What to do when an AST account holder dies
Report the death to AST's Deceased Shareholder Transfers at 1-800-937-5449
AST is now part of EQ Shareowner ServicesAcquired, effective December 2021
Affiliates of Siris Capital Group completed the acquisition of AST and the combination of Equiniti and AST on December 14, 2021; Equiniti Trust Company, LLC is the new name for American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. astfinancial.com redirects to EQ's AST Access site, which states "AST is now EQ." Legacy AST-registered shares are still serviced on the AST book (Shareholder Central at us.astfinancial.com; call center 800-937-5449). Equiniti's owner Siris agreed on May 5, 2026 to sell Equiniti to Bullish (NYSE: BLSH) in a $4.2 billion transaction expected to close in January 2027, subject to regulatory approval — that deal does not change how an estate transfers AST-registered shares today.
After an account holder at AST dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact AST's Deceased Shareholder Transfers at 1-800-937-5449 with the proper legal authority documents.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what AST requires:
Filing a claim
- Call 800-937-5449 (direct 718-921-8157; outside the US and Canada 718-921-8124).
- Or ask through GET HELP on the AST Access contact page, inquiry type "Transfer Instructions". EQ replies within five business days.
- Section A: the account number, the company of stock, and the registration exactly as it reads on statements and certificates. Use one form per account and per company of stock.
- Section B: all shares, or the specific number of DRS, plan and certificate shares being transferred.
- Section C (cost basis): check Inheritance and enter the date of death and the fair market value per share.
- For shares held jointly, Section C also takes the number of shares in which the decedent had an interest.
- Section F: the new registration (Individual, Joint Tenancy, Tenants in Common, Tenants by Entirety, Estate, Trust or TOD Beneficiary), with the new address and Tax ID.
- For an estate, use Lines 1 and 4a (for example "John Smith Executor for the estate of Jane Smith"); for a trust, Lines 1, 4a and 4b. Use a separate copy of that page for each new account.
- Do not alter, correct or white-out anything; that makes the form invalid.
- The legal representative signs in the capacity shown on the existing registration, not the new one.
- A notary seal is never a substitute. The stamp must be fully legible and must not be dated or annotated.
- Guarantors are eligible financial institutions: commercial banks, trust companies, brokers, credit unions and savings institutions in a Medallion program.
- EQ also points US residents to eSignatureGuarantee.com (promo code EQ for a discount; $500,000 transaction limit).
- For transfers with an aggregate value of $10,000 or less, US residents may use the Medallion Signature Guarantee Waiver instead.
Required Documents
- Completed Stock Power FormWith a Medallion Signature Guarantee in Section E. One form per account and per company of stock.
- Copy of the death certificate(s)
- Certificate of Appointment, or the Small Estate Affidavit; not needed for a TOD beneficiary's claimDated within 90 days; within 6 months if issued in New York, within 1 year if issued in Connecticut.
- Small Estate Affidavit, in place of the Certificate of AppointmentOf the state in which the shareholder was domiciled.
- Inheritance Tax Waiver, if the decedent lived in Puerto Rico or one of the 16 states EQ lists: AL, HI, IL, IN, MO, MT, NJ, NY, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SD, TN, WVThe date of death is a factor in whether one is actually needed.
- Substitute Form W-9, signed by the new owner in Section GWithout it, EQ must withhold on dividends and cash distributions.
- Original stock certificates, for certificate sharesLost certificates must be replaced first: written notice, a bond of indemnity and a $75 processing fee.
- Notarized Affidavit of Domicile, where EQ asks for oneEQ's AST FAQ says it is required to transfer a deceased shareholder's shares; the current Stock Power package does not enclose the form. Confirm at 800-937-5449 before mailing.
- Check payable to Equiniti Trust Company, with the Medallion Signature Guarantee Waiver, which US residents may use for transfers with an aggregate value of $10,000 or less$100 under $5,000 total transfer value; $200 from $5,000 to $10,000.
- Copy of a valid government-issued photo ID with a signature, with the Medallion Signature Guarantee Waiver
- Documents showing the signer's capacity, with the Medallion Signature Guarantee Waiver
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms AST issues1
- Stock Power Form (AST Transfer of Ownership Package)
Completed by the surviving joint owner, the TOD beneficiary, or the estate's legal representative. Available to download.1
What happens to each kind of account1
What AST's agreement and guidance say3
- Powers of attorney
A power of attorney is null and void once the maker has died.2
- Fees
EQ charges no transfer fee.2
- What it says about taxes
EQ says cost basis on an inherited holding defaults to the fair market value on the date of death, unless the authorized estate representative provides an alternate valuation date, which must then be applied consistently to all assets.2
Typically within five business days after the paperwork is received in good order, absent restrictions on the account.
AST's Deceased Shareholder Transfers can be reached by phone at 1-800-937-5449 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from AST primary sources (13 pages reviewed). How we research.
AST death claims support
Deceased Shareholder Transfers (AST Shareholder Services)
Phone
Transfers desk (direct)
Outside the US and Canada
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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