affiliated with or authorised by IEPFA, SEBI, the MCA or any company or registrar. You remain the applicant, and shares and money go only to your own demat and bank accounts.
When you need help with your IEPF claim
If you are unsure which documents apply to your case, or a claim has been returned for gaps, talk to us before filing again. Start with our IEPF claim services. If the holder has died, see legal heir share recovery and claiming without a nominee. For signature or name problems, see signature mismatch correction and name mismatch correction. Families abroad can use our NRI share recovery service, and anyone can book an initial case review.
Frequently asked questions
What are the documents required for IEPF claim in 2026?
They fall into five categories: the claimant's identity and KYC, proof of holding, an entitlement letter from the company or registrar, heirship proof if the holder has died, and the claimant's bank and demat details. The exact list varies by company and case, so check the company's published requirements before filing.
Is there a fee to file Form IEPF-5?
No. There is no filing fee for Form IEPF-5, and there is no time limit to claim shares or dividends from the IEPF. The official route through iepf.gov.in is free, and simple claims can be filed by the shareholder directly.
What is the entitlement letter for an IEPF claim?
It is a confirmation from the company or its registrar that the shares or dividend transferred to IEPF belong to the claimant. The company also e-verifies the claim after filing. Without the company's confirmation, the IEPF Authority cannot decide the claim.
What extra documents do legal heirs need?
Heirs need proof of the holder's death and proof that they are entitled, such as heirship papers and the agreement of other heirs. For higher values or disputes, court papers may be needed. Our legal heir share recovery page explains the route.
Do I need a demat account for an IEPF claim?
Yes, for shares. Shares refunded from the IEPF are credited in demat form to the claimant's own demat account, while dividends go to the claimant's bank account. If the family only ever held physical certificates, a demat account has to be opened first.
Can someone else file the IEPF claim for me?
The new IEPF-5 recognises filing through an authorised representative with an authority letter. The claimant still remains the applicant and the shares and money are paid only into the claimant's own accounts. Never share passwords or OTPs with anyone helping you.
What if my name on the share certificate is spelt differently?
A mismatch has to be explained or corrected before the company will confirm entitlement, usually with supporting identity documents and a declaration. Filing without fixing it is a common reason claims are sent back. See our page on name mismatch correction in share certificates for how this is handled.
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Expertvuw Management Pvt Ltd is a private company. We are not affiliated with or authorised by IEPFA, SEBI, RBI, IRDAI, EPFO, PFRDA, India Post, DICGC, the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies or any court. The official routes described on this page are free; our role is documentation, heirship paperwork and follow-up support. The claimant remains the applicant and all money is paid directly into the claimant's own account. Information is general and current as of the "last updated" date; rules change and each case differs. Last updated: 28 September 2026. Reviewed by: Expertvuw compliance team.