If you bought shares under your maiden name but now use a married name, you might hit a wall when trying to cash dividend cheques. Banks are increasingly strict: the name on the cheque must match the name on the bank account exactly.
“Can I just call them?” No. Because shares are legal property, Registrars require a formal “Register Rectification.” They need to see a legal link between the old name and the new name.
What You Need to Send To update your name, you must write to the Registrar (Equiniti/Link/Computershare) and enclose:
- The Request: A signed letter quoting your old name, new name, and Shareholder Reference Number.
- The Evidence: An original or certified copy of your Marriage Certificate or Decree Absolute.
- The Old Certificate: Often, they will ask you to return the old certificate so they can issue a new one in your correct name.
The “Change of Name” Fee Be aware that some registrars charge a fee for issuing a replacement certificate with the new name. However, updating the register itself (so future dividends are correct) is usually free.
Safety First Always send original legal documents via Recorded Delivery. If your Marriage Certificate goes missing in the internal mail at a massive registrar, it is a headache to replace.
Don’t Know Where to Write? If you have shares in multiple companies (e.g., Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and BT), you might need to write to three different addresses. Use Divica to find the correct address for every single holding in seconds.