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    Found an old share certificate? What to do next

    Check the company name on the certificate against Companies House or our finder. The company keeps a register of members, and larger companies use registrars, so the registrar is who you ask. What happens next depends on whether the company was renamed, taken over or dissolved.

    Do this first: official routes

    1. Check the name on the certificate against Companies House or our finder. Companies House: find and update company information Old Shares Finder
    2. If it changed its name, follow the renamed-company guide. Company changed its name
    3. If it was taken over, see what happens next. Company taken over
    4. If the company has been dissolved, see what happens to the shares. Company dissolved
    5. Contact the registrar through its official site. Registrar contact pages

    Our tip

    This is our tip, not a rule: keep the original safe. Send a copy unless the registrar asks for the original.

    Then use the free finder

    Type the old company name into the Old Shares Finder. It is free and stores nothing.

    Watch out for scams

    Be wary of anyone who contacts you out of the blue about your shares. Never pay upfront to release money. Check any firm on the FCA register. FCA: ScamSmart FCA Financial Services Register

    Questions

    Is an old share certificate worth anything?

    It depends on what happened to the company. Check its history first.

    Who do I contact about an old certificate?

    The company's registrar. The company keeps a register of members, and larger companies use registrars to keep it. Our finder shows the registrar where we have checked it.

    What if the company no longer exists?

    See what happens when a company is dissolved. A company can also be renamed or taken over, so check its history on Companies House first.

    Sources

    We don't give advice and we never hold or move money.