MAKE YOUR FREE Share certificate

A share certificate, also known as a stock certificate is a document used as legal proof that the person named on it is a member of the stated company and holds shares in that company.

A company must issue share certificates for its shareholders within two months of its formation or the date of a new share issue or transfer. An issue of shares only becomes binding on a new shareholder when the company notifies them with this stock certificate.

Use this share certificate for:

• new individual shareholders in:
  • a recently formed company
  • an existing company issuing more shares
• existing individual shareholders:
  • receiving transferred shares
  • that have lost their certificates

This share certificate covers the key information needed, including:

• name and address of the shareholder
• number of shares held by the shareholder
• type of shares (ordinary)
• share price
• date of issue
• a unique share certificate number
• details of the company issuing the shares

You will need to create a share certificate to give to shareholders when you first create a company or when you issue or transfer new shares. 

Ask a lawyer for advice if a shareholder has shares of:

• a class other than ordinary
• more than one class