How To Convert Physical Shares Into Demat

How to Convert Physical Shares into Demat

The stock market is at its lifetime highs. If you own physical shares, then this would be the best time to convert physical shares into demat form. This is because physical shares cannot be traded in the Indian stock market anymore. It was introduced in the year 1996. Before this, investors used to trade physical shares. But physical share trading was risky and time-consuming. Dematerialisation mitigates all those risks and limitations involved in physical share trading. Let us quickly take a look at how to convert physical shares into demat. In this article:

Introduction to Demat
Process of Converting Shares into Demat
Documents Required to Open a Demat
FAQs

What is Dematerialisation?

It is the process of converting physical securities into electronic form. Shares can be held physically as share certificates. However, to transfer or sell them we need to convert them into demat. As per the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) only shares in electronic form can be sold or transferred.

How to convert physical shares into demat form? – The process

Here’s a quick checklist for converting physical shares into demat form

1. Opening a demat account

Opening a demat has become easier than ever with paperless and online account opening facilities. Here are points to keep in mind before account opening for converting physical shares into demat form:

Demat account should be in the name of the shareholder

Demat account should be opened in the name of the share certificate holder only. The owner of physical share certificates will receive the share in demat account. The shares in demat account can then be sold or transferred.

The order of holding remains same as physical shares

The first holder and second holder on the form should remain same as they were on physical shares. So basically, the sequence of owners should remain the same electronically, as it was physically. Documentation required for opening a demat account: 1. Identity proof

PAN card – This is mandatory for every investor.
Unique Identification Number (UIN) – Aadhaar card or Passport or Election card.

2. Address proof

Ration card with address
Water bill in your name
Telephone bill in your name
Electricity bill in your name
Bank statement

3. Bank proof

Personalized cancelled cheque
Bank account statements - past six months
Passbook

4. Income proof

Salary slip
Personalized cancelled cheque
Bank account statements - past six months
Passbook

5. Passport size photographs Preparation of these documents will get you a step closer to converting physical shares into demat form. We need to check the current market value of the company whose share certificates are held by us. It makes sense for you to convert the physical shares into demat only when:

a company is not delisted from the stock exchange.
The company is performing fairly well.

2. Filling form & surrendering share certificates

Moving on to the conversion process. Now that you know which share certificates are worth converting into demat form. Place a request for conversion of physical shares into demat form by submitting:

- Filling DRF - Dematerialisation Request Form
- Defacing physical share certificates - surrendered for dematerialization.

Note that every company needs a different DRF. Therefore, use separate forms for share certificates of different companies.
Defacing every share certificate by writing surrendered for dematerialization is equally important.
An acknowledgment slip is received for the surrendered shares. These physical shares are then dismissed. Demat account then gets credited with electronic shares. Now the securities can easily be sold and transferred.