UK Share Transfer & Sale Services
UK Shares – Sale, Transfer & Estate Administration
UK shares can be sold or transferred in various situations, including personal ownership, estate administration, and corporate or nominee holdings. However, the process varies based on how someone holds the shares and who has the legal authority to act.
Share Data provides specialist support to help executors, professionals, and private individuals accurately manage UK shares, particularly when certificates are involved, or shares form part of an estate.
Who can deal with UK shares?
In the UK, shares may be sold or transferred by:
- The registered shareholder holds the shares personally.
- An executor or administrator, where shares form part of a deceased estate
- An authorised attorney, acting under a valid power of attorney
The ability to proceed depends on the type of shares, how they are held (certificated or electronic), and whether the person acting has the appropriate legal authority.
UK listed shares
Most sellers use a regulated UK stockbroker or share-dealing platform. Where shares are held electronically, the process is often straightforward.
Many clients hold shares in certificated form; in such cases, additional steps are commonly required, including verification of the holding, replacement of missing certificates, and liaison with registrars and brokers before a sale can proceed.
UK shares in an estate
When UK shares are part of an estate, the executor or administrator typically deals with them once the court issues a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.
Estate-related share matters often involve:
These cases frequently require specialist administrative support to avoid delays and errors.
Private company shares
Private UK companies do not trade their shares on a public exchange. The company’s articles of association and any shareholders’ agreement govern the sale or transfer of shares, which may restrict the buyers or require approval from existing shareholders.
Our Four-Step Process
Validation of Shareholding
We confirm certificate details and assist in replacing any missing or lost documents.
Form Preparation
We prepare all required share transfer or sale documents for your signature.
Registrar Submission
Signed forms are submitted to the appropriate registrar or broker for processing.
Certificate Transfer or Sale of Shares
Once processed, shares are either transferred or sold, and payment is remitted to your chosen bank account.
Please note: If you are selling shares, you may be liable to pay Capital Gains Tax on any profit earned.
Dividend Recovery Services
Unlock the value of forgotten shareholdings.
Shareholders frequently leave dividends unclaimed for years. Share Data can recover these, along with dividend schedules for historic and current tax years (useful for Income Tax reporting)
Replacement of Lost Share Certificates
Have you lost a share certificate? We specialise in replacing lost or destroyed certificates of any value. Even for high-value holdings that require a countersignature by an external provider we offer a secure, straightforward process.
For countersignatures, typically, our service fee ranges from 1.5% to 3% of the certificate’s market value
We liaise with registrars to obtain valid duplicates quickly and efficiently
Probate & Document Replacement Support
For UK estates, we assist with the acquisition of:
For overseas documents or cross-border estate support, please contact us directly for a tailored quote based on the jurisdiction involved.
FAQ
Who can sell UK shares in the UK?
UK shares may be sold by the registered shareholder, an executor or administrator acting for an estate, or an authorised attorney. In each case, the ability to sell depends on the manner in which the shares are held and on whether the person acting has the appropriate legal authority. In practice, certificated holdings and estate-related shares often require additional administrative steps before a sale can proceed.
Can executors sell UK shares?
Yes. Executors or administrators may sell UK shares once they have obtained the appropriate authority, such as a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. At that point, they can instruct the necessary steps to deal with the shares as part of the estate administration.
Do I need a broker to sell UK shares?
In most situations, UK listed shares are sold through a regulated UK stockbroker or share dealing platform. However, where shares are held in certificated form, additional administration is often required before a broker can complete the sale.
Are private company shares sold in the same way?
No. Private UK company shares are not publicly traded. Instead, their sale or transfer is governed by the company’s articles of association and any shareholders’ agreement, which may restrict how and to whom the shares can be transferred.