Shareholder FAQ

The following frequently asked questions are provided to help shareholders learn more about different stock transfer scenarios and general account information.

How do I obtain a Medallion Signature Guarantee?

See our Medallion Signature Guarantee page.

What is Restricted Stock?

This generally refers to stock purchased in a private placement directly from an issuer before the company is public. Restricted stock also may have been acquired through a corporate reorganization or acquisition, in return for services, or purchased from an original shareholder. Restricted stock frequently will have a legend printed on the back of the stock certificate(s) stating that the shares cannot be sold or transferred without either registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or an exemption from such registration, such as meeting the requirements of Rule 144. However, the absence of a legend does not mean that there are no restrictions on the sale of the shares. See also Removing a Restricted Legend.

What shareholder information is required to issue stock?
  1. 1. Name of Shareholder: Full name as on birth certificate, drivers license, or passport (No Initials).
  2. 2. Unique Government Identification Number: (Required for OFAC Compliance, Dividend Reporting (1099s), and Identity Protection.)
  3. U.S. Shareholders: Social Security or Tax ID Number
  4. Canadian Shareholders: Social Identification or Business Identification Number
  5. Other Foreign Shareholders: Passport or other Government Issued ID Number
  6. 3. Mailing Address
Where do I send certificates for transfer?

All transfer requests should be mailed to: Colonial Stock Transfer Company, Attn: Transfer Dept to the address listed on our Contact Us page. It is recommended that you insure and include tracking on the shipment. A surety bond may need to be purchased if the stock certificates are lost. See our Lost Certificates page for more information.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept free online, check, credit card and wire payments. To obtain credit card or wiring instructions please contact us.

*Please note bounced check fees may apply.

How do I transfer shares to another person?

Example:
From: John A. Doe
To: Mary Q. Smith

Send the original stock certificate, Transfer Instruction Letter (downloadable from our Shareholder Forms page), and applicable fees. For additional instructions, please visit our Stock Transfer Guide.

How do I transfer shares from a custodian to a minor who is now of age?

Example:
From: John A. Doe, Custodian for Jane A. Doe, UGMA VA
To: Jane A. Doe

Have the custodian send the original stock certificate, Transfer Instruction Letter (downloadable from our Shareholder Forms page), applicable fees, and a certified copy of the minor’s birth certificate, passport or drivers license. For additional instructions, please visit our Stock Transfer Guide.

How do I transfer shares from a US citizen decedent?

Example:
From: John A. Doe (decedent, US citizen)
To: Mary J. Johnson

The executor(s) or administrator(s) of the estate must provide Colonial with the original certificate(s) and the following:

  1. 1. Transfer Instruction Letter, assigning the stock to the beneficiary and endorsing the stock. All signatures must be guaranteed with a Medallion Signature Guarantee. Please send payment for the fees listed in the transfer instruction letter, including the legal fee for decedent transfers. This form can be downloaded from our Shareholder Forms page.
  2. 2. A notarized Affidavit of Domicile. This can be downloaded from our Shareholder Forms page.
  3. 3. A certified copy of the death certificate.
  4. 4. A (probate) court certified copy of the Appointment of the Executor/Administrator, dated and certified within 60 days of the transfer request. If the decedent’s estate has not been probated, instead of providing the Appointment of the Executor/Administrator, you may provide one of the following:
    • A Small Estate Affidavit or other official document which lists the legal heirs and their signatures certified by the probate court of the decedent’s State of residence within 6 months of the date of transfer. Please note that the value of the estate must not exceed small estate statute limits. You can visit the Securities Transfer Association (STA) website www.stai.org and view the STA Guidelines, Appendix VII for requirements.
    • Waiver of Probate insurance bond: By purchasing an insurance bond the requirement to have the estate probated will be waived. An insurance bond protects Colonial and its clients from any liabilities incurred in the future. You may obtain an insurance bond independently from an insurance company of your choice. However, as a courtesy you may purchase a bond from our insurance provider. Please note that when using a Waiver of Probate Bond, the decedent's estate value must not exceed small estate statute limits. In addition to the bond premium and transfer processing fees, you will be required to pay a $25 convenience fee for all Waiver of Probate transactions.
  5. 5. An Inheritance Tax Waiver is required if the decedent resided in one of the following states: Alabama, Hawaii, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, and Tennessee. If an inheritance tax waiver is not required, the Medallion Guarantor will affix a tax waiver stamp on the transfer instruction letter. To obtain an inheritance tax waiver, beneficiaries should contact the state's Revenue or Tax Department and view the STA Guidelines, Appendix VI, for requirements varied by state.

For additional instructions, please visit our Stock Transfer Guide.

How do I transfer shares from a foreign decedent?

Example:
From: John A. Doe (decedent, foreign national)
To: Mary J. Johnson

The executor(s) or administrator(s) of the estate must provide Colonial with the original certificate(s) and the following:

  1. 1. Transfer Instruction Letter, assigning the stock to the beneficiary and endorsing the stock. All signatures must be guaranteed with a Medallion Signature Guarantee. Please send payment for the fees listed in the transfer instruction letter, including the legal fee for decedent transfers. This form can be downloaded from our Shareholder Forms page.
  2. 2. A notarized Affidavit of Domicile. This can be downloaded from our Shareholder Forms page.
  3. 3. A certified copy of the death certificate.
  4. 4. A (probate) court certified copy of the Appointment of the Executor/Administrator, dated and certified within 60 days of the transfer request. If the decedent’s estate has not been probated, instead of providing the Appointment of the Executor/Administrator, you may provide one of the following:
    • A Small Estate Affidavit or other official document which lists the legal heirs and their signatures certified by the probate court of the decedent’s State of residence within 6 months of the date of transfer. Please note that the value of the estate must not exceed small estate statute limits. You can visit the Securities Transfer Association (STA) website www.stai.org and view the STA Guidelines, Appendix VII for requirements.
    • Waiver of Probate insurance bond: By purchasing an insurance bond the requirement to have the estate probated will be waived. An insurance bond protects Colonial and its clients from any liabilities incurred in the future. You may obtain an insurance bond independently from an insurance company of your choice. However, as a courtesy you may purchase a bond from our insurance provider. Please note that when using a Waiver of Probate Bond, the decedent's estate value must not exceed small estate statute limits. In addition to the bond premium and transfer processing fees, you will be required to pay a $25 convenience fee for all Waiver of Probate transactions.
  5. 5. A Federal Transfer Certificate obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, or a notarized affidavit by a legal representative. The affidavit must state that the deceased shareholder, at the date of death, was neither a resident nor a citizen of the U.S., and the portion of the Estate situated in the U.S. did not exceed:
    • $60,000 for death's after January 1, 1977,
    • $30,000 for death's between November 14, 1966 and December 31, 1976, or
    • $2,000 for death's before November 14, 1966.
    If the estate exceeds the allotted amount, then a Federal Transfer Certificate is required. Note, however, if a United States Executor or administrator is appointed for the foreign deceased shareholder, a Federal Transfer Certificate or affidavit is not required.
    To obtain a Federal Transfer Certificate contact the IRS at:
    Estate Tax Group S:SE:SP:EG:EC:1205
    IRS SB/SE Estate and Gift Tax Program
    820 First St., N.E.: UCP-CNN-730
    Washington, DC 20002-4243
    202) 874-1660

For additional instructions, please visit our Stock Transfer Guide.

How do I transfer shares from a decedent joint tenant?

Example:
From: John A. Doe and Mary J. Doe JT TEN
To: Mary J. Doe

The surviving tenant(s) must submit the original certificate(s) and the following:

  1. 1. Transfer Instruction Letter, assigning the stock to the beneficiary and endorsing the stock. All signatures must be guaranteed with a Medallion Signature Guarantee. Please send payment for the fees listed in the transfer instruction letter, including the legal fee for decedent transfers. This form can be downloaded from our Shareholder Forms page.
  2. 2. A notarized Affidavit of Domicile. This form can be downloaded from our Shareholder Forms page.
  3. 3. A certified copy of the death certificate.

For additional instructions, please visit our Stock Transfer Guide.

How do I change the name (e.g. legal name change) on my shares?

Example:
From: Mary A. Doe
To: Mary A. Smith

Complete a One and the Same Form or endorse the certificate as follows: "Mary A. Doe , now known as Mary A. Smith." A Medallion Signature Guarantee must be obtained for the endorsement in either case. The One and the Same Form can be downloaded from our Shareholder Forms page. For additional instructions, please see our Stock Transfer Guide.

How do I transfer my shares into a trust registration?

Example:
From: Robert and Kim Brown JT TEN
To: Robert Brown and Kim Brown, trustees [or TR for the Brown Trust, dated [or U/A] November 21, 2000

Submit the original certificate(s) including the following:

  1. 1. Transfer Instruction Letter, endorsed by all of the registered shareholders with a Medallion Signature Guarantee applied to the endorsement. This can be downloaded from our Shareholder Forms page.
  2. 2. Please provide a copy of the first and last pages of the trust for verification purposes.

For additional instructions, please visit our Stock Transfer Guide.

How do I transfer my shares from a trust registration?

Example:
From: Robert and Kim Brown, TRS for the Brown Trust, dated [or U/A] November 21, 2000
To: Robert and Kim Brown JT Ten

Submit the original certificate(s) including the following:

  1. 1. Transfer Instruction Letter, endorsed by all of the trustees of the trust with a Medallion Signature Guarantee applied to the endorsement. This can be downloaded from our Shareholder Forms page.
  2. 2. Please provide a copy of the trust for verification purposes.

For additional instructions, please visit our Stock Transfer Guide.

How can I replace lost certificates?

Colonial can help shareholders replace stock certificates that have been lost or stolen. For specific information and details, please read the Lost Securities page in our shareholders section.

How can I change my address?

You may notify us of an address change by completing the Address Change Form and sending it to Colonial by email, fax or mail. We request that you leave a phone number so that we can contact you to verify your personal account information. These security measures are requested to ensure your privacy protection.

How can I obtain general information regarding my account information?

You may obtain general information regarding your account by contacting us. Please have your personal information ready for account verification and the name of the security that you own. You can also receive account information by writing to our address found on the contact us page. Be sure to include the name of the security that you own and any other information related to your question. Most correspondence will have a response mailed within five business days of the letter being received by the Investor Relations Department.