A dividend that is not encashed — because a warrant expired, a bank account changed or the shareholder passed away — first sits in the company's unpaid dividend account. If it stays unpaid for 7 years, the company must transfer it to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF). If dividends on a share stay unpaid for 7 consecutive years, the shares themselves move to IEPF too.
| Where the dividend is | How it is claimed |
|---|---|
| Still with the company (under 7 years) | Request to the company or its registrar (RTA) with updated KYC and bank details; paid electronically |
| Transferred to IEPF (7+ years) | Entitlement letter from the company, then online Form IEPF-5 with the IEPF Authority; no filing fee and no time limit |
Since October 2025 the IEPF Authority runs a new claim portal with pre-filled forms and has reported much faster processing, including a fast track for small claims. For many small, straightforward dividend claims you may not need professional help at all — we will tell you if that is the case.
Yes. There is no time limit for IEPF claims.
The new IEPF-5 form lets a claimant cover shares and dividends together, including multiple folios of one company.
The nominee or legal heirs, after transmission of the shares into their names. See claim without nominee.
Tell us what you have — a certificate, a passbook, a policy number, or just a name and a company. We will tell you, free of charge, which official route applies and whether you need help at all. WhatsApp or call +91 88829 91427 (10 AM – 7 PM, Monday to Saturday), or use the free case review form.
Expertvuw Management Pvt Ltd is a private company. We are not affiliated with or authorised by IEPFA, SEBI, RBI, IRDAI, EPFO, PFRDA, India Post 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.