Every year, thousands of investors lose access to their shares or dividends — not because they sold them, but simply because they forgot about them or weren’t aware they existed. If this sounds familiar, your money might be lying untouched with the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF).
While the idea of reclaiming forgotten assets sounds complicated, it doesn’t have to be. With proper guidance and expert support, the IEPF claim process can be surprisingly straightforward.
What Is IEPF and Why Should You Care?
The Investor Education and Protection Fund, or IEPF, was created by the Government of India to manage unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, and even shares that remain inactive for years. If these remain unclaimed for seven consecutive years, companies are legally required to transfer them to the IEPF Authority.
This means if you, or someone in your family, haven’t claimed dividends or updated your investment details, your shares may now be sitting with IEPF. The good news is — it’s not lost. You can still claim it back.
Why Shares and Dividends Get Transferred to IEPF
Most people don’t realise how easy it is to lose access to their investments. A change in postal address, forgetting to update bank details, or ignoring dividend emails can result in shares being marked as unclaimed.
In cases where the original investor has passed away, families often don’t have the right documents to recover the investments. Eventually, the company moves the unclaimed shares or money to the IEPF.
What Can You Recover from IEPF?
IEPF holds more than just dividends. You can file a claim for:
- Unclaimed dividends
- Shares transferred due to inactivity
- Matured fixed deposits or debentures
- Refunds of application money
- Any interest accrued on these instruments
Even if the original shareholder is no longer alive, legal heirs can step in and file the claim with the right documentation.
The IEPF Claim Filing Process: Step-by-Step
While the IEPF refund process is clearly defined, it can feel overwhelming at first glance. Here’s a simplified version of what you can expect.
1. Confirm if Your Assets Are With IEPF
Start by checking the IEPF portal or your company’s website. You’ll need basic details like your name and company name. This step helps verify if your dividends or shares were transferred to the fund.
2. Get Your Documents Ready
If you’re the original investor, you’ll need your PAN, Aadhaar, proof of investment, and bank details.
If you’re a legal heir, you’ll also need the shareholder’s death certificate, succession certificate or legal heir certificate, along with identity proofs and your relationship proof.
3. File Form IEPF-5 Online
Once documents are ready, you must file Form IEPF-5 online through the MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) website. After filing, download a copy and sign it.
4. Submit Physical Documents to the Company
Send the signed Form IEPF-5 along with all supporting documents to the Nodal Officer of the respective company. This step is crucial — any missing paperwork can lead to delays or rejection.
5. Wait for Verification and Approval
The company checks your documents, verifies the claim, and forwards it to the IEPF Authority. Once approved, your shares or dividend amount is released.
Why Most People Struggle with IEPF Claims
Filing an IEPF claim is not just about filling out a form. It’s a legal process that demands accuracy and patience.
Many claims get rejected because of simple mistakes like missing paperwork, improperly filled forms, or legal heir documentation not being in order.
Even tracking down old share certificates or dividend records can be time-consuming. This is why professional support makes all the difference.
How Expertvuw Makes IEPF Claim Filing Effortless
At Expertvuw, we’ve worked with hundreds of clients to help them recover their rightful investments from IEPF. Whether it’s a simple dividend recovery or a complex legal heir case, our process is designed to be seamless, transparent, and fast.
Our team understands the real-world challenges — whether it’s a lack of succession proof, lost documents, or dealing with multiple family members. We guide you through every step.
What Our IEPF Claim Assistance Services Include
Our services go beyond just paperwork. Here’s what you get when you work with Expertvuw:
Document Preparation and Legal Drafting
We prepare all the necessary legal documents, including indemnity bonds, affidavits, and ASRs. Our experts ensure every form is accurate and complete.
Legal Heir and Probate Support
If you’re filing on behalf of a deceased shareholder, we help you get the necessary legal certificates, even if they were never created before.
End-to-End Coordination with Companies and IEPF
We act as your single point of contact — coordinating with the company’s Nodal Officer, following up, and pushing your case till it’s resolved.
Help with Physical to Demat Conversion
Have physical share certificates? We’ll help you convert them to demat before filing your IEPF claim, as per current regulations.
Who Should Consider IEPF Claim Services?
If any of the following situations apply to you, it’s time to explore claim assistance:
- You have physical share certificates issued decades ago
- You’ve received dividend cheques that were never encashed
- Your family member (now deceased) held shares in Indian companies
- You’re unsure how to track or verify old investments
- You’re an NRI unsure how to file a claim from abroad
Don’t let valuable investments remain unclaimed due to legal or documentation hurdles.
Client Experience: A Real-Life Case
One of our clients, Mr. Arvind Sharma, came to us with a faded share certificate of a company from the 1990s. He had no clue about the dividend status or whether the company even existed.
We verified the transfer to IEPF, handled the demat conversion, filed the claim, and helped him recover shares now worth over ₹15 lakhs.
These are not isolated stories — they’re happening every day.
Start Your Claim With Confidence
It’s easy to assume that if an investment was lost, it’s gone forever. But that’s not true. There’s a system in place — and with proper help, it’s possible to reclaim your money, no matter how long ago it was invested.
At Expertvuw, we treat each case with the care it deserves. Whether you’re trying to reclaim shares, dividends, or deposits, we help you do it without stress.
Meet the Expert Behind It All: CS Chetna Shoor, CEO of Expertvuw
When it comes to navigating the complex world of share recovery and IEPF claims, experience matters — and at Expertvuw, that experience is led by none other than CS Chetna Shoor, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of domain expertise.
Her journey began in corporate law, but she quickly recognised a deeper issue — the sheer number of investors who had lost access to their rightful assets due to outdated records, regulatory gaps, or lack of awareness. That insight led to the founding of Expertvuw, a platform focused entirely on recovery of shares and IEPF claim assistance services.
Her work isn’t limited to paperwork. Chetna Shoor has earned the respect of industry peers, including legal professionals, registrars, listed companies, and compliance officers. Her insights are regularly sought for resolving tricky compliance issues or interpreting new circulars from SEBI and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Under her leadership, Expertvuw has become a go-to partner for anyone facing issues related to unclaimed shares, transmission, or legal heir claims. From helping an elderly widow recover her late husband’s shares after two decades, to guiding an NRI client through
cross-border documentation — her team’s track record speaks for itself.
If you’re overwhelmed by missing shares, delayed transmissions, or complicated legal heir claims, CS Chetna Shoor brings the clarity and experience you need. Her work has empowered thousands of investors across India and abroad to reclaim their wealth — securely, legally, and without stress.
Looking for expert-led recovery of shares services?
Connect with Expertvuw today and let Chetna Shoor and her team guide you every step of the way.
Let’s Get Started
Unsure where to begin? We offer a free initial consultation to assess your claim eligibility. No paperwork needed to start. Just a simple conversation with our experts.
Reach Out to Expertvuw for IEPF Claim Assistance Services
We’ll help you check your eligibility, explain the process, and take care of the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I claim shares that were in my father’s name?
Yes, but you’ll need legal documents like a succession certificate, legal heir certificate, or will — depending on the case.
Q2. I have only a physical share certificate. Can I file an IEPF claim?
You can, but first, you’ll need to convert your physical shares to demat format. We help with that.
Q3. How long does the IEPF refund process take?
It usually takes 3–6 months. Legal heir cases or missing documents may cause delays.
Q4. What if I don’t know the company that issued the shares?
We can help track it down. If you have any old records or names, we’ll investigate for you.
Q5. Do NRIs need to visit India for IEPF claims?
Not at all. We handle the process on behalf of NRIs, coordinating everything remotely and legally.
Final Thoughts
Lost investments don’t have to stay lost. If you think you or your family may have unclaimed shares, dividends, or deposits, now is the time to take action.
Don’t let legal technicalities or paperwork stop you from reclaiming what’s rightfully yours. With Expertvuw’s IEPF claim assistance services, you’ll have a dedicated team ensuring your case moves forward — correctly, legally, and efficiently.
Let us help you reconnect with your wealth.
Book your free consultation today and take the first step toward reclaiming your financial legacy.
