We live in a world of instant trading apps like Trading212 and eToro. But if you try to upload a photo of a 1990s British Gas certificate to these apps, they will reject it.
Most modern trading platforms are “Nominee” accounts—they hold digital shares. They cannot handle paper.
So, how do you sell a paper certificate? You have two main options:
1. Use a “Postal Share Dealing” Service This is the traditional route.
- How it works: You fill out a form, attach your certificate, and post it to a stockbroker who specializes in paper (e.g., Equiniti, Link, or high-street banks).
- Cost: Usually a fixed fee (e.g., £30–£60) plus a percentage commission (1–1.5%).
- Speed: Slow. It takes days for the post to arrive and the trade to execute.
2. “Dematerialize” into a Broker Account This turns your paper into digital shares.
- How it works: You open an account with a broker like Hargreaves Lansdown or Interactive Investor. You send them your certificate with a “CREST Transfer Form.”
- Benefit: Once the shares appear in your online account (usually after 1-2 weeks), you can sell them instantly at the click of a button, usually for a much lower trading fee (£5–£12).
Verify Before You Send – Sending original certificates in the post is risky. If they get lost, you have to pay an indemnity fee to replace them. Before you post anything, use Divica to confirm the certificate is still valid and the company hasn’t changed its name. It prevents the heartbreak of having your forms rejected.