What is a transfer of shares?

A transfer of shares is the movement of one or more shares in a company from one person (the transferor) to another (the transferee), thereby changing the ownership of the shares and the portion of the company the shares represent.
Share transfers are often carried out in exchange for cash or other non-cash consideration, which may be subject to Stamp Duty.

How long will it take to transfer shares?
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Share transfers usually take two to three days to complete. This includes the drafting of the documentation and the signing by the relevant parties. The transfer is then officially completed when it is entered into the company’s own records.
Timescales will be longer if Stamp Duty needs to be paid to HMRC as part of the process (see below ‘Is stamp duty payable on share transfers?’ for when this applies).
A confirmation statement can be submitted afterwards to immediately display the transfer on the public record, although this isn’t compulsory.
How does this service work?
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  • Email us, complete the short application form, checkout, and pay
  • We will email you if we require additional information about your transfer(s)
  • You will receive digital documents in 2-3 working days by email
  • The documentation should be signed in accordance with the instructions provided when we deliver them
  • If required, we will file a confirmation statement to report the details of the share transfers publicly. This service can be added during the order process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information do I need to provide to transfer shares?
​You will need to provide us with your company name, registration number, and authentication code, together with the following information about your transfer:
  • The name and address of the person(s) selling the shares
  • The name and address of the person(s) buying the shares
  • The number of shares being transferred
  • The consideration (amount paid) for each transfer
  • The next share certificate number we should use
If a confirmation statement has also been purchased with the order, we’ll also need you to confirm the date the documentation was signed.
If you are unsure about any of the above points, our Company Secretarial Team will be pleased to assist.

What classes of share can be transferred using this service?
Any share class issued in a company can be transferred using this service.

Can I buy this service if I did not register my company through Rapid Formations?
Yes. You do not need to have incorporated your company through us to make use of this service.

Will I receive new share certificates as part of this service?
Yes. You will receive your new share certificate(s) together with the rest of your documentation when we dispatch them to you by email.

When will my documents be ready and how will they be delivered?
Your documents will be ready and delivered within 2-3 working days, provided we receive the information we require. If we do not have all the information needed, we will email you in advance.
Is Stamp Duty payable on share transfers?
Stamp Duty is usually payable on share transfers when the consideration (the amount paid for the transfer) is above £1,000. Any Stamp Duty owed should be paid to HMRC by the buyer of the shares within 30 days. Failure to do so may result in the buyer facing a penalty.

When do Companies House record the details of a share transfer on the public record?
Details of a share transfer are recorded publicly on Companies House when the company next files a confirmation statement. It is not normally compulsory to submit a confirmation statement immediately after a transfer of shares, as the company can wait until the next confirmation statement becomes due.
However, it is considered good practice to submit a confirmation statement after a transfer takes place as it ensures that the public record is up to date with the most recent details regarding the company’s ownership. This is particularly important when opening a bank account or applying to lenders.

How do I include a confirmation statement filing with my order?
If you want the details of the share transfers to show on Companies House straight away, you can add the Confirmation Statement Service to your order, when completing the short application form.

How do I update my People with Significant Control (PSC) at Companies House?
You can purchase our People with Significant Control (PSC) filing service if your PSCs need to be updated (due to this share transfer) at Companies House. 
Email us at [email protected]
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IBA CUSTOMER

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