Dematerialization (Demat) is the process of converting physical share certificates into an electronic form to facilitate easy trading and management through a Demat account.

Dematerialization offers several advantages:

• Eliminates the risk of loss, theft, or damage to certificates.

• Enables faster and smoother transactions.

• Complies with regulatory requirements for share trading in electronic form.

Yes, as per regulatory norms in most countries (e.g., India’s SEBI), physical shares cannot be traded or transferred unless converted into electronic form.

• Open a Demat account with a depository participant (DP) like a bank or broker.

• Submit the physical share certificates with a Dematerialization Request Form (DRF).

• The DP verifies and forwards the request to the respective company registrar.

• Upon approval, shares are credited to your Demat account.

If damaged, submit the certificate to the company registrar for reissuance.

If lost, you must:

• File a police complaint and obtain a copy of the FIR.

• Publish an advertisement in the newspaper.

• Submit an indemnity bond to the company registrar for duplicate issuance.

No, physical shares must be dematerialized to sell or transfer, as trading physical shares is not allowed under current regulations.

The process usually takes 15–30 days from the submission of a complete request.

You will need to update the records with the company registrar. Submit a name change request along with supporting documents like an affidavit or marriage certificate.

The Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) is a fund established by the Government of India under the Companies Act, 2013, to promote investor awareness and protect the interests of investors. It also facilitates the recovery of unclaimed funds and shares transferred to it by companies.

The following types of unclaimed amounts are transferred to the IEPF:

• Dividends (unpaid/unclaimed for 7 consecutive years)

• Matured deposits and debentures

• Application money due for refund

• Sale proceeds of fractional shares from mergers or amalgamations

• Redemption amount of preference shares

• Other unclaimed or unpaid amounts as per legal provisions.

You can visit the IEPF Authority’s website (www.iepf.gov.in) and use the “Search Investor Wise” feature to check if your funds or shares are transferred to the IEPF.

Typically, you’ll need:

• Duly filled Form IEPF-5

• PAN card copy

• Aadhaar or other identity proof

• Original share certificates (if applicable)

• Cancelled cheque

• Address proof

• Indemnity bond and affidavit

• Proof of entitlement (dividend warrants, application forms, etc.)

Yes, legal heirs, successors, or nominees can claim unclaimed funds or shares from the IEPF. They need to provide additional documents, such as:

• Succession certificate

• Probate of will

• Legal heir certificate (as applicable)

Transmission of physical shares refers to the process of transferring the ownership of shares from a deceased shareholder to their legal heir(s) or nominee(s).

The following documents are generally required:

• Death Certificate: A certified copy of the shareholder's death certificate.

• Succession Certificate or Probate: If applicable, a certified copy of the probate of the will or succession certificate.

• Share Certificate(s): Original physical share certificates.

• Indemnity Bond: An indemnity bond to protect the company from any future claims.

• Affidavit: A notarized affidavit affirming the claim.

• KYC Documents: Proof of identity and address of the claimant(s).

• Nomination Form (if applicable): If the shares are nominated, the nominee's claim form.

Yes, if only, the value of the shares is below file lakh ruppees.

If there are multiple claimants, they must submit a no-objection certificate (NOC) from other legal heirs or provide proof of mutual consent for the transmission of shares to a specific heir.