- 1). Determine if the company that issued the certificate still exists. Most stock certificates list a transfer agent who handled the transfer of the shares of stock. The transfer agent should be able to provide information about the company, including the value of any outstanding shares of stock.
- 2). Contact the Secretary of State in the state listed on the stock certificate and ask for the Business Corporations Section. This government office should be able to provide information regarding when the company started, when or if it went bankrupt or when it may have merged with another company.
- 3). Contact the new company if there is one and find out if the old certificates have any value.
- 4). Consult reference materials such as the Financial Stock Guide Service published by Financial Information Inc. This publication is a comprehensive list of active and obsolete stocks and their Custom Research Department can be reached at (800)367-3441. There is also Moody's Industrial Manual and Moody's OTC Industrial Manual or the National Stock Summary published by Pink Sheets LLC. These resources can be invaluable in researching old stock certificates.
- 5). Enlist the services of an online stock research website such as Scripophily.com. Sometimes, if you have exhausted all avenues, it may be time to hire an expert in the field.
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