Deletion of Name From a Joint Share Folio
When one of two joint holders dies, the surviving holder does not normally need a succession certificate, NOCs from other relatives, or a full transmission. Because of survivorship, the usual remedy is a simple deletion of the deceased holder's name.
We at ClaimMyFunds regularly meet families who have obtained a succession certificate for a jointly held folio when survivorship meant they never needed one.
In short
Deletion of name removes a deceased joint holder from the folio, leaving the survivor as sole holder. It relies on survivorship and typically needs only the death certificate and the survivor's KYC — far lighter than transmission to an heir.
When This Applies to You
- You held shares jointly and the other holder has died
- You are the surviving holder and want the folio in your sole name
- You need the folio clean before dematerialising or selling
- An RTA has asked for a succession certificate and you believe survivorship should apply
- You are dealing with an estate that includes jointly held shares
Step by Step
Confirm the holding is genuinely joint
Check the certificate. Survivorship applies only where two or more names are actually registered on the folio.
Obtain the death certificate
An original or a properly certified copy. Photocopies are generally not accepted.
Ask the RTA which form they use
Some use Form ISR-5, others a specific deletion-of-name request. Ask before filling anything in.
Prepare the survivor's KYC
PAN, address proof and bank details for the surviving holder, since the folio will now be in their name alone.
Attach the original certificates
These are usually required so that new certificates or a demat credit can be issued.
Submit and follow up
Registered post, keep the receipt, follow up after three to four weeks.
What to Attach
- The RTA's deletion of name request, or Form ISR-5 where they use that
- Original or certified copy of the death certificate
- Original share certificates
- Self-attested PAN and address proof of the surviving holder
- Demat account statement of the survivor
- Form ISR-2 if the survivor's signature needs verification
Where to Send It
Send to the company's RTA. Do it for each company separately where shares were held jointly.
Stuck on this?
Lost a joint holder? Before you go anywhere near a court, let us confirm whether survivorship covers your case.
Free first assessment — we tell you what is recoverable before any fee is discussed.
Why These Get Rejected
Across the files we handle at ClaimMyFunds, almost every returned form fails for one of these reasons.
How Long It Takes
Indicative timings from cases we have handled. The variable that matters most is whether the file is complete when it arrives.
| Stage | Typical | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Obtain the death certificate | 1-3 weeks | Get several certified copies; you need one per company. |
| Confirm which form the RTA uses | 1 week | Some use ISR-5, others a specific deletion request. |
| Submit with original certificates | 1-3 days | Registered post. |
| Folio in the survivor's sole name | 4-8 weeks | Noticeably faster than a transmission to an heir. |
What It Actually Costs
Indicative only. Stamp duty, notary rates and RTA service charges vary by state and by registrar, so treat these as what to budget for rather than a price list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a succession certificate if my spouse was a joint holder?
Generally no. Survivorship means you as surviving joint holder are already on the folio, so this is a deletion of name rather than a transmission to an heir. RTAs occasionally ask for more than is necessary — it is reasonable to point out that survivorship applies.
What if both joint holders have died?
Survivorship no longer helps and it becomes a full transmission to the heirs, generally requiring proof of entitlement through both deaths. That is a considerably heavier process.
Can the deceased holder's heirs object?
They can raise a dispute, but survivorship in a joint holding is a strong position. Where the family disagrees about beneficial ownership, that is a matter for legal advice rather than the RTA.
How long does deletion of name take?
Commonly four to eight weeks with clean paperwork — significantly faster than a transmission to an heir.
Does this work if the shares are already in IEPF?
The survivorship principle still applies, but the shares now sit with the IEPF Authority, so recovery is through Form IEPF-5 with the survivorship position evidenced. Establish the position and file the IEPF claim together rather than sequentially.
Can ClaimMyFunds confirm whether we need a succession certificate?
Yes, and it is worth asking before you start. Where a joint holder survives, this is normally a deletion of name and no court certificate is required. We will tell you plainly which route your case falls into.
About ClaimMyFunds
You have just read a detailed walkthrough of a SEBI investor form. We publish these because the same handful of mistakes cost investors months, and most of them are avoidable.
We are a share recovery practice based in Ahmedabad, working with investors, legal heirs and NRIs across India. We have resolved more than 2,500 cases covering IEPF claims, unclaimed dividends, duplicate certificates, transmission and physical-to-demat conversion. We handle the paperwork end to end, and we tell you at the outset whether a case is worth pursuing.
Want Us to Handle the Paperwork?
We at ClaimMyFunds prepare the correct forms, tell you exactly what to get notarised or attested locally, and follow the file through with the Registrar. The first assessment is free.
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