Lost old shares or dividends? Here’s how to reclaim them via the IEPF portal
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Old dividends that aren’t claimed for seven straight years, and the shares linked to them, are transferred to the IEPF. That doesn’t mean you’ve lost them forever. If you can prove you’re the rightful owner (or legal heir), you can file a claim and have the shares or money returned to your demat or bank account.
What moves to IEPF
When a company pays a dividend and no one claims it for seven years, the unpaid dividend and the related shares go to IEPF. This can happen after mergers, name changes, address changes, or simply forgotten folios. The fund holds them in your name until you file a claim.
How to check if something is owed to you
Go to the IEPF website and use the search tool with your name or PAN. If your details appear, note the company name, folio/client ID, and the number of shares or dividend amount. Keep a screenshot or printout—those details go into your claim form.
Filing the claim (simple flow)
Download and fill Form IEPF-5 online, attach scanned proofs, submit, and print the acknowledgment. Then courier the signed acknowledgment and documents to the company’s nodal officer. The company verifies and sends its report to IEPF. After approval, shares are credited to your demat and dividends to your bank.
Documents you’ll need
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Keep self-attested copies of PAN, Aadhaar, bank proof (cancelled cheque), demat client ID, and old share certificates or dividend warrants if available. For joint holders, include all signatures. For a deceased holder, attach a succession certificate/probate or legal-heir documents.
Tips that speed things up
Make sure your name, DOB, and address match across PAN, Aadhaar, demat, and bank. If there are spelling changes or a maiden/married name, include a Gazette/name-change proof. If signatures have changed, add a banker’s verification. One neat packet beats back-and-forth queries.
How long it can take
Most claims finish in a few months, but it depends on how quickly the company verifies your papers. Use your acknowledgment number to track status online. If it stalls, email the company’s nodal officer with your details and follow up once a fortnight.
Bottom line
Unclaimed shares and dividends don’t disappear. Look yourself up on the IEPF portal, file Form IEPF-5 with clean documents, and follow through with the company’s nodal officer. A weekend of paperwork can recover assets you thought were gone.