Important: Use only the Official MCA21 Portal
Form IEPF-5 must be filed exclusively at mca.gov.in. There is no "app" for IEPF claims. Beware of third-party websites charging fees to "file on your behalf" — most are scams. Filing itself is free; only professional assistance has a fee.
What is Form IEPF-5?
Form IEPF-5 is the official government form you file on the MCA21 portal to claim shares and dividends that have been transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) Authority. Shares are transferred to IEPF if you don't claim dividends for 7 consecutive years. Without filing IEPF-5, you cannot recover them through any other means.
The form has two parts: an online submission on MCA21, and a physical document set that must be couriered to the company's Nodal Officer within 120 days. Both are mandatory — skipping either one results in automatic rejection.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill and Submit IEPF-5
- Name of claimant: Exactly as on PAN card (no abbreviations, no middle name if not on PAN)
- PAN: 10-character PAN, all caps
- Aadhaar number: 12-digit Aadhaar linked to your PAN and mobile
- Father/spouse name: As on PAN or Aadhaar
- Address: Complete address with pin code
- Email and mobile: Active email and mobile linked to Aadhaar
- Bank account: Account number and IFSC of your active bank account
- Demat account: DP ID + Client ID (16-digit combined). Get from your broker's statement.
- Company name: Full registered name (not short name or ticker). Verify on MCA portal under Company Master Data.
- CIN: 21-character Corporate Identity Number of the company. Find on mca.gov.in.
- Folio number: From your physical share certificate or registrar records
- Number of shares: Exact quantity transferred to IEPF (check IEPF Authority website for your holding)
- Dividend amount: Total unpaid dividend amount in rupees (if claiming dividend)
- Type of security: Equity / Preference
- Year of transfer to IEPF: The financial year when shares were transferred
- PAN card (front)
- Aadhaar card (front and back)
- Demat account statement (latest, showing DP ID and Client ID)
- Cancelled cheque or bank passbook front page
- Original share certificate or passbook (if physical shares)
Key Fields Quick Reference
| Field | Where to Find | Status |
|---|---|---|
| PAN | PAN card | Required |
| Aadhaar Number | Aadhaar card | Required |
| DP ID + Client ID | Broker app / demat statement | Required |
| Folio Number | Share certificate or RTA records | Required |
| CIN | mca.gov.in Company Search | Required |
| Number of Shares | IEPF Authority website | Required |
| Dividend Amount | Company annual reports / RTA | If claiming dividend |
| Legal Heir Certificate | District court | If original holder deceased |
| Bank Account / IFSC | Bank passbook / cheque | Required |
Physical Documents Checklist (Courier to Nodal Officer)
- Indemnity Bond — on non-judicial stamp paper of value as required by the company (usually ₹100 to ₹500). Must be duly notarized.
- Advance Receipt — signed by you (the claimant), acknowledging receipt of shares/amount in advance. Format provided by the company/RTA.
- Original Share Certificate(s) — for physical shares. If lost, attach the Duplicate Share Certificate and relevant court affidavit.
- PAN Card copy — self-attested photocopy
- Aadhaar Card copy — self-attested (both sides)
- Cancelled cheque — from the bank account entered in the form
- Demat account statement — from your DP/broker, showing DP ID, Client ID, and your name
- Printout of IEPF-5 form — the submitted and signed form printout
- SRN acknowledgment — the MCA21 confirmation showing your SRN
- Legal heir documents (if original shareholder is deceased) — death certificate, legal heir certificate or succession certificate, and the heir's ID proof
10 Common Mistakes That Get IEPF-5 Rejected
Avoid these — they account for over 80% of deficient and rejected claims.
Your name on PAN, Aadhaar, demat account, and share certificate must be identical. "Rajesh K Mehta" on PAN and "Rajesh Mehta" on Aadhaar = rejection.
MCA updates Form IEPF-5 periodically. Using any version other than the latest one available on mca.gov.in results in automatic rejection.
The Aadhaar OTP e-sign only works if your Aadhaar is linked to your PAN (for income tax) and to your current mobile number. Unlinked Aadhaar = cannot sign = cannot submit.
The share count in the form must exactly match what the IEPF Authority shows in their records. Verify on the IEPF website before filling. Entering an approximate or wrong number causes deficiency.
Many people file online and forget the physical courier step. After 120 days without receipt of physical documents, the claim is closed. You must re-file everything from scratch.
Some companies have changed names or have similar names. Verify the CIN on mca.gov.in by searching the exact registered company name, not the brand name.
The indemnity bond must be on stamp paper of the correct value, properly notarized, and contain all required clauses. A bond on plain paper or without notarization is rejected.
Every photocopy in the physical set must carry your self-attestation ("True copy — Signature — Name — Date"). Unattested copies are treated as missing documents.
The bank account must be in your name exactly as on PAN. Joint accounts are generally not accepted unless the primary account holder matches the claimant.
IEPF-5 is only for shares/dividends already transferred to IEPF. If your shares are still with the company or registrar (not yet IEPF), you need a different process entirely.
What Happens After You Submit?
Week 1–2: SRN Generated, Verification Begins
MCA receives your online submission. Status shows "Submitted." The Nodal Officer awaits your physical documents.
Month 1–3: Nodal Officer Verification
After receiving physical documents, the Nodal Officer verifies them and submits a verification report to the IEPF Authority. If anything is wrong, status moves to "Deficient."
Month 3–6: IEPF Authority Approval
IEPF Authority reviews and approves the claim. Shares are credited to your demat account. Dividend amounts are transferred to your bank account. Status moves to "Approved" then "Completed."
When Should You Hire a Professional?
Consider professional help if any of the following apply:
- The original shareholder is deceased (legal heir claims require extra documents and legal steps)
- Name mismatch between share certificate and current ID documents
- Share certificates are lost or physically damaged
- Your previous IEPF-5 claim was rejected or marked deficient
- Shares from multiple companies need to be claimed (each requires a separate filing)
- NRI shareholders with foreign address and bank account