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Duplicate Share Certificate Specialists — Pan-India Service

Lost Your Share Certificates ? The Shares Are Still Yours — We Will Get the Certificate Back.

Q: Is an FIR mandatory for obtaining a duplicate share certificate?

This is one of the most important steps in Lost Share Certificate Recovery cases. An FIR from the local police station is a standard requirement across most listed companies and RTAs as part of the indemnity documentation. For damaged certificates that are being surrendered, some companies may accept a damage affidavit in lieu of an FIR — but this varies by company. We advise on the exact requirements for your specific company after the free consultation.

Q: How long does the duplicate share certificate process take?

For standard lost certificate cases handled through our Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery Services: 45 to 75 days from the date all documents are ready. For damaged certificate cases where the original is surrendered: 30 to 60 days. For deceased holder cases requiring transmission before or after duplicate issuance: 3 to 5 months. For cases where IEPF recovery is also required: 8 to 12 months in total.

End-to-end Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery — FIR filing, notarised affidavit, indemnity bond, newspaper publication, and complete RTA application managed by certified professionals. Your shareholding is protected.

All Listed Companies Covered

99% Success Rate

CS-Led Expert Team

Pan-India & NRI Support

Cases Handled

0 +

Wealth Recovered

₹ 0 +

Success Rate

0 %

Avg. Completion Time

0 Days

Is Your Case Claimable?

Get a free eligibility assessment within 2 business hours. Our IEPF specialist will verify your case on the MCA portal and tell you exactly what is recoverable, what documents you need, and what the realistic timeline looks like.

🔒 Strictly confidential. No charges for assessment. No obligation to proceed.

Understanding Duplicate Share Certificates

A Lost Share Certificate Does Not Mean Lost Shares

A share certificate is a document that evidences ownership of shares — but it is not ownership itself. The legal ownership of shares is recorded in the company’s register of members and the RTA’s folio records. Losing the physical certificate does not extinguish your ownership. Our Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery Services are designed for shareholders who need to recover lost, damaged, stolen, or misplaced certificates before dematerialisation, transmission, or IEPF recovery.

However, a lost, damaged, or stolen share certificate does create a significant practical problem. Without the original certificate, you cannot dematerialise your shares, transmit them to legal heirs, sell them, or use them as collateral. Until a duplicate certificate is issued through proper Lost Share Certificate Recovery procedures, your shareholding is effectively frozen.

The Companies Act 2013 and SEBI regulations provide a defined legal process for obtaining a duplicate share certificate. This process involves filing an FIR with the police, executing a notarised affidavit and indemnity bond, publishing a public notice in newspapers, and submitting a formal application to the company’s registrar or RTA.

The process is straightforward when managed correctly — but errors at any stage, or incomplete documentation, result in rejection and significant delays. Our Duplicate Share Certificate Assistance team manages every step on your behalf.

⚠️ Act Promptly — Why Speed Matters

Stop Payment Request

As soon as a share certificate is discovered missing, a stop transfer notice should be filed with the company’s RTA. This prevents any fraudulent transfer of the shares using the lost certificate during the duplicate issuance process.

We file the stop transfer notice on your behalf as the first action in the duplicate certificate process — before any other step is taken.

IEPF Risk

If dividends on the lost certificate’s shares have been going unclaimed due to outdated address or bank records, an IEPF transfer may already be underway. We check this simultaneously as part of our Duplicate Share Certificate for Share Recovery process and advise accordingly.

Our Services

What We Handle for You

From IEPF-5 filing to share transmission after death — our services cover every dimension of investor wealth recovery under one specialist team.

What it is IEPF-5 Claim Filing

IEPF-5 is the government-mandated form for claiming a refund of shares and dividends transferred to the IEPF Authority. Filing is done on the MCA21 portal and requires a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) from the claimant. Errors in this form — wrong Nodal Officer details, PAN mismatch, incorrect share quantity, missing Indemnity Bond — result in outright rejection with no recourse except re-filing after six to eight months.

Who Needs This

Original shareholder whose shares were transferred to IEPF due to 7 years of unclaimed dividends
Legal heir of a deceased shareholder whose portfolio was transferred to IEPF
NRIs with ancestral or inherited shares now held by the IEPF Authority
Investors who received a rejection notice from IEPF on a prior self-filed IEPF-5

What We Do — Step by Step

1 Portfolio Audit & IEPF Verification

We cross-check the MCA IEPF portal, RTA records, and company websites to confirm which shares and dividend amounts have been transferred and in what quantities.

2 Document Collection & KYC Alignment

We prepare a tailored document checklist. We then perform critical KYC pre-alignment — verifying your current data matches RTA records exactly. This step prevents the most common cause of IEPF claim rejection.

3 IEPF-5 Preparation & DSC Arrangement

We prepare the IEPF-5 form with complete accuracy, coordinate DSC procurement if required, and prepare the Indemnity Bond and Advance Receipt.

4 Filing on MCA21 Portal

Submission is done under expert supervision. A Service Request Number (SRN) is generated as your unique claim reference. Physical document submission to the company’s Nodal Officer is coordinated simultaneously.

5 Follow-up with Nodal Officer & IEPF Authority

We track your claim through company verification, IEPF Authority verification, and MCA approval stages — providing regular status updates throughout.

Typical Timeframe

6–12 months (govt. processing dependent)

Key Risk

KYC mismatch / incorrect Nodal Officer details

What it is — Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery

A lost, stolen, or damaged share certificate does not mean lost shares — but it does mean the shares are frozen. They cannot be sold, transferred, or dematerialised until a duplicate certificate is issued by the company through a defined legal process. This process requires an FIR, a notarised affidavit, an indemnity bond, newspaper publication, and a formal application to the company’s RTA. A stop transfer notice must also be filed immediately to prevent any fraudulent transfer while the process is underway.

Who Needs This

Shareholders who have lost or cannot locate their original physical share certificate
Shareholders whose certificate was stolen — requiring an FIR for theft specifically
Shareholders whose certificate is damaged, torn, water-damaged, or partially destroyed
Legal heirs of a deceased shareholder who cannot find the certificates during estate settlement

What We Do — Step by Step

1 Stop Transfer Notice — Filed on Day 1

We immediately file a stop transfer notice with the company’s RTA to protect your shares from fraudulent transfer while the duplicate process is underway. This step is done before anything else.

2 FIR Filing at Local Police Station

We prepare the FIR draft with all required details — certificate number, folio number, company name, number of shares, and circumstances of loss — and guide you through the filing process at the correct police station.

3 Notarised Affidavit & Indemnity Bond

We draft and arrange notarisation of the affidavit of loss and the indemnity bond, indemnifying the company against any future claim arising from the lost certificate. Format varies by company — we prepare it correctly.

4 Newspaper Publication

We arrange publication of a public loss notice in two newspapers — one English national paper and one vernacular state paper — simultaneously, and obtain published copies for the RTA submission package.

5 RTA Application & Follow-Up

We compile the complete document package and submit the formal duplicate certificate application to the company’s RTA or registrar. We follow up until the duplicate certificate is issued and physically verified.

Typical Timeframe

45–75 days (standard lost certificate cases)

NEXT STEP

Dematerialisation of the duplicate certificate

What it is — Share Transmission After Death

When a shareholder passes away, their shares do not transfer to family members automatically. The legal process — called transmission of shares — must be formally applied for by the heir or registered nominee. Until transmission is completed, no one can sell, transfer, or dematerialise the deceased’s shares. The documentation required depends on whether a nominee was registered, whether a will exists, and whether shares are held in demat or physical form.

Who Needs This

Legal heirs or nominees of a deceased shareholder seeking to transfer shares to their name
Families where no nominee was registered and a succession certificate is required
Cases where the deceased held shares in physical certificate form requiring RTA coordination
NRI legal heirs managing the inheritance of Indian shareholdings from abroad

What We Do — Step by Step

1 Case Assessment & Pathway Determination

We identify which of four transmission scenarios applies: nominee + demat shares, nominee + physical shares, no nominee (legal heir cert), or no nominee + shares already transferred to IEPF. Each has a different process and timeline.

2 Legal Heir or Succession Certificate Coordination

For no-nominee cases, we initiate the succession certificate or legal heir certificate process simultaneously with document collection — through the correct revenue authority or civil court for the deceased’s state of residence.

3 Document Preparation & RTA-Specific Formatting

We prepare the complete transmission request in the exact format required by the specific RTA — KFintech, Link Intime, Alankit, Bigshare, or Cameo — each has different requirements. Incorrect formats cause rejections.

4 RTA Submission & Certificate Surrender

We submit the full transmission request with all supporting documents. For physical certificate cases, original certificates are surrendered to the RTA at this stage as part of the process.

5 RTA Processing & Demat Credit Confirmation

We follow up with the RTA through to approval and confirm shares are credited to the heir’s demat account. If any shares have also been transferred to IEPF, we manage that IEPF-5 filing in parallel.

Typical Timeframe

30–60 days (nominee + demat) · 3–6 months (no nominee)

KEY RISK

Wrong succession document / submission in incorrect RTA format

What it is — Unclaimed Dividend Recovery

Dividends declared by a listed company but not credited to the shareholder accumulate as unclaimed amounts. Dividends held by the company for fewer than seven years can be claimed directly from the company without filing an IEPF-5. Once the seven-year threshold is crossed, both the dividend amounts and the corresponding shares are transferred to IEPF and require a formal claim. Outdated bank mandates, address changes, and unlinked PAN are the most common causes of unclaimed dividends.

Who Needs This

Shareholders whose dividend credits have stopped due to a changed, closed, or merged bank account
Investors whose registered address with the RTA is outdated, causing dividend warrants to be returned
Shareholders whose PAN is not linked to the folio — triggering a SEBI-mandated dividend freeze
Legal heirs managing a deceased investor’s portfolio where years of dividends were never received

What We Do — Step by Step

1 Dividend Status Trace

We check the MCA IEPF portal, the company’s published unclaimed dividend list, and the RTA folio records to determine whether dividends are still held by the company or have already been transferred to IEPF.

2 KYC & Bank Mandate Update (Pre-IEPF Cases)

For dividends still held by the company, we update the bank mandate and address with the RTA in the correct format for each specific RTA — restoring dividend flow and enabling recovery of accumulated unpaid amounts.

3 Direct Company Claim (Dividends Under 7 Years)

Where dividends are in the company’s unpaid dividend account and have not yet reached the 7-year IEPF threshold, we submit a direct dividend recovery application to the company with updated banking details.

4 IEPF-5 Filing (Dividends Over 7 Years)

Where dividends have already been transferred to IEPF, we file the IEPF-5 form on the MCA21 portal. The dividend recovery component is included in the same claim as any share recovery — one coordinated filing.

5 Credit Confirmation & Mandate Activation

We verify that recovered dividend amounts are credited to the correct account — NRO/NRE for NRI clients, standard bank for resident Indians — and confirm the dividend mandate is updated to ensure future dividends arrive correctly.

Typical Timeframe

30–90 days (pre-IEPF) · 6–12 months (post-IEPF transfer)

Key Risk

Unlinked PAN / outdated bank mandate causing continued dividend failure

What it is — Legal Heir IEPF Claims

When a shareholder passes away and their shares have been transferred to IEPF, the legal heir cannot file a standard IEPF-5 claim alone. They must first formally establish their legal right to the assets through a legal heir certificate (from a revenue authority) or a succession certificate (from a civil court) — and then combine that documentation with the IEPF-5 filing. This combined process is more complex, takes longer, and requires specific legal documentation that varies by state.

Who Needs This

Legal heirs of a deceased shareholder whose shares and dividends have been transferred to IEPF
Families where no nominee was registered and a civil court succession certificate is required
NRI legal heirs inheriting Indian shares where both succession documentation and IEPF filing are needed
Cases where a prior IEPF heir claim was rejected due to incorrect or missing succession documentation

What We Do — Step by Step

1 Case Assessment & Legal Document Determination

We assess whether a legal heir certificate (revenue authority, 15–45 days) or succession certificate (civil court, 3–6 months) is required — based on your state, the value of assets, and the specific RTA’s or IEPF Authority’s requirements.

2 Succession or Legal Heir Certificate Process

We manage the entire legal documentation process — petition drafting, court filing, public notice publication, and hearing coordination — through our legal panel across all Indian states. No separate lawyer engagement needed.

3 IEPF-5 Preparation in Parallel

While succession documentation is being processed, we simultaneously prepare the IEPF-5 form, perform KYC pre-alignment with RTA records, and assemble the complete document package — so filing happens immediately when the certificate is issued.

4 Combined Filing — IEPF-5 + Succession Documents

We submit the IEPF-5 on the MCA21 portal together with the succession certificate, death certificate, heir identity proof, and all required indemnity documentation — as a single coordinated package to the Nodal Officer.

5 IEPF Authority Follow-Up & Demat Credit

We track the claim through company-level verification and IEPF Authority review — escalating via SEBI SCORES where statutory timelines are exceeded — through to final confirmation of shares credited to the heir’s demat account.

Typical Timeframe

9–15 months (includes succession certificate process)

Requires

Legal heir certificate or succession certificate

Not sure where to begin? Talk to an IEPF specialist.

Who Needs This Service

When Is a Duplicate Share Certificate Required?

Identify your situation below to understand the specific Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery Services process and timeline that applies to your case.

Certificate Lost — Unknown Location

This is the most common Lost Share Certificate Recovery scenario handled by our team. The original share certificate cannot be located — it may have been misplaced during a house move, lost in transit, or simply not found despite a thorough search. The shareholder is certain they once held the certificate but cannot produce it.

Process required: FIR + Affidavit + Indemnity Bond + Newspaper Publication + RTA Application

Typical Timeline: 45–75 days

Certificate Stolen

Where there is evidence or reasonable belief that the certificate has been stolen, an FIR must be filed specifically for theft — rather than a general loss complaint. This FIR forms a critical part of the indemnity documentation.

Process required: Theft FIR + Affidavit + Indemnity Bond + Surety Letter + Newspaper Publication + RTA Application

Typical Timeline: 45–75 days

Additional step: Stop transfer notice filed immediately

Certificate Damaged — Torn, Water-Damaged, or Partially Destroyed

Where the original certificate exists but is so damaged that it cannot be processed — torn beyond recognition, water-damaged, burnt, or otherwise physically destroyed. The damaged certificate must be surrendered to the company along with the duplicate issuance application.

Process required: Affidavit explaining circumstances of damage + Indemnity Bond + Surrender of damaged certificate + RTA Application

Note: An FIR is not required in all cases of damage — depends on RTA requirements.

Typical Timeline: 30–60 days

Certificate of a Deceased Shareholder — Lost Before Transmission

Where a deceased shareholder's certificate cannot be located during estate settlement, our Physical Share Certificate Recovery team manages both duplicate issuance and transmission together. The legal heir needs both a duplicate certificate — in the deceased's name — and then a transmission of that certificate into the heir's name.

Process required: Duplicate issuance (with legal heir’s indemnity) + Transmission process

Typical Timeline: 3–5 months (both processes combined)

Certificate Lost and Shares Already Transferred to IEPF

This is one of the most complex Duplicate Share Certificate for Share Recovery cases because it involves both duplicate issuance and IEPF recovery. Recovery requires the duplicate certificate process, followed by an IEPF-5 claim.

Process required: Duplicate issuance + IEPF-5 filing

Typical Timeline: 8–12 months (both processes combined)

NRI — Certificate Lost or Not Received

For NRI shareholders whose certificate was never received after purchase, or was lost while living abroad. All documentation can be coordinated remotely with apostilled or notarised documents. Our Duplicate Share Certificate Assistance team coordinates the complete process remotely for NRI shareholders.

Process required: Same as above with apostilled affidavit and indemnity bond

Typical Timeline: 60–90 days

Our Process

How Duplicate Share Certificate Issuance Works — Step by Step

The Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery process involves six distinct steps. Every step must be completed correctly and in the right sequence — a single error or missing document results in rejection. We manage every step on your behalf.

Stop Transfer Notice — Immediate Action

The very first action is filing a stop transfer notice with the company's RTA. This prevents any fraudulent transfer or transaction involving the lost certificate while the duplicate issuance process is underway.

We file the stop transfer notice on the same day we take on your case as part of our Lost Share Certificate Recovery workflow.

What we do:

Identify the correct RTA for the company
Prepare and submit the stop transfer request with supporting identity proof
Obtain written acknowledgement from the RTA

FIR Filing at Local Police Station

A First Information Report (FIR) must be filed at the police station in the jurisdiction where the certificate was lost or last held. The FIR serves as official documentation of the loss and forms a core part of the indemnity package submitted to the company. Our Duplicate Share Certificate Assistance team prepares the FIR draft with all mandatory details required by the RTA.

What we do:

Advise on the correct police station jurisdiction
Prepare the FIR draft with all required details — certificate number, folio number, company name, number of shares, and circumstances of loss
Guide you through the FIR filing process
Obtain a certified copy of the FIR for the RTA submission package

Notarised Affidavit Preparation

A notarised affidavit must be executed by the shareholder — or the legal heir in deceased holder cases — confirming the loss of the certificate, the circumstances under which it was lost, and affirming that the certificate has not been sold, pledged, or transferred to any third party.

What we do:

Draft the affidavit in the format required by the specific company and RTA
Arrange notarisation
Verify the affidavit is correctly dated and executed before inclusion in the submission package

Indemnity Bond and Surety Letter

An indemnity bond must be executed by the shareholder indemnifying the company against any future claim arising from the lost certificate. Some companies additionally require a surety letter from a guarantor — typically a person of financial standing who agrees to indemnify the company alongside the shareholder. We verify the bond value is correctly calculated based on the current market value of the shares and aligned with Duplicate Share Certificate for Share Recovery requirements.

What we do:

Prepare the indemnity bond in the exact format required by the company
Arrange notarisation of the bond
Advise on surety requirements for the specific company and assist with surety letter preparation where required
Verify the bond value is correctly calculated based on the current market value of the shares

Newspaper Publication

A public notice of the lost certificate must be published in two newspapers — typically one English-language national newspaper and one vernacular newspaper in the state where the shareholder resides. After publication, most companies require a waiting period of 15 days before processing the duplicate certificate application — to allow any objections to be raised.

What we do:

Identify the correct newspapers as per the company’s requirements
Draft the newspaper notice in the required format
Arrange publication in both newspapers simultaneously
Obtain published newspaper copies as proof of publication for the RTA submission

Formal Application to Company / RTA

Once the newspaper waiting period has elapsed, we submit the complete duplicate certificate application to the company's registrar or RTA. The application includes all documents prepared in the preceding steps — the FIR copy, notarised affidavit, indemnity bond, surety letter, newspaper publication proof, and identity documents. We follow up at regular intervals through to issuance of the duplicate certificate as part of our end-to-end Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery process.

What we do:

Prepare the covering application letter in the required format
Compile the complete document package
Submit to the correct RTA address with acknowledgement tracking
Follow up at regular intervals through to issuance of the duplicate certificate
Respond to any queries or deficiency notices from the RTA within 48 hours

Receipt of Duplicate Certificate

The company issues the duplicate certificate endorsed as "Duplicate" — physically identical to the original except for this endorsement. The duplicate certificate has the same legal standing as the original for all purposes including dematerialisation, transmission, and pledging. We also advise on next steps — typically dematerialisation and Physical Share Certificate Recovery support after issuance.

What we do:

Verify that the duplicate certificate details — certificate number, folio number, share quantity, shareholder name — are accurate
Confirm receipt and provide you with complete documentation
Advise on next steps — typically dematerialisation of the duplicate certificate

Process Stage	Estimated Timeline
Stop Transfer Notice	Day 1
FIR Filing	Day 1–3
Affidavit Preparation	Day 3–5
Indemnity Bond Preparation	Day 5–10
Newspaper Publication	Day 10–25
Waiting Period After Publication	15 days (mandatory)
RTA Application Submission	Day 25–45
RTA Processing & Issuance	Day 45–75
Total Expected Timeline	45–75 days (standard cases)
Complex / High-Value Cases	75–90 days

Next Steps After Issuance

What Happens After the Duplicate Certificate Is Issued?

Obtaining the duplicate share certificate is an important milestone in the overall Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery process — but for most clients it is not the final step. Once the duplicate certificate is in hand, the next action depends on your specific situation.

Dematerialisation — Convert to Demat Form

SEBI regulations require that all share transactions — sales, transfers, pledges — be conducted through demat shares. A duplicate certificate in physical form must be dematerialised before the shares can be sold or transferred. We initiate dematerialisation immediately after issuance under our integrated Physical Share Certificate Recovery workflow — so both steps are completed as efficiently as possible.

Timeline after duplicate issuance: 6–10 weeks

Transmission — If the Original Holder Is Deceased

This is a common requirement in Duplicate Share Certificate for Share Recovery matters involving deceased shareholders. Where the duplicate certificate is being obtained for a deceased shareholder's estate, transmission must be initiated after issuance — transferring the certificate into the legal heir's name before dematerialisation can proceed.

Timeline after duplicate issuance: 2–4 months (transmission) + 6–10 weeks (demat)

IEPF Recovery — If Dividends Have Been Transferred

If dividends on the shares were being paid but have been going unclaimed — and have now been transferred to IEPF — the duplicate certificate enables the IEPF-5 claim to proceed. We initiate the IEPF Claim process simultaneously where applicable as part of our Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery support.

Timeline after duplicate issuance: 6–12 months (IEPF recovery)

Dividend Mandate Update — Restore Dividend Flow

After the duplicate certificate is issued and dematerialisation is complete, the bank mandate and address registered with the RTA should be updated to ensure future dividends are credited correctly. We handle the bank mandate update as part of the post-dematerialisation process.

Timeline: 2–3 weeks after demat completion

Documents Required

Complete Document Reference for Duplicate Certificate Issuance

The exact documents required vary by company and RTA. Our Duplicate Share Certificate Assistance team will provide a personalised checklist after the free consultation.

Identity Documents

All Cases

Certificate & Shareholding Records

All Cases

Loss / Damage Documentation

Prepared by Expertvuw

FIR Copy (Certified)
Filed at the local police station confirming loss or theft of the certificate.
Notarised Affidavit of Loss
Executed by the shareholder confirming circumstances of loss and absence of any encumbrance on the certificate.
Indemnity Bond (Notarised)
Indemnifying the company against any future claim arising from the lost certificate.
Surety Letter (where required)
From a guarantor — required by some companies for higher-value certificates.
Newspaper Publication Proof
Published copies of the loss notice from two newspapers — one English national, one vernacular state paper.

Deceased Holder Cases

Additional Documents

NRI Cases

Additional Documents

Why Expertvuw

Why Choose Expertvuw for Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery Services

We File the Stop Transfer Notice First

Before any other step — before the FIR, before the affidavit — we file a stop transfer notice with the RTA on the same day we take on your case. This protects your shares from fraudulent transfer during the duplicate issuance process. Many shareholders attempting Lost Share Certificate Recovery independently are unaware that a stop transfer notice should be filed immediately.

We Know Each Company's Specific Requirements

Duplicate certificate requirements are not standardised across all companies. Some require a surety letter in addition to the indemnity bond. Some specify particular newspaper formats. Some have specific RTA submission addresses different from their registered office. We know the requirements of virtually all listed companies — preventing rejection due to format or procedural errors.

We Prepare All Legal Documents In-House

Our Duplicate Share Certificate Assistance team prepares all FIR drafts, affidavits, indemnity bonds, and newspaper notices internally — in the correct legal format required by the specific company and RTA. You do not need to engage a separate lawyer for document drafting.

We Manage Newspaper Publication

Identifying the correct newspapers, drafting the notice in the required format, coordinating simultaneous publication in both papers, and obtaining published copies for the submission package — all managed by us. Errors in newspaper publication format are a common cause of application rejection.

We Handle the Full Journey — Certificate to Demat

For most clients, obtaining the duplicate certificate is just the beginning. The certificate then needs to be dematerialised — and in many cases, an IEPF claim or transmission process also needs to be initiated. We manage the entire journey from duplicate issuance through to final demat credit under a single Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery Services engagement.

Full NRI Remote Service

All documentation for NRI clients — apostilled affidavits, indemnity bonds, and power of attorney — can be coordinated remotely with country-specific guidance on apostille requirements. We also provide remote Physical Share Certificate Recovery support for NRI shareholders. No India visit required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duplicate Share Certificate — Your Questions Answered

If I have lost my share certificate, have I lost my shares?

No. A share certificate is evidence of ownership — not ownership itself. Your legal ownership is recorded in the company’s register of members and the RTA’s folio records. Losing the physical certificate does not affect your ownership. However, you will need a duplicate share certificate to dematerialise, sell, transfer, or transmit the shares.

Is an FIR mandatory for obtaining a duplicate share certificate?

This is one of the most important steps in Lost Share Certificate Recovery cases. An FIR from the local police station is a standard requirement across most listed companies and RTAs as part of the indemnity documentation. For damaged certificates that are being surrendered, some companies may accept a damage affidavit in lieu of an FIR — but this varies by company. We advise on the exact requirements for your specific company after the free consultation.

What is an indemnity bond and why is it required?

An indemnity bond is a legal document in which the shareholder (and sometimes a surety) formally undertakes to indemnify — that is, compensate — the company against any loss or claim arising from the lost certificate. It is required because the company is issuing a second certificate for the same shares while the original certificate may still exist somewhere. The indemnity bond protects the company against any future dispute over ownership. We prepare and arrange notarisation of the indemnity bond as part of our standard Duplicate Share Certificate Assistance process.

Why does the duplicate certificate process require newspaper publication?

Newspaper publication serves as a public notice — informing any third party who may be holding or claiming an interest in the original certificate. After publication, companies typically require a 15-day waiting period before processing the application — giving any objector time to raise a formal complaint. This step is mandatory for most listed companies as per their articles of association and SEBI guidelines.

How long does the duplicate share certificate process take?

For standard lost certificate cases handled through our Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery Services: 45 to 75 days from the date all documents are ready. For damaged certificate cases where the original is surrendered: 30 to 60 days. For deceased holder cases requiring transmission before or after duplicate issuance: 3 to 5 months. For cases where IEPF recovery is also required: 8 to 12 months in total.

Can I sell or transfer shares using a duplicate certificate?

Not directly as a physical certificate — SEBI regulations require that shares be in demat form before they can be sold or transferred. Once the duplicate certificate is issued, it must be dematerialised. After dematerialisation, the shares can be sold, transferred, gifted, or pledged through normal market channels. We manage dematerialisation immediately after duplicate issuance as part of our integrated Physical Share Certificate Recovery process.

What if the share certificate is damaged but not completely lost?

Damaged certificates can often be processed differently from lost ones — the damaged original is surrendered to the company in exchange for a duplicate, and an FIR may not be required in all cases. However, the process still involves an affidavit and indemnity bond. We assess the condition of the certificate and advise the correct process for your specific company and RTA.

Can a legal heir apply for a duplicate certificate if the original shareholder is deceased?

Yes. A legal heir can apply for a duplicate certificate in the name of the deceased shareholder — with the heir executing the affidavit and indemnity bond on behalf of the estate. After the duplicate certificate is issued, the transmission process is initiated to transfer it into the heir’s name. We regularly handle these Duplicate Share Certificate for Share Recovery cases for legal heirs across India.

What if I do not know the certificate number or folio number?

We can often trace the certificate and folio details through the company’s RTA using your name, PAN card number, or registered address. In many cases, sufficient information can be retrieved from RTA records to proceed with the duplicate issuance application even where the certificate itself — and its details — are completely unavailable.

Can NRIs apply for duplicate share certificates without visiting India?

Yes. All documents — the affidavit, indemnity bond, and any power of attorney — can be executed abroad and apostilled or notarised according to the requirements of the country of residence. We provide country-specific guidance on apostille requirements and Our Duplicate Share Certificate Assistance team manages all Indian-side submissions and RTA follow-up remotely. No India visit is required.

A Lost Certificate Is a Problem We Have Solved Over a Thousand Times. Let Us Solve It for You.

The Duplicate Share Certificate Recovery process has multiple steps — each with its own requirements, timelines, and potential complications. Our specialists manage every step on your behalf, from the first stop transfer notice to the final demat credit. Start with a free consultation and get a clear plan within 2 business hours.