You can find your shares primarily through your brokerage account, directly with the company's share registry, or by reviewing physical certificates if you hold them. The method depends on how you originally acquired and currently hold your shares.
Through Your Brokerage Account
For most modern investors, shares are held electronically in a brokerage account. This is the most common and convenient way to access information about your holdings.
How to Access:
- Online Platform: Log in to your online brokerage account using your username and password. Most brokers provide a dashboard where you can view your entire portfolio.
- Portfolio/Holdings Section: Once logged in, look for sections typically labeled "Portfolio," "Holdings," "Accounts," or "My Investments." This will display a list of all the shares you own, their quantities, current market values, and other relevant details.
- Account Statements: Brokerage firms regularly send out account statements, usually monthly or quarterly, via mail or electronically. These statements provide a detailed summary of your transactions, holdings, and account activity over a specific period.
Via the Company's Share Registry
A share registry (also known as a transfer agent) is a company that maintains the official register of shareholders for a particular company. If you purchased shares directly from a company (not through a broker), or if your shares were transferred to you, they might be held directly with the share registry.
How to Find Your Shares Through a Share Registry:
- Locating the Share Registry: To find the share registry for a specific company, visit that company's official website and look for an "Investor Relations" or "Shareholder Information" section. The details of their appointed share registry will typically be listed there.
- Contacting the Registry: Once you have the share registry's details, you can contact them directly. You will likely need to provide personal identification details (such as your name, address, and sometimes a shareholder reference number) to verify your ownership and access your account information. They can provide statements of holdings, dividend payment histories, and help with share transfers.
Physical Share Certificates
While less common today due to the move towards electronic holdings, some investors still possess physical share certificates. These are tangible documents proving ownership of a certain number of shares in a company.
If You Hold Physical Certificates:
- Secure Storage: If you have physical share certificates, it is crucial to keep them in a safe and secure location, such as a bank safe deposit box or a fireproof home safe.
- Replacement Process: If a physical certificate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to contact the company's share registry immediately. They will guide you through the process of obtaining a replacement, which often involves submitting an indemnity bond and paying a fee.
What If You're Unsure Where Your Shares Are?
If you're having trouble locating your shares, consider these practical steps:
- Review Old Documents: Check any financial statements, tax documents (such as dividend statements or Forms 1099-B), or correspondence from financial institutions or companies. These often contain account numbers, broker names, or share registry details.
- Check Bank Statements: Look for records of dividend payments. These payments are typically made from the company or its share registry and can provide clues about where your shares are held.
- Contact Previous Financial Advisors: If you've worked with financial advisors in the past, they might have records of your investments.
- Search for Unclaimed Property: In some regions, if shares or dividends remain unclaimed for an extended period, they may be turned over to a state or government's unclaimed property division. You can search these databases using your name.
