We understand this can be a difficult time for you and the family.

We are here to help guide (or assist) the estate’s legal representative(s) through the due process when a shareholder passes away. Firstly to identify the legal documentation required to record the event, and next to provide guidance to facilitate the sale or transfer of any balance of shares, and/or issue of any unclaimed payments owed to the late shareholder.

1. Notify Computershare

The first thing to do is notify Computershare that the shareholder has passed away.

Once we are made aware of the change in circumstances, we can stop any activity on the shareholding, such as issue of dividend payments, until we have confirmed the rightful legal representatives, and acknowledge their wishes.

You can notify using the notify us online button below or call us Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (UK time).

When you contact us please ensure you have the below details at hand:

  • The full name and address of the late shareholder, as it appears on the register
  • The name of the company in which shares are held
  • The Shareholder Reference Number (SRN)
  • Any previous addresses for the late shareholder

If you are unable to provide all the information above, please provide as much other information as you can that may help us to identify shareholdings. Once you have notified us, we will send you information relating to each shareholding, explaining what legal documentation we will require.

2. Update the Register

We need to understand who the rightful legal representatives of the estate are, so that we can update the company’s register.

The documentation we require will depend on the value of the shareholding(s) and where the late shareholder was resident. The pack of information we will send you after notifying us will already be tailored based on our appraisal of these factors. For more information about how we value shareholdings, the documents we have asked you for, or if you require duplicate or additional forms to those we send you in the pack, please see our Deceased Estates guide (for shareholders) or our Deceased Estates guide (for Gilts stockholders).

3. Sell or Transfer

Once we have updated the company’s register with the authorised legal representatives, you will be in a position to sell and/or transfer ownership of any shares.   

Once we have received all the required legal documents, we will update the company’s register with the relevant legal representatives. We will then send you a further information pack, tailored to the estate's intention for disposal of any shares on the shareholding. This may be to sell or transfer shares, or a combination of both.

For more information about the options available to you, including share-dealing services available from Computershare and the circumstances in which they can be used, please see our Deceased Estates guide (for shareholders) or our Deceased Estates guide (for Gilts stockholders).

Read 'Your Guide to Gilts Stock ownership and Bereavement' here Read 'Your Guide to Share ownership and Bereavement' here

Help

Whenever you contact us please ensure you include the full name of the holder, registered address, company name and SRN (shareholder reference number)

0370 702 0000

01 216 3100

Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS99 6ZZ

Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited
3100 Lake Drive
Citywest Business Campus
Dublin 24
D24 AK82