What to do if you find an old stock certificate?
How to Research Vintage Stock Certificates Inspect the Certificate. Inspect the information printed on the documents. A valid corporate security instrument should... Conduct a Quick Name Search. A corporation can have a perpetual existence, so the entity that issued the stock... Use ...
How to find the value of your old stock certificates?
Jul 27, 2017 · How to Research Old Stock Certificates for Free. Search on the Internet to see if the company still exists. If the company is still operating under the name listed, do a web-based stock market quote search. If the company is not operating under the name listed, it may have been acquired by another company or it indeed may have ceased operations.
What do I do with an old stock certificate?
Jul 27, 2017 · Research the company that issued the security. If you know the date the certificate was issued, you can research whether or not the company has gone through reorganization ("reorg") or a stock split since the issuance of the stock. Most online financial websites, such as Yahoo! Finance, offer historical pricing with notations for reorgs or splits.
How do you check my old share certificate?
If the name of the transfer agent is printed on the certificate, contacting the transfer agent is the easiest way to learn about the certificate. If the transfer agent whose name appears on the certificate is no longer in existence, contacting the state agency that handles incorporations in the state in which the company was incorporated may prove useful.
How do I know if my old share certificates are still valid?
How do you find out if an old stock certificate is worth anything?
How do I look up a stock certificate?
How do I research old stock certificates for free?
Do stock certificates expire?
How do you cash in old stock certificates?
How do I find old stocks in my name?
- Home Search. Search your paper files at home. ...
- Broker Contact. Contact your broker to ensure the stock is not being held in “street name.” You may have turned the certificates over and forgotten about it. ...
- Investor Inquiries. ...
- Request a Stop Transfer. ...
- Order a Replacement.
How do I find old stock shares?
What does a CUSIP look like?
Does Robinhood issue stock certificates?
Can a corporation have a perpetual existence?
A corporation can have a perpetual existence, so the entity that issued the stock certificates in your possession could still be in business under the same name or a new name. Conduct a quick Internet search using a search engine to try and determine whether the corporation is still in existence. If the corporation has a website, look for ...
Who is Terry Masters?
She holds a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a minor in finance.
Step 1: Head Down to the Library
There are reasonably priced databases although many of those are available at your local library.
Step 2: State Business Entity Search
Let's continue with Bowser Delaware Corp. from the previous steps example. The company was (as we assembled) incorporated in Delaware. From the state of Delaware we can receive the date of termination of the company and the company's last transfer agent which will be critical later on.
Step 3: Contact the Company's Transfer Agent
From our local library we were able to track down the various corporate changes that the company went through. From the Secretary of State's site we found a Business Entity Search. From this search we were able to gather the Transfer Agent information.
Step 4: Professional Help
At this point you have pieced together the entire corporate history for the shares that you own! If the transfer agent requires for you to get proof-of-purchase for your shares or any other legal matters arise it is at this point where professional help can be a very valuable resource.
2 Comments
Is there an updated link for places that can do the legwork on stocks current value? The link in this article is dead
Gathering Info on Your Stock
The most important feature to look for when you happen upon an old stock certificate is any signs of canceling. It may be a barely readable hand stamp or imprint, but if it is there, your stock is worth nothing on the stock market (although it may be valuable to collectors).
Research the Company Name
If you are lucky, your company will still be in business under the same name. If your company is a household name, such as General Electric or U.S. Steel, chances are that is still operating under the same name. Most other companies, however, have likely undergone numerous mergers or acquisitions.
Conduct Further Research Using the CUSIP
A stock's CUSIP (Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures) number is somewhat like the ISBN number of a book. Each security has its own CUSIP and is assigned a new one whenever there is a reorganization, merger or acquisition.
Inquire With the Secretary of State
As a last resort, you can ask the secretary of state where the company was incorporated about the status of the company. Conduct a quick web search for the state of the incorporation to find out the correct department to contact.
Speak with the Transfer Agent
Once you ascertain the current name of the company, get in touch with the transfer agent. You can usually find out who the transfer agent is by speaking with the company's investor relations department. The transfer agent will help you to assign the stock to your name.
Additional Resources
Several publications keep records of mergers, acquisitions and other corporate histories (see link in Resources).
What is an asset purchase?
The asset purchase includes all archives, publishing rights and copyrights on obsolete research reference material published by the Marvyn Scudders Manuals , the Robert D. Fisher Manuals, and the Herzog & Co., Inc. obsolete research services, which have been performed continuously since 1880.
Who is Bob Kerstein?
Bob Kerstein, CPA, CGMA is the Founder and CEO. of Scripophily.com’s Old Company Research Services. Bob has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1978. Bob is also a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He had worked as a Chief Financial Officer and in other capacities for both Public and non Publicly held companies prior to founding Scripophily.com and Old Company Research. He has more than 42 years experience in the communications and entertainment industries including Cellular, Satellite Communications, Internet Development, Cable TV, Motion Pictures and Professional Sports.
Step By Step Help For Cashing In On Old Stock Certificates
The U.S. government amasses millions of dollars of unclaimed assets every year. Some of those assets are old, uncashed dividends and stocks.
Getting Started With Cashing In Old Stock Certificates
First, you must find out if the issuing company is still active. You can do this by investigating the instrument from home or at your local library.
Researching Old Companies
Ideally, you want to find out as soon as possible if your stocks hold any value. Resultantly, it makes good sense to start doing a little research on your own.
Learning More About Your Certificate Through the State
You can also find out information about your old stock certificate through the state. Contact the Secretary of State Office of the issuing state on the certificate.
Approaching the Finish Line
Now you’ve identified the company and your CUSIP number. You have the information you need to investigate the worth of your old stock certificates.
Sealing the Deal
If you’ve gotten this far, the transfer agent will ask you to complete the transfer form. The transfer form is located on the back of the stock certificate.
Yet Another Way to Cash in on Old Stock Certificates
Sometimes, a stock certificate may look valid, but it holds no worth, or it’s been canceled – as mentioned above. If, in the end, you find out that your stock has no value – don’t give up.
