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Frequently Asked Questions

If you don't find your answer on this page, contact our friendly customer service reps who will be happy to help you.

 

OUR COMPANY

We specialize in one share stock gifts. We are easier, faster, cheaper, and less bureaucratic than a stock broker AND we provide stock certificates which brokers no longer do. In fact, brokers refer clients to us. Note that we do not provide investment advice.

GiveAshare is a highly reputable business founded in 2002. The company is a Google Trusted Store, is recommended by stock brokers and financial advisors, gets constant positive media attention, and has stellar Google Reviews, product reviews, and A+ BBB rating.  Also see our media and about pages.

OUR PRODUCTS

Absolutely! The recipient becomes a real shareholder of the company entitled to anything a shareholder gets like annual reports, declared dividends, invites to shareholder meetings, voting proxies etc. That's what makes this gift so unique!

Yes. We sell one share ownership at the price stated on the website. You can buy multiple single shares but the price remains the same for each one and you would get that many one share certificates in whatever frame you chose. For those wanting to buy multiple shares under the same name, if your primary purpose is to buy as an investment, you should consider going to a registered stock broker.

Yes. The name of a custodian must be provided for stock that is being bought for a minor. A custodian is a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult whose name will also appear on the registered stock. Only one minor child and one adult custodian name can appear on the stock certificate.

Yes. However, we cannot register the stock until we have a name for the child (and an adult custodian). When you place the order, enter "Baby Lastname" or whatever you want on the placeholder certificate in the Shareholder Name field. We will send the 1st part of the order out with the placeholder name, and hold off on registering the stock until after the estimated due date entered or the new parents have provided us with a name for the child - after he or she is born.

Yes! Generally, you will be able to use a credit card, but in some cases we may require a wire transfer to protect us from fraudulent orders.

Check out our Replica Stock Certificates if you already own shares in a company via a brokerage account, index fund, retirement account, education account, or any other investment account, and want a cool replica to commemorate your ownership. 

NOTE: The replica certificates are for display purposes only. No stock registration occurs and no ownership is conveyed.

We have to frame it but our keepsake folder is only $3.

ORDERING

We just need the shareholder's name and address. If the shareholder is a minor, we also need an adult custodian's name. The adult custodian can be a relative or any responsible adult.

Yes. It's always best to place your order online because you can check spelling and see how frame and mat selections look, but we are happy to take your order over the phone.

Yes.

We accept all major credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, and Discover). 

We perform fraud checks.  For high risk orders and orders from some countries we may require payment via Wise or wire transfer.

TIMING

We are fast!  Your order comes in 2 parts:

  • 1st Part - Personalized Replica Certificate - Leaves our AZ office in 1-2 business days.
  • 2nd Part - Ownership Document - Registered certificate or DRS statement - Sent in 3-7 weeks after legal stock registration process is complete directly from the transfer agent.

 

Other items:

  • Non-stock Orders - Leave our AZ office in 1-2 business days.
  • Custom Stock Orders - Leave our AZ office in 6-9 weeks.
  • Gift Announcements - Instantly print or email.
  • Gift Certificates - Instantly print or email.

We also offer expedited USPS/UPS shipping. Contact us about your gift deadlines and we can help you determine the right course of action.

SHIPPING

We ship via USPS and UPS.  See Important Shipping Information.

Yes.

We require the shareholder / recipient's address in order to register the stock, but during the ordering process you will also be asked to provide a 'Billing' and 'Shipping' address that can be different, giving you all the flexibility you need.

Our systems and processes do not allow us to charge your UPS/FedEx account.

MY STOCK CERTIFICATE

Registered Stock Certificate - A registered stock certificate is issued by a company and is the document that proves ownership.   Many of the companies on our stock list still offer real registered stock certificates.  Get one while you still can.  More on stock certificates.

Electronic Registration & Personalized Replica Stock Certificate - As you may know, the industry is trying to move away from registered stock certificates and register ownership electronically instead.  In this case, we register the stock electronically and provide a personalized replica certificate for display.  It looks like the real thing!  The shareholder also gets a DRS statement (like a bank statement) that proves ownership and includes the account number.

Each stock page will tell you if the company offers registered stock certificates or registers ownership electronically.

In rare cases, the transfer agent's printing process for registered stock certificates may leave slight creases or blemishes.  If your certificate has more than that, please contact us.

In the unlikely event that a company stops issuing registered stock certificates after your order, we will refund any applicable certificate fee. The shareholder will receive a Direct Registration Statement (DRS) showing his/her account number and proving ownership

I'M A SHAREHOLDER! NOW WHAT?

You are entitled to everything that any shareholder gets. This can include annual shareholder reports, declared dividends, invites to shareholder meetings, and any special shareholder perks (examples: Carnival gives cruise discounts, Willamette Valley gives wine discounts, etc). All of this makes for an everlasting gift that can be extremely educational and enjoyable.

Yes, for all stocks except Nintendo and LVMH. You are a true shareholder and can do anything you want with your stock.

You can sell your stock through a broker. In addition, some transfer agents (who handle shareholder activity for your company) allow you to sell shares through them.

All traditional brokers accept incoming stock transfers. If you hold the authentic registered stock certificate, simply deposit it into your brokerage account. If your ownership is registered electronically, initiate an Incoming DRS Transfer at the receiving broker (ask them how to do this).

Note:  Some of the newer, no-frills brokers may not offer this capability. For example, it appears that Robinhood may not at this time.

A Transfer Agent is a financial services firm appointed by the company to handle all shareholder administration like managing your shareholder account, sending out stock certificates (if the company offers them), sending out annual reports, managing declared dividends, and handling address changes. 

Your Transfer Agent may send you a W-9 form (W-8 non US) requesting your tax id number.  

Make sure you report any address changes, lost certificates, etc to your transfer agent, and set up online access to your account at your transfer agent's website.  

Here is a list of the transfer agents that handle the stocks we sell. 

If you are a non-U.S. shareholder with an account at AST or EQ, you can request a registered stock certificate.

Send a signed written request including:
1.    Your name and address as listed on the account.
2.    Your account number (if known).
3.    The company name of the stock for which you're requesting a certificate.
4.    Your signature as the account holder.

Where to Send Your Request:
For AST shareholders, mail to:
EQ
P.O. BOX 500
Newark, NJ 07101

For EQ shareholders, mail  to:
EQ Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 64854
St. Paul, MN 55164-0854