What to do with paper stock certificates?

[ejchis]

Removed.

[JJ-]

As far as I know, most brokerages can help you convert them to "digital" shares as long as they can trade the shares that are on the paper certificate. There should be a CUSIP number on the certificate that they will need. As far as selling/keeping, you know... if it's in line with your investment strategy, keep them. If not, sell and allocate the funds per your AA.

[seattlecyclone]

Depositing paper certificates with a broker can be quite expensive (hundreds of dollars per certificate expensive). You may want to look into whether the companies in question have a way for you to liquidate your shares without depositing them with a third-party broker first.

[Spork]

Depositing paper certificates with a broker can be quite expensive (hundreds of dollars per certificate expensive). You may want to look into whether the companies in question have a way for you to liquidate your shares without depositing them with a third-party broker first.

Seriously?

I've only done this once, many years ago.  I inherited paper shares of stock my grandmother had.  It cost me nothing to deposit them.  I think at the time I was using E*trade.  I did have to fill out some form and get some special "like notary but different" to sign it.  (I can't remember what it was, just that it was similar to a notary and harder to find.)

For a quick and accurate answer: Just call Vanguard and ask them.

[Spork]

For a quick and accurate answer: Just call Vanguard and ask them.

Thanks. I called. I have to open a brokerage account and submit irrevocable stock power forms for each company and then mail everything in, and it will take a couple of weeks for them to be transferred.

We have so much more control over this stuff with the technology available today. The world has changed quite a bit.

FWIW: I HATEHATEHATE doing business over the phone and dealing with call center employees that never quite have the right answer... and I ALWAYS find Vanguard to just have the answer right away when I call.