What to do when a Broadridge account holder dies
Report the death to Broadridge's Legal Transfers at 1-800-353-0103
When an account holder at Broadridge passes away, the next step depends on how the registered shareholdings were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with Broadridge's Legal Transfers (1-800-353-0103) to access and distribute the funds.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Broadridge:
Filing a claim
- Broadridge runs per-company call centers and IVR lines, listed through the issuer search.
- The general Broadridge North America line is 1-800-353-0103 (option 3). The knowledge center names online chat as the fastest channel.
- Domestic Shareholders (DOM_LTF V8.3) for a U.S. decedent.
- International Shareholders (INTL_LTF 1.0) when the deceased owner was not a U.S. citizen or resident.
- Medallion path, required for any transfer of $10,000 or more: obtain a Medallion Signature Guarantee.
- With a valid guarantee, a deceased owner's transfer needs only a notarized Affidavit of Domicile (Appendix A of the package) and an Inheritance Tax Waiver if the decedent's state requires one.
- Medallion waiver path, for U.S. residents with transfers valued at $10,000 or less: send the waiver documents listed below instead of a guarantee.
Required Documents
- Completed Legal Transfer FormBoth pages, signed in the signer's legal capacity: the domestic form (V8.3), or the international form (1.0) for a non-U.S. decedent. A legal representative signs with the capacity stated.
- Notarized Affidavit of Domicile, for deceased-shareholder transfers onlyAppendix A of the transfer package.
- Inheritance Tax Waiver, where the decedent's state requires oneFrom the state tax agency. States Broadridge names: AL, HI, IL, IN, MO, MT, NJ, NY, ND, OH, OK, PA, PR, RI and TN. Elsewhere only the Affidavit of Domicile goes with the form.
- Medallion Signature Guarantee, required for any transfer valued at $10,000 or moreFrom a bank, broker or credit union in a Medallion program. Broadridge points to msglookup.com for a local guarantor and to eSignature Guarantee (promo code "BROADRIDGE") online.
- $100 check or money order in USD payable to Broadridge, with the Medallion waiver, for a U.S. resident's transfer of $10,000 or lessNon-refundable.
- Copy of a signed government-issued photo ID, with the Medallion waiver
- Copy of the death certificate, with the Medallion waiver
- Certificate of Appointment, with the Medallion waiverDated within 90 days (6 months for New York, 1 year for Connecticut).
- Small estate affidavit, with the Medallion waiver, in place of the Certificate of AppointmentOf the state where the shareholder was domiciled.
- All original stock certificates, for certificated sharesCopies are not accepted. Certificates submitted are converted to DRS book-entry rather than returned.
- Substitute IRS Form W-9, or Form W-8BEN / W-8BEN-E, W-9 for a U.S. new holder; W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E for a non-U.S. new holder
- IRS Transfer Certificate, or a notarized letter from the estate representative, for a non-U.S. decedentThe letter states that the decedent was not a U.S. citizen or resident, died on or after January 1, 1977, and had a U.S. gross estate not over $60,000.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Broadridge issues2
- Legal Transfer Form - Domestic Shareholders (DOM_LTF V8.3)
Completed by the legal representative, signing in that capacity. Available to download.1
- Legal Transfer Form - International Shareholders (INTL_LTF 1.0)
Completed by the legal representative, signing in that capacity. Available to download.2
What happens to each kind of account1
- Directly registered shares
If Broadridge receives documentation that the shareholder is deceased, the transfer defaults to inheritance. Once the transfer is completed, a confirmation statement is sent to the new holder.3
What Broadridge provides to the estate1
- Date-of-death balance letter
Inside the investor portal, an Account Value statement can be generated for date-of-death valuation.4
What Broadridge's agreement and guidance say2
- Indemnity a claimant may have to give
For a lost certificate, expect a stop transfer, an open-penalty surety bond (premium about 2 to 4 percent of current share value, from an insurer licensed in New York, naming Broadridge and the issuer as obligee) and a Lost Certificate Administrative fee.3
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
An account with no owner-initiated contact can be escheated to the decedent's last known state.3
Most transfers are completed within 5 to 10 business days after all documents are received in good order.
Broadridge's Legal Transfers can be reached by phone at 1-800-353-0103, email at shareholder@broadridge.com, and fax at 1-215-553-5402 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Broadridge primary sources (12 pages reviewed). How we research.
Broadridge death claims support
Legal Transfers (Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, inheritance transfers)
Phone
Fax
Mailing address
Website
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