Quick answer: If your physical share certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, you obtain a duplicate share certificate from the company's RTA before the shares can be recovered or dematerialised. The process requires an FIR/police complaint, a newspaper advertisement, an indemnity bond on stamp paper, an affidavit, and the SEBI request form ISR-4. It typically takes 2 to 4 months, after which the shares can be dematerialised or claimed.
What to do first
Do not panic — a lost certificate does not mean lost shares. The shares still belong to you; you simply need the company to issue a duplicate against safeguards that protect against fraud. The steps below establish that you are the genuine owner and that the original will not be misused.
The full walkthrough is on our duplicate share certificate page.
The duplicate-certificate process
- File an FIR / police complaint recording the lost certificate details (folio, distinctive numbers if known).
- Publish a newspaper advertisement declaring the loss, as required by the company / RTA.
- Execute an indemnity bond on non-judicial stamp paper, plus an affidavit.
- Submit Form ISR-4 with the above and your KYC to the RTA.
- RTA verifies and, after any waiting period, issues the duplicate certificate.
- Dematerialise or claim the shares once the duplicate is in hand.
Timeline and cost
Higher-value holdings may attract additional formalities or a surety requirement, which can extend the timeline.
From duplicate to recovery
A duplicate certificate is a means to an end — once issued, the shares usually still need KYC, possibly a name or signature fix, and dematerialisation before they are usable. If the holding had already moved to IEPF, the duplicate supports an IEPF-5 claim instead.
ClaimMyFunds handles the whole chain — FIR wording, advertisement, indemnity bond, ISR-4, and the recovery that follows. Send us the folio and company name for a free assessment on +91 90818 47140.
Frequently asked questions
Are my shares lost if I lost the certificate?
No. The shares still belong to you. You obtain a duplicate share certificate from the RTA, then dematerialise or claim the shares.
How do I get a duplicate share certificate?
File an FIR and a newspaper advertisement, execute an indemnity bond and affidavit, and submit Form ISR-4 with your KYC to the company's RTA. The duplicate is issued after verification.
How long does a duplicate certificate take?
Typically 2 to 4 months, driven mostly by RTA processing and any waiting period. Higher-value holdings may take longer due to extra formalities.
Can ClaimMyFunds handle a lost certificate case?
Yes. ClaimMyFunds manages the entire process — FIR wording, advertisement, indemnity bond, ISR-4 and the recovery afterwards. Call +91 90818 47140 for a free check.