Becoming a registered shareholder in US-listed companies through Computershare


Computershare acts as transfer agent/registrar to a range of US companies. For these companies, registered shareholders can manage their own holdings directly using our online platform, Investor Center.

Shareholders who currently own shares in these companies through a broker/intermediary (beneficial shareholders) can become registered shareholders and manage their holding through Investor Center by following these steps:

  1. Let your broker/intermediary know you would like to transfer your shares into registered ownership format
  2. Your broker/intermediary should then instruct the Depository Trust Company (DTC) to electronically transfer the shares/stock from DTC's nominee acting on behalf of the brokerage/intermediary into your own name at Computershare
  3. If you do not already have an account, you can register to use our Investor Center for free online
  4. Upon transfer of shares/stock to your own name, Computershare will send you a statement by mail to confirm you are a registered shareholder. For new users, this statement is required to log in to Investor Center for the first time. For existing users, your shares will be visible via Investor Center as soon as the transfer is processed by Computershare.

Please note that although Computershare does not charge investors for the transfer of shares into registered ownership, brokers/intermediaries may. You should ensure you understand what those fees are before initiating the process.

You can also become a registered shareholder by buying stock directly through Computershare online using our Investor Center.

Company share structure

Frequently Asked Questions

Registered shareholders, also known as "shareholders of record," are people or entities that hold shares directly in their own name on the company register. The issuer (or more usually its transfer agent, such as Computershare) keeps the records of ownership for the registered shareholders and provides services such as transferring shares, paying dividends, coordinating shareholder communications and more. Shares can be held in both electronic (book entry) through the Direct Registration System (DRS) or certificated form (when permitted by the issuer company).

​Ownership is recorded in your name directly on the register of the company. You are legally recognized as the direct owner of the shares. Computershare, as agent for the issuer, gives registered shareholders access to their holdings through our online Investor Center platform. Registered shareholders receive a proxy and can cast their vote directly at the company's shareholder meetings. The company has real‑time visibility of shareowners and can efficiently communicate with them. Other common registered shareholder rights include the right to transfer ownership of their shares to others, to directly receive share dividends and also to inspect certain corporate documents.

Beneficial shareholders have their stock held by an intermediary such as a broker. When shares are kept in this manner, it is often referred to as keeping the shares in "street name."

Many investors choose to be beneficial owners. They access their investments and account balances and other information through their broker/intermediary's online platform. All beneficial shares are generally held in electronic (book entry) form through the Depository Trust Company (DTC). In certain circumstances, shares may be 'lent' by the brokerage firm to cover other trading activity, such as short sells by others. The company has very little visibility of beneficial investors whose shares are held in "street name", and communications from the company are routed through the broker, usually by an agent acting for the broker.

​The Direct Registration System (DRS) allows registered shares to be held in electronic form without having a physical security certificate issued as evidence of ownership.

As well as calling our US Contact Center directly, we have set up a dedicated number to field GameStop enquiries: + 800 3823 3823. This is free to phone from a landline in the following countries…

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Thailand
  • UK

​We'll need to verify your identity. Depending on what information you can provide, we may need to ask you to confirm you Social Security Number (SSN), Employer Identification Number (EIN), ZIP code and the name of the company in which you are a shareholder. If you're based outside the US, we may need to confirm other details relevant to your jurisdiction.

Click here for detailed instructions on how to set up your account.

​Companies hire Computershare to undertake transfer agent/registry services on their behalf, which includes directly providing services to their registered shareholders directly. Although some of these services are free to registered shareholders, such as maintaining the record of a shareholding through Investor Center, we do charge shareholders themselves when they ask us to process specific transactions, including buying and selling shares. You can find out more information on these charges here.

​Yes, you can buy and sell shares/stock in companies for whom Computershare is the transfer agent/registrar through Investor Center once you have signed up for an account. Computershare charges fees for these services.

​No. This is not an authorized function of a transfer agent for shares held in registered form.

​The shares/stock you own, buy or sell in companies for whom Computershare is transfer agent/registrar can be monitored and accessed through your Investor Center account.

​Only companies for whom Computershare is the transfer agent/registrar are found on Investor Center. However, you can manually enter investments in other companies for reference but details such as share price will not automatically update and you cannot use Investor Center to buy or sell such shares.

​Shares managed directly through our Investor Center are transferred by DRS are entered onto the register in the shareholder's name.

​Yes. Additionally, if your broker/intermediary is a participant of the Depository Trust Company (DTC), they will be able to deposit your shares into DTC (removing your name as a registered shareholder from the register) or withdraw shares from DTC (adding your name as a registered shareholder), electronically. Otherwise your broker/intermediary will need arrange this via its commercial relationship with a DTC participant (if it has one) to give effect to such transfers electronically. Failing that, a physical transfer form may be required, which may necessitate a medallion guarantee to verify the transferring party's signature. Medallion guarantees may be difficult to obtain outside the US.

​No. You can be registered on the company's register without having to be registered with Investor Center.

​Yes. You can register to use our US Investor Center if you are not a US resident. We will use details relevant to your jurisdiction to confirm your identity.

Contact your broker. Your broker may use a custodian in DTC to hold shares in DTC. Only DTC participants can initiate a transfer to create a DRS holding in your name at Computershare, if the shares are held via DTC (please see above). Processes may vary depending on your jurisdiction.

​Yes. Please be aware that, although this should be straightforward via Investor Center, transferring 'off market' may require a paper-based transfer form and a 'medallion guarantee' to be authorized.

​In some instances, although higher DTC withdrawal fees may apply. Typically companies register investors into a DRS holding by default. Some companies have stopped issuing share certificates and DRS is the only way shares are maintained on the register.

​You can view all the information we publish on specific companies at https://www-us.computershare.com/Investor/#Company.

​Direct stock purchase plans are an alternative way to buy the shares of certain companies. Benefits of direct stock purchase plans include lower fees, the ability to set up automatic, periodic investments and automatic reinvestment of earned dividends. Individual companies set up direct purchase plans to allow investors to buy shares of stock directly in a company. The Company's transfer agent will effect trades through a trading broker and allocate shares to their registered accounts directly on the records of the company. For plan-specific information, including fees, shareholders should refer to relevant plan documents.

​The Depository Trust Company (DTC) is a repository through which stocks are transferred electronically between brokers and agents. It provides electronic recordkeeping and clearinghouse services. The DTC was established to reduce the volume of physical stock certificate transfers involved in the trading of securities. It holds eligible securities for financial institutions such as brokerage firms and banks, collectively referred to as "participants." Transfer agents are "limited participants". Participants then may request debits and corresponding credits to their DTC accounts to effect transfers. In this manner the DTC facilitates share transfers on behalf of shareholders via their brokers or transfer agents. The DTC is part of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC).  DTC uses a nominee, Cede & Co, to hold securities on the register.

Transfer agents (referred to as the 'registrar' in some jurisdictions) maintain a record of ownership, including contact information, of an issuer's registered shareholders. Brokers maintain the records of beneficial shareholders. Transfer agents' responsibilities also include the transfer, issuance and cancellation of an issuer's shares. One of a transfer agent's primary duties is assisting registered shareholders and fulfilling their requests for transferring their shares.

Other core services provided by a transfer agent include issuing dividend payments and communication with shareholders on behalf of the issuer.

Transfer agents also ensure that companies do not issue more shares of stock than has been authorized.

​Stock issuances by companies are governed by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and regulations thereunder, which are enforced by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Issuers are also subject to the corporate law of the company's state of incorporation, the rules of the exchange on which its stock is traded, operational guidelines and eligibility requirements of The Depository Trust Company (DTC), if eligible, and the issuers' corporate bylaws, articles of incorporation and other corporate governing documents.

Corporations may issue different classes of stock, which may be subject to different ownership rules, value per share and privileges, such as the right to vote on certain corporate matters. For more information, please see the diagram above.

Since the mid-1970s, transfer agents have been subject to federal regulation by the SEC in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Transfer agents must comply with all applicable rules of the SEC, primarily sections 17Ad-1 through 17Ad-20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These regulations include strict requirements for the accuracy and timeliness of processing shareholder transactions. Given wide fluctuations in trading volume and shareholder inquiries, transfer agents must also be prepared to handle associated periods of peak transfer volume. Activities that are governed by these regulations include:

  • Turnaround times for processing
  • Prompt responses to inquiries
  • Accuracy of recordkeeping
  • Retention of records
  • Posting, transportation and destruction of certificates
  • Safeguarding of funds and securities
  • Evaluation of internal accounting controls
  • Searches for lost shareholders
  • Notifications to "unresponsive payees"

Securities industry participants, such as transfer agents, must also comply with regulations designed to prevent fraud in connection with missing, lost, counterfeit or stolen securities, in addition to other data security requirements. These data security requirements also extend to industry participants' employees, who must be fingerprinted and undergo background checks. In addition, transfer agents are required to comply with certain provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations and can also be subject to regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Transfer agents may also be subject to the laws of the states of incorporation for both issuers and their shareholders by virtue of the services they provide, including laws pertaining to data privacy and escheatment. Transfer agents are additionally required by IRS regulations to track and report the dividend income and share sale activity they facilitate on behalf of issuers via Form 1099 reporting. Transfer agents must follow IRS requirements concerning tax.

​We recommend first looking for answers via our FAQs at https://www-us.computershare.com/Investor/#Help/FAQ/. If you can't find the information you're looking for, you can try our Live Chat. You can also email or phone us directly using the contact details here.

We use double-entry accounting systems that ensure there is always an accurate balance between shares held directly by registered shareholders and those held by Cede & Co on behalf of DTC, banks & brokers and beneficial investors. This means that for every share transferred through DRS that can be registered on the share register, there is one fewer recorded as being in Cede & Co.

We don’t believe there is any reason why shares can’t be transferred from an IRA into a person's name in DRS format. People should speak to their plan sponsor about whether it’s possible and of course seek financial advice before making any decisions. If you have a question about your specific account please contact us on +1 (201) 680 6578 or 800 522 6645.

No. As a transfer agent Computershare does not provide IRA or custodial services, and we have to reject or reverse any transfer that purports to register shares into an IRA account where Computershare is noted as the IRA custodian for the particular investor.
We’re sorry to say that we are having to lower the maximum “limit order” price for all US shares traded on our platform from $214,748.36 per share to $3,500 per share, effective after Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
The change has become necessary because the volume of very high limit orders being placed through our systems has increased significantly over the last six months and is now so high that the total value of open orders risks exceeding the overall risk cap set by our broker. A high proportion of these limit orders (which mostly span just two securities) are submitted at limits that are many thousands of times the prevailing market price for the relevant security. Whenever those limit orders do not execute, they negatively impact the overall risk cap calculation.
The change applies to both “day” limit orders and “good-till-cancelled” limit orders. Any existing orders with a limit above $3,500 per share will remain in place until they naturally expire or on the execution of a stock split, when such orders are routinely cancelled. Any resubmitted or new orders after close of business on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 will be subject to the new maximum limit of $3,500 per share. 

The change does not affect the maximum trade value (consideration) that our system will accept. The maximum consideration will remain at $10 million for designated securities (specifically GameStop and AMC) and $2 million for other securities for each individual order submitted via the web.

You can buy and sell shares/stock in companies for whom Computershare is the transfer agent/registrar directly through Investor Center once you have signed up for an account. Computershare charges fees for these services.

For GameStop stock we have now removed the previous estimated sales proceeds limit of $1million for web-based orders. GameStop shareholders can now undertake transactions up to an estimated sales proceeds limit of $9,999,999 through our online services. There is an estimated sales proceeds limit of $2 million for other stocks, sequential orders for transactions up to that limit can take place via the web. Please note that these figures relate to the estimated value of the transaction (the price of shares multiplied by the number of shares) rather than the individual share price.

​Yes. You can sell shares in companies for whom Computershare is the transfer agent directly through Investor Center.

No. Shareholders can themselves chose to move directly registered shares into beneficial ownership through an intermediary such as a broker. To do this, shareholders should instruct the transfer agent (such as Computershare) to deposit their shares into DTCC form and submit a signed and indemnified transfer form identifying the receiving broker. Computershare will not act upon any instruction to transfer directly registered shares into beneficial form without this form signed by the shareholder. In addition, Computershare needs the relevant account numbers to perform such an instruction. We recommend not disclosing account numbers to third parties as an additional security measure.

​We can't usually tell how long has passed between a shareholder's request to transfer shares to direct ownership and the request being passed to us by the intermediary but, once we receive it, we should process it fully by the end of the next working day.

​Computershare is a publicly-listed company. We are listed the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and our shares trade in Australian dollars with the ticker symbol CPU. You can find details by entering "CPU.AX stock quote" into your search platform, or by visiting our website www.computershare.com. Computershare is not listed in the US. However, some parties choose to trade the shares in US dollars in the "unlisted" US OTC market.

​No. Investors do not need an account with Computershare in order to be registered via DRS.

​No. Shares in DRS form can be sold and purchased via the US public markets and can only be transferred by the investor or his or her broker with permission.

​A dividend would only be paid in NFT form if the issuer decided that this is the format they would like to use.

​We use a proprietary algorithm across all our clients, so numbers are not company specific.

​Optionally, an international payment can be made in foreign currency (e.g. Euro, GBP or AUD).

​In the context of registered shareholding Computershare as transfer agent is acting as a recordkeeper. Transfer agents do not have ownership of the securities for which they maintain the records of in any circumstances.

​You need to discuss this with your broker, who in turn may need to work with its custodian in DTC. 

​Yes. We instruct our broker to execute all orders on an applicable exchange, for example, the New York Stock Exchange. We do not receive ‘payment for order flow’ or route orders to dark pools.

​Account creation is an automated process at Computershare. Our systems are resilient and perform effectively during periods of both low and exceptionally high demand. We are not currently experiencing, nor do we envisage any delays in the processing of transfers, including transfers to DRS and account opening.

​We do not publish a list. Please ask individual brokers directly about the services they offer. We're able to process any valid transfer initiated by a DTCC participant to transfer shares to direct ownership, and we usually complete the transaction by the end of the next working day, following receipt of that request from DTCC.

​No. Computershare does not receive any information about a request to transfer shares to DRS. We are only notified when the transfer is initiated by a DTC participant. A DTC participant may be your US broker, a clearing firm acting for your US broker, or a custodian acting for your international broker or another intermediary (e.g. an international central securities depositary) who, in turn, is acting for your international broker. We have no visibility of where your instruction sits in the chain.

In order to improve information security and help prevent fraud, Computershare sends certain information to shareholders through the post. However, if you are a shareholder in GameStop and you are based in Europe, Computershare will mail ‘pin packs’ — which contain the verification code that enables access to Investor Center — to you from our facility in the UK, meaning they should arrive within one to two weeks. We are also looking at other ways to ensure communications can reach non-US shareholders sooner.

​Your broker may use a custodian in DTC to hold shares in DTC. Only DTC participants can initiate a transfer to create a DRS holding in your name at Computershare, if the shares are held via DTC (please see above). Processes may vary depending on your jurisdiction and the number of intermediaries in the chain. Computershare is able to process any request for a transfer of shares to direct ownership that includes the necessary information for the transfer to take place, and we usually complete the transaction the working day after the request comes through.  You do not need an account with Computershare for a DRS transfer to be initiated.

​In the unusual event we needed to reject a DRS transfer owing to insufficient shares in the name of Cede & Co (as transferor), we anticipate we would let our issuer client, DTCC, the broker and the investor know.

​We can't give advice on tax or retirement accounts, and you should discuss this with your financial advisor. If you have a question about your specific account with Computershare, please contact us on +1 (201) 680 6578 or 800 522 6645.

​SIPC is not relevant in the context of transfer agents, as investors' assets are on the register, and the register would be taken on by a successor agent. Computershare carries professional indemnity insurance as cover for other issues.

​No. We have not experienced delays in processing new shareholder registrations in DRS form. We generally complete all requests to transfer from “street name” to registered form by the end of the next working day after receipt, provided such request is in good order (well within regulated timeframes). Please note that we have no knowledge or visibility of the point at which a beneficial owner asks their intermediary to initiate the transfer of their position from ‘street name’ to a direct registered shareholding and the relevant DTC participant initiating a DRS transfer via DTC with the required information.

​We can't give advice on tax or ISAs, and you should discuss this with your financial advisor. If you have a question about your specific account with Computershare, please contact us on +1 (201) 680 6578 or 800 522 6645.

​We accept DRS transfer requests from DTC participants, as the DRS system is facilitated through DTC.  If your broker is not a DTC participant, your broker should discuss how to give effect to a DRS transfer (on your behalf) by working with its clearing firm or custodian in DTC, or other intermediary that in turn may have a commercial custody or clearing arrangement with a DTC participant. 

  • DSPP and ‘pure’ DRS shares are technically different forms of holding although, for many practical purposes, they are the same
  • Both forms of ownership record the names of the investor directly on the issuer’s register, where they are recognized as registered shareholders
  • In both cases, the investors are sent communications by the company and can directly vote their shares
  • Both forms of ownership are recorded directly on Computershare’s platform and may be managed by the shareholder through the online portal, Investor Center
  • Both DSPP & DRS are ‘book entry’ means of holding shares
  • DRS shares do not require enrollment into a ‘plan’ nor is there a need to make elections around dividend payment allocations
  • DSPPs are specific plans that require shareholders to elect enrollment
  • DSPP shares allow for the shareholder to elect for dividend payment to be allocated as to their discretion, including to reinvest into the purchase of additional shares.
  • Dividends are paid, and proxy voting instructions are issued, on a consolidated basis i.e. for the aggregate of DRS and DSPP book-entry positions. Computershare does not issue separate proxies or make two dividend payments
  • An investor can, at any time, withdraw all or part of their shares in DSPP book-entry form and have them added to their DRS holding (for example after a DSPP purchase settles) without a fee
  • Shares held in DRS form and DSPP book-entry form (with the exception of any fractional amount) can be transferred to a broker in a single parcel to a broker or in multiple parcels to multiple brokers at any time via the DRS system
  • Shares held in DRS and DSPP book-entry form can be sold via Computershare, subject to the terms and conditions of the DRS Sales Facility or DSPP, as applicable.

​We're constantly looking to improve our services. While we can't commit specifically to the launch of a mobile app for Investor Center at present, we're working on a range of improvements that we believe will enhance the experience of users.

  • No. Fractional shares cannot be held outside a DSPP, nor can they be moved to a broker or another intermediary
  • DRS and certificated holding types do not allow for fractional share ownership
  • When an investor withdraws all or part of their shares in DSPP book-entry form and has them added to their DRS holding (for example after a DSPP purchase settles), any remaining fractional shares will be handled as set forth in the DSPP terms and conditions
  • However, there is no requirement to sell fractional shares when transferring any whole shares
  • The fractional shares may remain in the plan for as long as the investor chooses, subject to any specific conditions in the plan which may preclude the ownership of only fractional shares.

​No. An account number alone is not enough information to request changes or transact on a Computershare Investor account.

  • Computershare’s issuer clients have a complete view of the total number of shares including DRS and DSPP shareholder accounts
  • The names of those holding shares through both DRS and any DSPP are visible to the issuer
  • Specific questions about an issuer’s financials or its holdings should be directed to the company

  • Computershare provides its issuer clients with separate tallies for DRS and DSPP shareholdings
  • It is up to individual companies what information on shareholdings they disclose to its investors or the general public and in what format (within the confines of relevant legislation and regulation)

​Our employees do not post 'on behalf' of Computershare on their individual accounts on social media. While many employees are active on social media, and some chose to identify themselves as Computershare employees, they do so as individuals, not as official representatives. Computershare engages in social media via its official accounts, including Twitter and LinkedIn, which are easily verifiable. Computershare spokespeople also undertake interviews, with the content sometimes featuring on social media. Whenever they do so, they will be clearly identifiable as Computershare representatives, including by providing their name and job title. We would recommend discounting anyone claiming anonymously to represent or be an employee of Computershare.

You can find out more at: https://www.overstock.com/dividend

​The brokerage firm we work with can depend on the circumstances of the order, including to enable us to accommodate the preferences of specific clients. In most instances, however, we work with Bank of America Merrill Lynch (also known as Merrill).

  • E-comms means the company in which you own shares can communicate with you more easily, quickly and cost effectively
  • E-comms can be a more reliable method of ensuring you receive the information you need
  • E-comms mean you can immediately gain receipt of proxy material, annual reports, notices of meetings and other materials
  • E-comms enable you to vote your proxy online for the proposals put forth to shareholders rather than having to return your vote through the mail
  • E-comms mean less paper, printing and transport, which reduces carbon emissions, uses fewer resources and means a more positive impact on our planet
  • With more and more shareholders, managers and directors focusing on a corporation’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives, e-comms can help align a company’s practices with its sustainability goals

If you have an Investor Center account:

  • Log in at www.computershare.com/investor
  • Click on 'View and update your profile'
  • Click on 'Communication Preferences' and then 'Account Communication Preferences'
  • You will see a list of your shareholdings
  • For the shareholding for which you would like to register for e-comms, click 'Edit'
  • Enter the email address you would like e-comms notifications to go to (or select 'Use same email as Investor Centre Membership'
  • Select 'Email' for each of the types of material you would like to receive notification about via email
  • Review the Terms and Conditions (which you can find by clicking on Terms and Conditions)
  • Select 'I agree to the Terms and Conditions'
  • Click submit
  • You should now see a message confirming that the update to your communications preferences has been successful
  • You can follow these steps to set your delivery preferences for other securities you hold for which you would like to receive e-comms
Once you set your preferences to receive digital communications, you’ll receive email notifications when new material, such as an annual reports, proxy voting forms, and statements are available to view online. Your email notification will be accompanied with a link to a page on Investor Center, where you can securely log in and view the available communications and documents.

US shareholders in US companies can also enroll in text messaging to receive notifications, alerts and select other account transactions via text message. Shareholders must have a US mobile number and a phone that can receive SMS/text messages.

If you have an Investor Center account:

  • Log in at www.computershare.com/investor
  • Click on ‘View and update your profile’
  • Click on ‘Text Communications’
  • You will see a field to enter your 10-digit U.S. mobile number
  • Enter the 10-digit U.S. mobile number you would like text messages sent to
  • Click the box next to the terms of consent
  • Click submit

You should now see a confirmation that your request to update text communications is being processed and receive a welcome text message from Computershare.

In the event that your email communication ‘bounces’ we will send a hard copy pack to you. You can also request a hardcopy. However, this does negate the benefits of having switched to ecomms, so we suggest shareholders only do this in exceptional circumstances. Our ability to send additional hard copies is subject to availability.

​GameStop effected a 4 for 1 ‘stock split’ through a 3 for 1 stock dividend, whereby on July 21, 2022 three additional shares were issued for every share held at record date, giving each shareholder a balance of four times the number of shares. Trading in the ‘split’ shares started on July 22. Computershare issued direct registration holding statements showing the 3 for 1 stock dividend distribution, giving the holder a balance of four times the number of pre-‘split’ shares to reflect this. 

​Investors who hold their GameStop shares in beneficial form via a broker should contact their broker if they have not received shares due to them from the GameStop ‘stock split’ of July 2022.