Here's What You Need to Know About Stock Certificates

by Matteo Micheletti May 16, 2018

Stocks represent partial ownership in a company and serve as the foundation of almost every portfolio. While the records of ownership are usually in electronic form, companies have the option of issuing a paper version of this record, known as a stock certificate. This physical document is proof that you own shares at a particular company.

The Important Details in a Stock Certificate

When a company issues a stock certificate to the shareholder, it typically includes the following information:

Numbers – The face of the stock certificate would usually show groups of The first is the certificate number, unique for each certificate, issued by the company for tracking purposes. Another group of numbers also used for tracking purposes is the CUSIP number issued by the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures. Besides these two “tracking” numbers, the certificate would show the number of shares an individual owns.
Names – An individual who owns a stock certificate will find a couple of names printed on the document. Apart from bearing the name of the shareholder, the certificate would also show the name of the corporation.
Dates – The certificate would have a date indicating the day when the individual became the owner of the company shares.
Signatures and Seals – A majority of the certificates bear the signature of the company representative and the individual responsible for registering the company. It may also feature a seal of authenticity.

Using a Stock Certificate

If you’re in possession of a stock certificate, you have the option to cash in this physical document. When doing so, you will need to get in touch with a broker or speak with the company that issued the certificate.

If you’re holding a certificate for an existing company, you can give it to a stock brokerage firm and have the stock credited to your account. You then have the option to hold on to that stock or sell it and get the money.

On the other hand, if the stock certificate bears the name of the company that is no longer in business, you need to determine if the document is still valid. If it is still valid, then you need to figure out how much it’s worth. You can look up and reach out to the company’s transfer agent, which takes care of the stock-related transactions on the business’s behalf.

Custom-Printed Stock Certificates for Companies

Companies looking to issue stock certificates to their shareholders can turn to Stock Certificates. We produce the following certificates for our valued clients:

Standard Stock Certificates – We print these certificates using high-quality bond paper to give them a luxurious and rich feel.
NFP Stock Certificates - This type of certificate is for not-for-profit corporations. These certificates usually serve as a membership certificate to officially recognize donors.
LP Stock Certificates – LP certificates are for Limited Partnership corporations, an organization that combines the characteristics of a partnership with that of a limited company.
LLC Stock Certificates – This type of certificate is for a Limited Liability Company, a hybrid entity that merges the liability-shield advantages of a corporation with the tax pass-through benefits of a partnership.

When you order affordable stock certificates from us, you can fully customize them to satisfy the needs of your company. Additionally, you can count on us to ship your order on the same day if you place it before 5 PM Eastern Time.