What to do when a Computershare account holder dies
Report the death to Computershare's Estate Hub
What happens to Computershare registered shareholdings after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Computershare's Estate Hub to claim the funds.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Computershare:
Filing a claim
- The deceased shareholder's full name and the name of the company in which the shares are held
- The account number, which begins with "C" and appears on a recent statement. If the shareholder has no Social Security number on file, the account number must be used to locate the accounts
- The shareholder's address and the ZIP code on the account
- The date of death and the country, and state where applicable, of legal residence at death, which the wizard uses to determine the required documentation
- For each recipient: full name, email address, mailing address, account type and, optionally, a taxpayer identification number
- It can transfer shares into an account registered in the estate of the deceased shareholder, or to one or more recipients according to the will
- To move the shares to a brokerage account, contact the stockbroker to start that transfer
- All surviving registered holders, or a legally authorized representative, sign the "Authorized Signatures" section (section 8), with a medallion signature guarantee for each signature
- Someone signing for the registered holder writes their capacity next to the signature, as in Computershare's examples "John Smith, Executor" and "John Smith, Custodian"
- A notary seal is not accepted in place of the medallion stamp
- A US resident whose total account value for the stock is under $10,000 may use the Medallion Waiver Option instead of the stamp
- For several recipients, photocopy the "New Holder/Recipient" page before completing it, one per recipient, each showing the number of shares, not a percentage
- Once Computershare has received the Transfer Package, the deceased transfer wizard says to allow up to 3 business days for processing to be completed
- If the transfer cannot be processed because documentation is missing or incomplete, Computershare contacts the sender for more information
- The Estate Hub says processing times vary with the complexity of the estate and the documents and information required, and that Computershare keeps you informed along the way
- On completion a statement is sent to the new holder. It cannot be sent to a third party
Required Documents
- Transfer Request form from the deceased-shareholder packageSigned in section 8 by all surviving registered holders or a legally authorized representative, with the signer's capacity next to the signature (for example "John Smith, Executor").
- Medallion signature guarantee on each signature, or the Medallion Waiver Option, for a US resident whose total account value for the stock is under $10,000The waiver takes a non-refundable $50 check payable to Computershare and a copy of a government-issued picture ID, such as a license or passport. A notary seal is not acceptable.
- Original or certified copy of the owner's death certificate, for a transfer to a transfer-on-death beneficiaryRequired by TOD Rule 8, with an endorsement by the surviving beneficiaries and any inheritance tax waivers.
- The will or letters of administration, and a certified death certificate, for an account not registered transfer on death or with right of survivorshipComputershare's checklist lists these, with the Affidavit of Domicile and any inheritance tax waiver, as the legal documents usually needed.
- Documents showing the signer's identity, legal authority and capacity, presented to the institution that gives the medallion signature guaranteeBelow $14 million, Computershare does not require copies of the legal documents but may require other documentation for tax purposes. Above $14 million, call Computershare for further requirements.
- Form W-9 for the new holderIncluded with the Transfer Request form. Until tax certification is received, Computershare must withhold taxes on dividends and other cash distributions.
- Form W-8BEN for the new holder, in the package for a decedent who was not a US residentUntil certification is received, Computershare must withhold US taxes on dividends and other cash distributions.
- Inheritance Tax Waiver form, from the state tax agency, where required, depending on the decedent's state of legal residence and date of deathComputershare's package lists Alabama, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia.
- Notarized Affidavit of Domicile, if the decedent's state does not require an Inheritance Tax Waiver formAttests to the decedent's state of residency. A blank form is included in the package.
- Inheritance Tax Waiver stamp, as an alternative to the Affidavit of DomicileCertifies that no inheritance tax waiver is required and is placed next to the section 8 signature. It may be obtained from the institution providing the medallion signature guarantee.
- Original stock certificates, for any certificated holdingLost certificates must be replaced before the shares can transfer.
- IRS Federal Transfer Certificate, or a notarized letter from the estate representative, for a decedent who was not a US residentThe letter states that the decedent was neither a US citizen nor a US resident at death, died on or after January 1, 1977, and had a gross US estate of no more than US$60,000 on the date of death.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Computershare issues2
- Transfer Package, pre-populated by the deceased transfer wizard
Completed by all surviving registered holders or a legally authorized representative, with a medallion signature guarantee. Completed online.1
- Deceased-shareholder package for a non-US-resident decedent (0251ZC_WEB_ONLY)
Available to download.2
What happens to each kind of account6
- Payable-on-death account
Shares registered transfer on death go directly to the named person with no probate needed. Computershare's checklist says to skip ahead to the transfer step.3
Under TOD Rule 8 the transfer needs an endorsement by the surviving beneficiaries with acceptable signature verification, an original or certified copy of the owner's death certificate, and any required inheritance tax waivers.4
Under TOD Rule 9, if no beneficiary survives the owner, the shares belong to the owner's estate, and the transfer needs an endorsement by the executor or administrator with a medallion signature guarantee.4
- Joint account with survivorship
Shares held with right of survivorship, as joint tenants or tenants by the entirety, pass automatically to the surviving holder. Computershare's checklist says to skip ahead to the transfer step.3
A surviving joint holder completes a Transfer Request to move the shares to a new account in their name, and either provides an original or certified copy of the death certificate or obtains a medallion signature guarantee for each signature.5
For a joint account registered in transfer-on-death form, TOD Rule 7 requires an original or certified copy of the co-owner's death certificate or an endorsement by all surviving co-owners with a medallion signature guarantee, plus any inheritance tax waivers.4
- Account in one name
For shares not registered transfer on death or with right of survivorship, Computershare's checklist says you will usually need court documents that give someone legal permission to manage the account.3
- Custodial account (UTMA/UGMA)
If the custodian of a minor's account dies, a new custodian must be designated through a general transfer package for the new custodian.6
- Directly registered shares
To transfer all of the decedent's investment plan shares, enter the exact number held, including any partial share.5
Account features such as direct deposit or reinvestment of dividends do not carry over to the new account; the new holder sets them up again.5
- Employee stock purchase plan shares
For employee stock purchase plan shares, Computershare says to contact the deceased person's plan administrator for how to transfer them.5
What Computershare's agreement and guidance say6
- What it says about taxes
If section 10 is not fully completed, the transfer is treated as a gift, unless Computershare receives documentation that it is a decedent transfer (an Affidavit of Domicile), in which case it is treated as an inheritance.5
Shares transferred out of an account use Computershare's default cost-basis calculation, first in, first out, unless it is instructed otherwise.5
- Fees
Computershare does not charge a fee to transfer stock, but the institution that provides the medallion signature guarantee may charge one.5
- How proceeds are paid
Uncashed checks are not reissued in the new holder's name. Checking box 7 on the Transfer Request reissues them as originally issued, sent to the address of record for the original account.5
- Payments after the death
Under TOD Rule 10, neither the issuer nor Computershare is responsible to a TOD beneficiary for dividends and other distributions paid before the shares are presented in proper form for transfer.4
- Disputes between claimants
Under TOD Rule 11, Computershare has no duty to locate a TOD beneficiary, or to transfer shares to a TOD beneficiary once it receives notice from a claimant of an interest in them.4
- Who can get account information
Computershare verifies the requester's authority to access the account information before proceeding with any request in the estate process.6
Sources6
- 1.Transfer My Stock: Deceased transfer
- 2.Transfer Request, deceased-shareholder package for a non-US-resident decedent (0251ZC_WEB_ONLY)
- 3.Steps to Handle Shareholder Assets After a Loss
- 4.Transfer Form - Transfer on Death Registration - Beneficiary Designation, with the Computershare TOD Rules (02I3QA_WEB), REV. 4/20
- 5.Transfer Request, deceased-shareholder package (026E5A_PRV78_WEB), REV. 6/20
- 6.Estate Hub
Within 10 business days of receipt, depending on the type of transfer requested.
Sources
- computershare.com
- cda.computershare.com
- content-assets.computershare.com
- transferstock.computershare.com
- deceasedestates.computershare.com
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Data sourced from Computershare primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Computershare death claims support
Estate Hub
Mailing address
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