Steps to Withdraw Shares from the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF)
To reclaim shares from the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) in India, follow these steps:
1. Verify Eligibility: Confirm that your shares were transferred to the IEPF due to unclaimed dividends. You can check this by visiting the IEPF website or contacting the company directly.
2. Access the IEPF Portal: Navigate to the official IEPF website: https://iepf.gov.in.
3. Complete the Claim Form (IEPF-5): Download and fill out the IEPF-5 form, providing details such as:
4. Gather and Upload Required Documents: Alongside the IEPF-5 form, submit the following documents:
5. Submit the Form and Documents: After completing the form and gathering the necessary documents, submit them online via the IEPF portal. An acknowledgment with a Service Request Number (SRN) will be generated upon successful submission. Print a copy of the filled IEPF-5 form and the acknowledgment for your records.
6. Verification by the Company: The concerned company will verify the submitted details and documents. They may request original documents for further verification. The company is required to send the verification report to the IEPF Authority within 15 days of receiving the claim.
7. Approval by the IEPF Authority: Upon receiving the verification report, the IEPF Authority will review the claim. If approved, the shares will be transferred back to your Demat account, or physical share certificates will be dispatched to your address.
8. Track Your Claim Status: Monitor the status of your claim on the IEPF portal or by contacting the company directly.
Important Considerations:
- Ensure all documents are correctly filled and self-attested to avoid delays.
- If there are discrepancies in your name or address, provide supporting documents such as marriage certificates or affidavits.
- For claims involving amounts exceeding ₹10,000, an indemnity bond on non-judicial stamp paper of appropriate value is required.
For detailed instructions and the IEPF-5 form, refer to the IEPF Authority’s official guidelines: https://www.iepf.gov.in/IEPF/refund.html.
By following these steps and ensuring all information is accurate, you can successfully reclaim your shares from the IEPF.