How to Claim Unclaimed Shares and Dividends from ASIC: Documents, Process and Timeline

You’ve found shares, dividends or an insurance payout in the ASIC MoneySmart database under your name. The next step is submitting a claim — and the process varies depending on the asset type.

Claiming shares or dividends has specific requirements that differ from a standard bank account claim. Proof of original ownership, share registry records, and in some cases a statutory declaration about how you acquired the shares can all be required. Getting the wrong documents together adds weeks to your timeline.

This guide covers exactly what ASIC requires for each investment asset type, how the verification process works, and what realistic timelines look like from submission to payment.

Documents Required — By Asset Type

What ASIC requires depends on what you’re claiming and your situation. Investment asset claims sometimes require additional documentation beyond standard identity verification.

Asset Type & Claim Situation	Core Documents	Additional If Needed
Shares — your own name, no changes	Photo ID + proof of previous address matching register	Share certificate if available
Shares — name discrepancy (e.g. maiden name)	Photo ID + marriage certificate or deed poll	Statutory declaration confirming name history
Unclaimed dividends — your own name	Photo ID + proof of previous address	Tax records showing dividend income if queried
Insurance proceeds — living beneficiary	Photo ID + policy documents if available	Statutory declaration if no policy documentation
Deceased estate — with will	Death certificate + grant of probate + executor’s photo ID	Marriage certificate if name changed
Deceased estate — no will	Death certificate + letters of administration + your ID	Statutory declaration of relationship to deceased
On behalf of living person	Written authorisation or power of attorney + your photo ID	Medical documentation if claiming due to incapacity

💡 Make copies of all documents before submitting. ASIC does not return originals in some cases, and having copies makes it straightforward to address any follow-up queries without delays.

How to Submit Your Claim to ASIC — Step by Step

ASIC accepts claims online, by post, and in some cases by email. Online is the fastest and the recommended method for straightforward claims.

1. Go to moneysmart.gov.au/find-unclaimed-money and locate your result by searching your name
2. Click ‘Claim this money’ next to the relevant account reference number
3. Complete the online claim form — your name, current address, and account reference
4. Upload scanned copies of your identity documents (PDF or JPEG, under 5MB each)
5. For name discrepancies: include supporting documents (e.g. marriage certificate) in the same upload
6. Submit the form — you’ll receive an automated confirmation email with a claim reference number
7. Keep that reference number — you’ll need it if ASIC contacts you with follow-up questions

Postal claims are accepted if you cannot submit online. Allow 6–8 weeks for postal processing versus 28 business days for online claims.

Claiming Forgotten Shares: What to Expect

Share claims are processed like other unclaimed money claims — but ASIC may contact the original share registry to verify the holding before approving payment.

• Current share value is not relevant — ASIC pays the nominal value at the time of transfer to the register, not the market value of the shares today
• Dividends are separate entries — if you find both shares and dividends in the register, each requires its own claim reference number
• Original share certificates are helpful but not required — if you have them, include them; ASIC can verify without them
• Company restructures don’t affect your claim — ASIC holds the value as lodged, regardless of what happened to the company afterwards

⚠️ If you held shares in multiple companies during the 1990s privatisations, search and submit claims for each separately. Each entry in the register has its own reference number and must be claimed individually.

Timelines and What to Realistically Expect

There is no deadline to claim — ASIC holds money indefinitely. The time from submission to payment depends on the complexity of your claim.

Claim Type	Typical Processing Time	Payment Method
Straightforward personal claim (online)	15–28 business days	Direct bank transfer
Claim with name discrepancy	28–45 business days	Direct bank transfer
Insurance proceeds claim	28–60 business days	Direct bank transfer
Deceased estate — with probate	28–60 business days	Transfer to estate account
Deceased estate — no will	60–90+ business days	Requires letters of admin first
Disputed claim	Varies	Held until legally resolved

⚠️ No interest accrues on unclaimed money while held by ASIC. The amount you receive is the nominal value at the time the institution lodged the entry — this is particularly relevant for shares, where market values have changed significantly since transfer.

How ASIC Pays You — and What Happens If There’s a Problem

Once your claim is approved, ASIC pays by direct bank transfer to an Australian account in your name.

• Australian BSB and account number required — overseas accounts are not accepted
• Account must be in your name — ASIC will not transfer to a third party or agent
• Deceased estates: provide the estate’s dedicated bank account, or your personal account if the estate has been finalised
• Amount paid: full nominal value as lodged — no deductions, no ASIC fees
• Tax: generally a return of your own capital, not income — seek advice if the amounts are substantial or the situation is complex

If your claim is rejected, ASIC will explain the reason in writing. You can resubmit with additional documentation at no cost.

After You Receive Payment — What Most People Overlook

Receiving payment from ASIC for forgotten shares or dividends often prompts people to look more carefully at what else they may have missed.

1. Search again under any name variations you may not have tried
2. Search for deceased relatives — parents and grandparents frequently held shares or policies that are now part of their estate
3. Check for unclaimed dividends separately — each payment is a separate register entry
4. Search the names of any insurance beneficiaries named in wills you are administering
5. Check for lost superannuation separately through myGov — super is held by the ATO, not ASIC

The most commonly overlooked asset after recovering shares and dividends is lost superannuation. The process to find and consolidate every super account runs entirely through myGov — separate from ASIC but equally free and straightforward.

✅ If you have worked for more than one employer in Australia, you almost certainly have more than one super account. Every duplicate charges annual fees. Finding and consolidating them could save you thousands.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always verify information directly with ASIC, the ATO, or a qualified financial adviser before taking action.