Guides to old stock certificates
How to research an old certificate yourself, who can confirm what it’s worth, and how to cash it in or claim it.
How to find out if an old stock certificate is worth anything
A step-by-step way to research an old paper stock certificate for free: what to read on it, where to look up the company, and who can confirm what the shares are worth.
Updated November 3, 2026
How to read an old stock certificate
What each part of an old stock certificate means, front and back: the company name, certificate number, shares, state, signatures, transfer agent, CUSIP and the transfer form.
Updated November 3, 2026
How to cash in old stock certificates
What it takes to sell or cash in old paper stock certificates: confirming the shares are still good, the transfer agent, signature guarantees, estate paperwork and lost certificates.
Updated November 3, 2026
How to look up a stock certificate number
What the numbers on a stock certificate mean, why there is no public lookup for certificate numbers, and how the transfer agent and the CUSIP number help.
Updated November 3, 2026
Old stock certificates and unclaimed property
How shares and buyout payments end up with a state unclaimed property office, which states to search, and how to claim them without paying a finder.
Updated November 3, 2026