How to Claim Shares After the Death of a Shareholder

First, find the holding

Identify the company, folio or demat account, and whether the securities are held physically or in demat. Find out whether a nomination exists and whether the shares have moved to IEPF.

If there is a nominee

The nominee generally submits a transmission request form, the CML of their demat account, a verifiable death certificate and the original certificates or statement of account. The nominee receives the assets as trustee for the legal heirs.

If you are a surviving joint holder

Transmission goes to surviving joint holders under the rule of survivorship, provided the company's articles do not provide otherwise. Under the July 2026 framework the entity should not seek KYC, indemnity or undertakings from the survivor except a copy of the death certificate.

If there is no nomination

Documentation depends on the value of the claim: Quick Transmission Processing for very low-value claims by immediate relatives; simplified documentation up to the threshold; and fuller documentation above it. See our checklist.

If the shares are with IEPF

The claim is made to the IEPF Authority through Form IEPF-5, with documents establishing your entitlement as successor. SEBI's circular also asks processing entities to follow a similar approach for transmission of securities transferred to IEPF.