How to Change Name on a Stock Certificate to Include Children
A stock certificate is used to legally show that an individual has a registered number of shares of ownership in a particular company. Typically, the stock certificate is signed by the president and secretary of the company. On the back side of the stock certificate is a "transfer form" that allows you to transfer the certificate to another person. If you would like to change the name of your stock certificate to include your children but you do not want to transfer the stock certificate to them entirely, call your broker and request the changes. You will be required to pay your broker to make these changes.
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Instructions
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Gather your stock certificates and brokerage statements. Contact your brokerage directly to see if the stocks you own are owned in street name. According to GetMoneyEnergy.com, this means that the brokerage firm holds the stocks on your behalf instead of issuing physical stock certificates.
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Request from your broker that the stock certificates be transferred to physical stock certificates. Complete and return the required forms that are necessary for issuing physical stocks. It is not likely that the brokerage will be able to add children's names to your stock certificates if they are in street name only.
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Receive the physical stock certificates by mail. Follow the instructions given by the broker to add children's names to the certificate. Look at the back of each stock certificate and sign on the appropriate line. Only owners can sign the stock certificate.
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Contact your children to let them know that their names are on the stock certificates. Send the originals or copies of the certificates to your children for safe keeping. Only the original certificates can be redeemed for cash.
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Tips & Warnings
When putting more than one child on the stock certificate, designate how the stock will be divided. It is best to divide the stock evenly among the children.
If you don't feel comfortable signing the stock certificate, your broker can give you alternate signing instructions. This could be beneficial in case of a robbery. It is best to store physical stock certificates in a safety deposit box at a local bank.
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