Skip to content
IEPF Assist

Claiming a deceased relative's shares as a legal heir

We help families identify the holdings, understand which route applies, and organise the documents the company, RTA or IEPF Authority will ask for.

Request Consultation+91 93559 61955

A guide for families

When a shareholder dies, their securities pass to the nominee, the surviving joint holder or the legal heirs — depending on how the holding was set up and what the law provides. Families often discover shares months or years later, sometimes after the shares have already moved to IEPF.

There are two distinct situations. If the shares are still with the company or its RTA, the route is transmission. If they have been transferred to IEPF, the claim is to the IEPF Authority, and the claimant must also show how they are entitled as the deceased's successor.

What this service involves

  • Finding what exists

    Tracing holdings, folios and demat accounts from papers and records.

  • Choosing the route

    Transmission, or an IEPF claim, or both for different holdings.

  • Entitlement documents

    Nomination, legal heirship proof, family settlement, succession certificate or probate, as appropriate.

  • Coordinating heirs

    Collecting consents and signatures from several family members.

Who may need this service

  • Children and spouses

    Of a deceased shareholder.

  • Nominees

    Who are entitled to receive the securities as trustees for the legal heirs.

  • NRI and overseas heirs

    Dealing with documents issued abroad.

Common problems we see

  • No will and no nomination

    Requiring proof of heirship.

  • Heirs disagree

    SEBI's transmission framework does not apply to disputed or competing claims.

  • Certificates missing

    A duplicate-cum-transmission route may be needed.

  • Many small holdings

    Across several companies and RTAs.

How the process generally works

The exact steps depend on the company, the type of holding and the facts of your case. This is a general outline.

  1. 1

    Collect the death certificate and basic records

    Plus any papers relating to the holdings.

  2. 2

    Identify holdings and their status

    With the company/RTA or on IEPF.

  3. 3

    Decide the documentation category

    Based on nomination and claim value.

  4. 4

    Prepare and execute the documents

    Forms, indemnity, affidavits on the right stamp paper.

  5. 5

    File and follow up

    With the RTA or, for IEPF, through IEPF-5 and the company.

Document checklist

Checklist: transmission of securities after the holder's death

Applies to: Nominee, surviving joint holder or legal heir; listed securities (SEBI circular of 23 Jul 2026)

Common documents apply in all categories; extra documents depend on nomination and on whether the claim is QTP, simplified or above threshold. Thresholds: QTP ₹10,000 (physical) / ₹30,000 (demat); simplified ₹10 lakh (physical) / ₹30 lakh (demat).

Common documents (all claims)

  • Transmission request form (the SEBI-prescribed format for your category)
  • Latest CML of the claimant's demat account
  • Verifiable death certificateOriginal, nominee-attested copy checked against the original, copy attested by a notary / Gazetted Officer / JMFC, or one with a QR code.
  • Original security certificate(s) or copy of statement of account, as applicable
  • If a claimant is a minor: birth certificate, school-leaving certificate, passport or attested Aadhaar copy, and guardian's KYCIf applicable

Where nomination exists

  • Documents above are generally sufficient for the nominee(s)The nominee receives the assets as trustee for the legal heirs.

No nomination — QTP (low-value)

  • Request form-cum-undertaking on plain paper
  • Document establishing relationship (immediate relatives only: parents, spouse, children, parents-in-law)

No nomination — simplified documentation

  • Notarised indemnity bond
  • Notarised affidavit-cum-NOC from all legal heirs, or a family settlement deed attested as prescribedNot needed if you produce a court-issued succession certificate, probate, letter of administration or decree for these items.

No nomination — above threshold

  • Notarised affidavit-cum-NOC from all legal heirs
  • Copy of will with notarised indemnity bond, OR legal-heirship certificate from a revenue authority not below Tehsildar with indemnity bond, OR succession certificate / letter of administration / court decree

Death outside India

  • Certified true copy of the death certificate (notary/court abroad, consularisation, apostille, or certain overseas bank certification)If applicable
  • English translation, if the original is in another languageIf applicable

How IEPF Assist can help

  • Mapping the holdings and the right claim route
  • Preparing consistent documents for all heirs
  • Coordinating with RTAs, companies and the IEPF Authority

We are an independent consultancy. We help you prepare, organise and follow up — the decision on your request always rests with the company, the Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA), the depository or the relevant authority.

Expected stages and possible delays

We cannot promise a completion date, because processing depends on third parties. Common reasons for delay include:

  • Consents from many heirs
  • Stamp paper, notarisation and attestation time
  • Disputes
  • Verification at the company

Frequently asked questions

How do I claim my deceased father's shares?
First find where the shares are — with the company/RTA or with IEPF. Then follow transmission or IEPF-5 with the documents your category needs. Our guide walks through it.
Do I always need a succession certificate?
Not in every case. Under SEBI's July 2026 framework, depending on the category and value, other documents may be accepted. IEPF claims have their own list.

Related services

Share Transmission

Help transferring shares to nominees, joint holders or legal heirs after a shareholder's death, under SEBI's July 2026 framework.

Read more

Succession Certificate Assistance

Help understanding when a succession certificate is needed and preparing the facts and documents for the court application.

Read more

Deceased Shareholder Documentation

Help preparing death certificates, nominee and heir documents, affidavits and indemnities for claims on a deceased holder's securities.

Read more

IEPF Claim Assistance

Help preparing and following up an IEPF-5 claim for shares or dividends transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund.

Read more

Related articles

Discuss your case with us

Tell us what you know about the shares or documents. We will explain the likely route and what to keep ready.

Request Consultation

Last updated 18 Oct 2026. This page is general information, not legal or financial advice.

CallWhatsAppEnquire