Have you ever invested in shares long ago and then forgot about them? Or maybe a loved one passed away, and you found out later that they owned shares but never claimed the dividends? If that sounds familiar, don’t worry—you are not alone. Many people across India lose track of their investments. The good news is that you can still claim dividend from IEPF (Investor Education and Protection Fund).

This blog will help you understand what IEPF is, how to claim your dividends, and what steps to take if the shares were held by a deceased family member. We’ll also explain terms like apply for letters of administration and Name Deletion Updation in simple words.

What Is IEPF?

IEPF stands for Investor Education and Protection Fund. It was set up by the Government of India under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The main goal of IEPF is to protect investors' unclaimed money. If a company’s dividend is not claimed for 7 years, it is transferred to the IEPF.

That means if you or a family member didn’t collect dividend payments from a company for 7 years, that money (and the shares related to it) are moved to IEPF. But don’t worry—you can still get it back by following a legal process.

Who Can Claim from IEPF?

Anyone who is the rightful owner of the shares or dividend money can apply. This includes:

• The original shareholder
• Legal heirs (if the shareholder has passed away)
• Joint shareholders
• Nominees (if a nomination was registered)

How to Claim Dividend from IEPF: Step-by-Step

1. Find Out if You Have Unclaimed Dividends

Start by visiting the IEPF Website. Click on “Search Unclaimed Dividends” and enter the shareholder’s name and company name. You will see if any shares or dividends are lying unclaimed.

2. Download Form IEPF-5

Once you know the dividend or shares are with IEPF, the next step is to fill Form IEPF-5. This form is available on the IEPF website. Fill in your details like name, PAN number, Aadhaar number, and bank account details. Attach supporting documents such as:

• PAN card
• Aadhaar card
• Proof of address
• Original share certificates or proof of shares
• Cancelled cheque leaf

If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased person, read the next section.

What If the Shareholder Is Deceased?

In many cases, the shareholder may have passed away. In such cases, the legal heirs have to apply for letters of administration or a succession certificate if a Will is not available. These documents are issued by the civil court and confirm who is legally allowed to claim the assets.

What is "Apply for Letters of Administration"?

If there is no Will, a legal heir must go to court and apply for letters of administration. This is a legal paper that gives the heir the right to manage the assets of the deceased, including shares and dividends.

If There Is a Will

If the shareholder left a Will, the heir needs to apply for a probate (court approval of the Will). Once this is done, you can claim the dividend and shares.

What Is Name Deletion Updation?

Sometimes, shares are held jointly, and one of the holders passes away. In that case, the surviving shareholder needs to do Name Deletion Updation with the company. This means removing the name of the deceased person and updating the records.

Steps for Name Deletion Updation:

• Submit death certificate of the joint holder
• KYC documents of the surviving holder
• Request letter to the company/RTA (Registrar & Transfer Agent)
• Share certificates if in physical form

After this, you can proceed to claim the dividend from IEPF.

Submitting Documents to the Company

After submitting Form IEPF-5, you must send a copy of the form and documents to the Nodal Officer of the company that issued the shares. Every listed company has a designated Nodal Officer to handle IEPF claims.

You can find the officer’s details on the company’s website. Send the documents by registered post or courier, and keep a record of your submission.

Track Your Application

Once your claim is submitted, the company will verify the documents. If everything is correct, they will send their report to IEPF. After that, the IEPF authority processes your claim and transfers the shares/dividends to your bank and demat account.

You can track the status of your application online on the IEPF website.

Important Tips

• Make sure all names match exactly—your PAN, Aadhaar, bank account, and share certificates should show the same name.
• If there are name differences due to marriage or spelling, include a name change affidavit or gazette notification.
• Always keep copies of everything you send.

Conclusion

Losing track of your dividends or inherited shares can be frustrating. But with the help of the IEPF and proper documents, you can easily claim dividend from IEPF and even get back your lost shares. Whether you're a legal heir needing to apply for letters of administration, or a joint holder handling Name Deletion Updation, there’s a clear process to follow.

Don’t let your or your family’s hard-earned money go to waste—start the claim process today.