Share certificate- download free template

A share certificate is a formal certificate issued by a company to a shareholder to certify that they are registered shareowners in the company from a particular date. The Companies Act 2006 stipulates that a company must issue a share certificate when any shares are issued.  

Share certificates must be issued to shareholders within: 

• Two months after the initial company registration. 
• Two months of issuing new shares to the shareholders. Note -the Same time limit should be applied when transferring shares.  

Share certificates information 

A share certificate should have the following information: 

• Authorising signatures – two executives, an executive and a witness or an executive and the company secretary. 
• Certificate number  
• Company name and registration number 
• The registered office of the company 
• Name and address of the shareholder 
• Quantity, nominal value, and type of share issued – for example, 1 x £3 Ordinary Share. 
• Show if shares are partly paid, fully paid or unpaid. 

Where to get Share certificates  

You should receive your first share certificates from your company formation agent along with your incorporation documents after incorporation. If you register the company yourself, you will need to create your own Shareholder Certificate. 

Alternatively, you can download our free share certificate template (attached below) if you need to issue more certificates to new shareholders. This can also be used when you create new shares or sell your existing ones. 

How to issue share certificate 

A shareholder should be issued with one certificate for each class of shares taken on a particular subscription or transfer date - regardless of the number of shares. It is unnecessary to create separate certificates for each share of the same class if they are issued on the same date. However, if a shareholder takes more than one class of shares, a separate certificate should be issued for that class. 

If there is a situation where more than one person owns the same share, only one certificate needs to be issued although the shareholders can duplicate the certificate for their records if they want. 

When to issue a new certificate 

The company can give another share certificate to a shareholder who: 

• Loses their share certificate. 
• Whose certificate gets significantly damaged. Note – damaged certificates must be returned to the company to be destroyed. 
• Changes their name. There is no need to obtain a new certificate if a shareholder changes their address – you should update the statutory register of members instead.  

Download the free Share Certificate template now!