If you lose your stock certificate, don’t worry—for the majority of stocks, you still own your shares even without the paper certificate. Follow the steps below to get your certificate replaced.
First, you must notify the transfer agent of the loss. The transfer agent will place a “stop transfer” on the certificate. This is to prevent others from cashing it in. The transfer agent or the broker-dealer will then notify the SEC of the lost or missing certificates.
To replace your lost stock certificate, a “lost instrument bond” for a stock certificate is required by the issuing company. This bond is a third-party guarantee against financial loss for the company. Learn more about what the bond does and why it’s required.
North Carolina residents can apply here for a “lost instrument bond” for your lost stock certificate: Lost Instrument Bond Application