IEPFA Claim After Shareholder Death: Legal-Heir, Nomination and Company-Verification Workflow
By Ravi Sisodia · Reviewed by CA Divyanshu Sengar · Updated 5 October 2026
2-minute summary
- A legal representative can file IEPF-5 for a deceased shareholder, but the succession/transmission evidence must first establish who is entitled to the securities or amount. The exact document set depends on holding mode, nomination, joint holding, value and succession facts.
- IEPF FAQs point to transmission documentation such as death certificate, affidavits/indemnity and, where applicable, succession certificate, probate, letters of administration, NOCs or relinquishment documents. Do not assume nomination and legal-heir rights are identical in every fact pattern.
- The company nodal officer's e-verification is a substantive control. Align the claimant's IEPF-5, company transmission records, folio/demat history and succession documents before the EVR is filed.
Current position
Control and evidence map
| # | Control / evidence requirement | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obtain the death certificate and identify whether the holding was sole or joint and whether a valid nomination exists. | |
| 2 | Complete the company/RTA transmission process or prepare the prescribed succession evidence for the specific case. | |
| 3 | Reconcile claimant name, PAN, bank and demat details with the transmitted/verified company record. | |
| 4 | Use a document index that explains the entitlement chain, including NOCs or court/succession documents where applicable. | |
| 5 | Coordinate with the nodal officer before filing the EVR so the company's verification narrative matches the legal-heir documents. | |
Worked example
A sole shareholder dies and the shares had moved to IEPF. The daughter seeks refund. She first builds the entitlement file - death certificate, succession/nomination documents as applicable, KYC, demat/bank proof and company transmission confirmation - then files IEPF-5 and supports the company's e-verification.
Common mistakes
- Treating a death certificate alone as proof of entitlement to securities.
- Ignoring joint-holder or nominee status before starting a legal-heir claim.
- Filing IEPF-5 before the company can reconcile the transmission record.
- Using inconsistent names or addresses across succession, PAN, bank and demat records.
Frequently asked questions
Can a legal representative file IEPF-5?
Yes. The official IEPF-5 kit expressly recognises applications by a legal representative of a deceased person.
Is a succession certificate always mandatory?
No universal answer. The required transmission documents depend on the holding, nomination/joint-holder status, value and applicable rules/process.
Why is company verification important?
IEPFA relies on the company/bank e-verification report to validate the claimant and the amount/shares against historical records.
Official sources
- Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority - Instruction Kit for Form No. IEPF-5 (Form IEPF-5 / Rule 7; 2024-07-18)
- Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority - FAQs on claim procedure from IEPF Authority (IEPF claim FAQs; 2019-11-05)
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs - Instruction Kit for Form No. IEPF-5 E-Verification Report (IEPF-5 EVR / Rule 7(3); 2024)
Disclaimer
Educational and professional reference only; confirm the current law, rates and the facts of your case before relying on this page.