We trace folios, verify ownership with RTAs, resolve name mismatches, and complete the full Physical Share Dematerialisation Services process — from certificate submission to demat account credit. Every step handled by certified professionals.
🔒 Strictly confidential. No charges for assessment. No obligation to proceed.
Dematerialisation is the process of converting physical share certificates into electronic form — held in a demat account with a Depository Participant (DP) through NSDL or CDSL. Once dematerialised, shares can be traded, transferred, gifted, or pledged through normal market channels.
Physical share certificates, on the other hand, cannot be sold or transferred in today’s market. SEBI has mandated that shares held in physical form cannot be transferred between parties — only demat shares can be transacted. This regulation has been in effect since April 2019 and applies to all listed companies.
If you have found old paper share certificates — in a bank locker, a family file, or during estate clearance — those shares still have real financial value. But that value cannot be accessed until you Convert Physical Shares into Demat Account format successfully.
There is also an urgency that many families are unaware of: physical shares that are not dematerialised continue to receive dividends — but if those dividends go uncashed for seven consecutive years, both the dividends and the underlying shares are transferred to IEPF. Dematerialising promptly protects against this risk.
Physical shares cannot be transferred, sold, or gifted — only demat shares can be transacted in India’s securities market.
Under Rule 7 of the IEPF Rules, any person whose shares or unclaimed dividend has been transferred to IEPF may file a claim for refund using Form IEPF-5. There is no time limit for filing — your right to reclaim does not expire. However, each year of delay adds to the processing timeline once the claim is filed.
If dividends on physical shares go unclaimed for 7 consecutive years, both the dividends and the shares are transferred to IEPF — adding months of additional recovery complexity.
The longer dematerialisation is delayed, the greater the risk of complications — including IEPF transfer, company name changes, and RTA record discrepancies.

From IEPF-5 filing to share transmission after death — our services cover every dimension of investor wealth recovery under one specialist team.
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.
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.
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.
We prepare the IEPF-5 form with complete accuracy, coordinate DSC procurement if required, and prepare the Indemnity Bond and Advance Receipt.
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.
We track your claim through company verification, IEPF Authority verification, and MCA approval stages — providing regular status updates throughout.
6–12 months (govt. processing dependent)
KYC mismatch / incorrect Nodal Officer details
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5–75 days (standard lost certificate cases)
Dematerialisation of the duplicate certificate
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
30–60 days (nominee + demat) · 3–6 months (no nominee)
Wrong succession document / submission in incorrect RTA format
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
30–90 days (pre-IEPF) · 6–12 months (post-IEPF transfer)
Unlinked PAN / outdated bank mandate causing continued dividend failure
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
9–15 months (includes succession certificate process)
Legal heir certificate or succession certificate
Our Physical Shares to Demat Services apply to a wide range of situations. Identify your scenario below.
This is the most common scenario. Certificates purchased in the 1980s and 1990s — particularly during the IPO boom of that era — are frequently discovered during estate clearance or bank locker reviews. Companies like Reliance, Infosys, Wipro, TCS, and hundreds of others issued physical certificates during this period that may still hold significant value today.
What we do: Verify certificate authenticity, trace the current folio status with the RTA, check for corporate actions (splits, bonuses, mergers) that may have changed the share quantity, and complete the full DRF (Demat Request Form) submission process.
When a shareholder passes away holding physical certificates, transmission and dematerialisation must both be completed. The certificates must first be transmitted into the heir's name — and then dematerialised into the heir's demat account.
What we do: We handle transmission and dematerialisation as a combined process, minimising the overall timeline and ensuring both steps are completed correctly in sequence.
Many companies from the 1980s and 1990s have since merged with larger entities, been acquired, or changed their names. Shareholders often assume their old certificates are worthless — when in reality the shares may have been converted to the successor company's equity at a significant ratio.
What we do: We trace the corporate history, identify the current successor entity and its RTA, verify the applicable share conversion ratio, and initiate dematerialisation under the current company’s folio structure.
A very common complication with older certificates: the name on the certificate does not exactly match the current PAN card or Aadhaar — due to initials, spelling variations, or name changes after marriage. Similarly, signature mismatches between the certificate and current records cause rejections during the demat process.
What we do: We identify the mismatch, prepare the supporting documentation required by the RTA to establish the connection between the old certificate name and the current identity proof, and resolve the discrepancy before initiating the demat request through our Physical Shares Conversion Services India team.
If dividends on the physical shares have been going uncashed for seven or more years, they — and possibly the shares themselves — may have already been transferred to IEPF. In this case, dematerialisation alone is not sufficient.
What we do: We check IEPF transfer status as part of the initial assessment. If IEPF transfer has occurred, we manage the IEPF recovery process alongside or prior to dematerialisation — depending on the specific situation.
NRIs who hold or have inherited physical share certificates face additional complications — FEMA compliance requirements for dividend repatriation, and the need for NRO/NRE-linked demat accounts. Documents executed abroad must also be apostilled or notarised.
What we do: We manage the entire Dematerialisation of Physical Shares Online process remotely for NRI clients, including FEMA compliance guidance and coordination with the relevant DP for NRI demat account setup.
A clear, structured process managed entirely by our team — from certificate verification to demat account credit.
Share the details of your certificates with us — company name, certificate number, folio number, and number of shares. We verify the current status of the holding with the relevant RTA, check for any corporate actions that may have changed the share quantity, confirm whether any dividends have been transferred to IEPF, and give you a clear picture of the current value and next steps under our Physical Shares to Demat Services process.
No charges at this stage.Â
We identify the current RTA responsible for the company's shareholder records — which may have changed since the certificate was originally issued. We trace the folio number, verify that the certificate details match the RTA records, and identify any discrepancies in name, address, or signature that must be resolved before dematerialisation can proceed.
If there are any discrepancies between the certificate details and the current KYC records — name spelling, address, signature — we prepare the supporting documentation required by the RTA to resolve them. This may include affidavits, gazette notifications, or marriage certificates. Corrections are submitted to the RTA and tracked through to confirmation.
Note: This step is critical. Attempting dematerialisation without resolving KYC mismatches results in rejection — adding weeks to the timeline.
We prepare the Demat Request Form (DRF) in the correct format, attach all required supporting documents, and submit the package to the client's Depository Participant (DP). The DP forwards the DRF and physical certificates to the RTA for verification. We ensure all certificate details — ISIN, folio number, share quantity, and certificate numbers — are accurately captured in the DRF to prevent rejection while helping clients Convert Physical Shares into Demat Account format efficiently.
The RTA verifies the physical certificates against their records, confirms ownership, and approves the demat request. We follow up with the DP and RTA regularly as part of our dedicated Physical Share Dematerialisation Services support. Any queries from the RTA are responded to within 48 hours.
Once the RTA approves the demat request, the shares are credited to the client's demat account in electronic form. We verify the credit — confirming the correct number of shares at the correct ISIN — and provide complete documentation confirming the dematerialisation. We also advise on dividend mandate updates and any further steps required to activate the holding.
| Process Stage | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|
| Certificate Assessment & RTA Tracing | 3–7 days |
| KYC Corrections (if required) | 7–21 working days |
| DRF Preparation & Submission | 1–2 weeks |
| RTA Verification & Approval | 15–30 days |
| Demat Credit After Approval | 1–2 weeks |
| Total Expected Timeline | 6–10 weeks (straightforward cases) |
| Cases with KYC Corrections or Succession Requirements | 3–5 months |
Physical share dematerialisation is rarely straightforward. These are the complications we encounter most frequently — and resolve as a standard part of our process Physical Share Certificate Demat Assistance process.
The name on the original share certificate — often written as initials and surname, or with a different spelling — does not match the current PAN or Aadhaar exactly. RTAs will reject demat requests where the name does not match precisely.
How we resolve it:
We prepare the supporting affidavit or gazette notification required by the RTA to establish the connection between the certificate name and the current identity proof. Where the discrepancy is minor — a spelling variation or middle name issue — we coordinate directly with the RTA to obtain administrative resolution without a court order.
The signature on the original share certificate or the RTA's records does not match the shareholder's current signature. This is extremely common with certificates issued 20–30 years ago.
How we resolve it: We submit a signature update request to the RTA with supporting identity documents. The RTA updates its records before the demat request is submitted — preventing the mismatch from causing a rejection.
The company named on the certificate may no longer exist under that name. It may have merged into a larger entity, been delisted, or undergone multiple name changes over the decades.
How we resolve it: We trace the full corporate history of the company — through MCA records, stock exchange filings, and RTA databases — to identify the current successor entity. We confirm the applicable share conversion ratio and identify the current RTA responsible for the folio. Dematerialisation is then initiated under the current company structure.
The Registrar and Transfer Agent managing the company's shareholder records may have changed since the certificate was issued — particularly common with older certificates. Approaching the old RTA yields no results.
How we resolve it:Â We identify the current RTA through the company’s latest annual report, BSE/NSE filings, and direct company contact. We initiate the demat process with the correct current RTA.
Physical certificates that have been stored for decades may be torn, water-damaged, faded, or partially illegible — making it impossible to read the certificate number or folio details.
How we resolve it: We work with the RTA to verify the shareholding through alternative records — the shareholder register and folio history — where the physical certificate details cannot be clearly read. In cases of significant damage, a duplicate certificate may need to be obtained before dematerialisation can proceed.
If the company has been paying dividends on the physical shares but they have been going unclaimed, those dividends — and potentially the shares themselves — may have been transferred to IEPF. In this case, dematerialisation alone does not recover the full asset.
How we resolve it: We check IEPF transfer status as part of the initial assessment. If any amount has been transferred to IEPF, we initiate the IEPF-5 recovery process alongside the dematerialisation — ensuring the client recovers both the dematerialised shares and any transferred dividends.
Physical certificates in the name of a deceased shareholder cannot be dematerialised directly into a living heir's demat account. Transmission must be completed first — transferring the certificates into the heir's name — before the demat process can be initiated.
How we resolve it:Â We manage transmission and dematerialisation as a combined sequential process. Both are initiated simultaneously where possible to reduce the overall timeline.
The exact documents depend on your specific situation. Your case manager will provide a personalised checklist after the free consultation. The reference below covers the most common requirements for Physical Shares to Demat Services.
Required for All dematerialisation cases
Required for All dematerialisation cases
— Name / Signature Mismatch Cases
Required for Transmission before dematerialisation
KFintech, Link Intime, Alankit, Bigshare, and Cameo all have different DRF formats, different KYC mismatch resolution procedures, and different processing timelines. Submitting in the wrong format or to the wrong address is a common error that delays the process by weeks. We have worked with all major RTAs extensively and know exactly what each requires.
The single most common reason for DRF rejection is a mismatch between the certificate name and the current KYC records. We identify and resolve all mismatches before submitting the demat request — eliminating the most frequent cause of delay and rejection.
For certificates from the 1980s and 1990s, we trace the full corporate history — mergers, acquisitions, name changes, RTA changes — to identify the current status of your holding and the correct entity to approach for dematerialisation. Many clients come to us believing their old certificates are worthless, only to discover significant current value.
For deceased holder cases, we manage transmission and dematerialisation as an integrated process — rather than treating them as separate engagements. This reduces the overall timeline and ensures both processes are completed correctly in sequence without gaps.
Before initiating dematerialisation, we check whether any dividends or shares have been transferred to IEPF. If they have, we build an integrated recovery plan — so you do not complete dematerialisation only to discover that a portion of your holdings is still trapped in IEPF.
For NRI clients, we manage the entire Dematerialisation of Physical Shares Online process remotely — including country-specific apostille guidance, NRI demat account coordination, and FEMA compliance for dividend repatriation. No India visit required.
No. SEBI has mandated since April 2019 that shares held in physical form cannot be transferred between parties. Only dematerialised shares can be traded, transferred, gifted, or pledged in India’s securities market. Physical certificates must be converted through proper Physical Shares to Demat Services before any transaction can take place.
The best way to verify is to check with the company’s current RTA using the folio number and certificate number. If the company has merged or changed its name, the certificates may still be valid under the successor entity. We verify certificate status as part of the free initial consultation — share the company name and certificate details with us and we will confirm the current position.
Many companies from the 1980s and 1990s have since merged with or been acquired by other entities. In most cases, the original shares have been converted to successor company equity at a defined ratio. We trace the corporate history through MCA records and stock exchange filings to identify the current status of your holding and the applicable conversion.
This is a very common situation with older certificates. RTAs require that the name on the certificate and the current identity proof match exactly before dematerialisation is approved. We prepare the supporting documentation — affidavit, gazette notification, or marriage certificate depending on the type of discrepancy — and coordinate the name update with the RTA before submitting the demat request.
 Yes. You need an active, KYC-compliant demat account in the same name as the share certificate before the DRF can be submitted. If you do not already have a demat account, we can guide you through opening one with a Depository Participant of your choice. For NRI clients, an NRO or NRE-linked demat account is required.
For straightforward cases with no KYC issues: six to ten weeks from certificate submission to demat credit. Cases involving name mismatch corrections: three to four months. Cases involving transmission before dematerialisation: four to six months. Cases with combined IEPF recovery: six to twelve months depending on the IEPF component.
Your original physical certificates are defaced and cancelled by the RTA after the dematerialisation request is approved. They are no longer valid as proof of ownership — the demat statement becomes the official record of your shareholding. We advise you to retain defaced certificates for personal records, though they have no legal value post-dematerialisation.
No. Shares must be dematerialised into a demat account in the same name as the certificate holder. For a deceased shareholder, transmission must first be completed — transferring the holding into the heir’s name — before dematerialisation into the heir’s demat account can proceed. We manage both steps as an integrated process.
Damaged certificates can sometimes still be dematerialised if the RTA can verify the shareholding through their records using the folio number. Where the certificate is too damaged to be processed, a duplicate certificate must be obtained from the company first. We assess the condition of the certificate and advise the correct approach.
Physical share certificates sitting in bank lockers or family files are not earning anything — and every year they remain undematerialised, the risk of IEPF transfer and corporate action complications grows. Our Physical Shares to Demat Services specialists will assess your certificates for free and give you a clear picture of their current value and the steps required for successful Dematerialisation of Physical Shares Online.
Physical share certificates sitting in bank lockers or family files are not earning anything — and every year they remain undematerialised, the risk of IEPF transfer and corporate action complications grows. Our specialists will assess your certificates for free and give you a clear picture of their current value and the steps required.