To complete a Computershare change of address, sign in to Investor Center at computershare.com/Investor and update your profile, mail a signed Change of Address form to Computershare’s Providence PO box, or call the shareholder services number listed for the company whose stock you hold. Any of the three routes takes roughly five to ten business days to process, and Computershare mails a confirmation letter once the update is applied.
What to Have Ready
Every method asks for the same core information, so gather it before you start:
- Your Computershare account number, printed on dividend check stubs and account statements.
- The name of the company whose stock you hold. Computershare keeps a separate account record for each issuer.
- The full registration name on the account, exactly as it appears in Computershare’s records.
- Your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, which the transfer agent uses to match ownership records and issue accurate tax documents.1Internal Revenue Service. Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN)
- The current address on file and the new address, including any apartment or unit number.
- A daytime phone number in case Computershare needs to reach you during processing.
If you hold stock in more than one company through Computershare, each holding has its own account number. You have to update each one separately. Changing the address on one does not carry over to the others.
Update Online Through Investor Center
The online route is the fastest. Sign in at computershare.com/Investor and go to the profile or address section. Computershare also links directly to the address-change tool from its contact page.2Computershare. Contact Us The submission is encrypted, and the change generally appears in your account summary shortly after you submit it.
If you have not registered for Investor Center, you will need your Holder Account Number to create the login. The registration walks you through identity verification. Once you have the account, the same portal handles banking details, statements, and check replacements, so it is worth setting up even if the address change is all you came for.
Submit the Form by Mail
If you prefer paper, fill out the Change of Address form completely, then sign and date it. Joint accounts have a second signature line; both registered holders need to sign. Mail it to:
Computershare
PO Box 43007
Providence, RI 02940-3007
For overnight or courier delivery, use the physical street address instead:
Computershare
150 Royall Street, Suite 101
Canton, MA 020212Computershare. Contact Us
Certified mail with a return receipt gives you proof of delivery, which is worth the small extra cost. Do not mix the two addresses. Regular USPS mail sent to the courier address, or a courier package sent to the PO box, can delay processing.
Change Your Address by Phone
Computershare’s phone system can initiate an address change, but the number varies by the company whose stock you hold. Check your most recent statement or Computershare’s contact page for the number tied to that issuer. For general inquiries and check replacements, the U.S. line is 1-866-761-1380 and the international line is 1-781-575-2138.3Computershare. Replace a Check You will verify your identity through security prompts before a representative processes the change. Some account types still require a written signature to finalize the update.
Deceased and Fiduciary Accounts
If you are an executor, administrator, or agent under a power of attorney, a routine address change is not the right tool. Requirements depend on the state of legal residence, the account value, and the type of authority you hold. Computershare’s online transfer tool generates a customized Transfer Package after you enter the deceased shareholder’s account number, company name, date of death, and state of residence.4Computershare. Deceased Transfer A Medallion Signature Guarantee may be required depending on the account value.5Computershare. What Is a Medallion Guarantee
Processing Time and Confirmation
Plan on five to ten business days from the date Computershare receives your request. During that window, the transfer agent cross-references your information against existing records to guard against unauthorized changes. Computershare then mails a confirmation notice as a security measure. If you did not request the change, that letter is your alert.
Log into Investor Center after the processing window to confirm the new address in your account summary. If you mailed the form and the update has not posted, having your certified mail tracking number ready will help shareholder services locate the request.
Why Keeping Your Address Current Matters
An outdated address does more than delay mail. Dividend checks, 1099-DIV tax forms, and proxy voting materials all go to the address on file. If Computershare’s mail comes back undeliverable and you do not contact them for an extended period, generally three to five years depending on the state, your shares and uncashed dividends can be classified as unclaimed property and turned over to the state through escheatment.6Computershare. Unclaimed Property Most states set the dormancy period at three years for securities; some use five. Reclaiming escheated property from a state unclaimed property office is possible but slow and paperwork-heavy.
Regular account activity resets the inactivity clock. Logging into Investor Center, cashing dividend checks promptly, or enrolling in direct deposit all count.
Switch to Direct Deposit While You Are In There
Checks mailed to an old address are the most common casualty of a delayed update. Direct deposit removes the risk entirely. Sign into Investor Center, go to Banking & Payments, and add your bank account.7Computershare. Manage Banking Details Banking updates are only available through Investor Center or the Computershare mobile app. You cannot enroll by phone or mail.
Replacing Checks Sent to the Old Address
Update your address first. Otherwise, the replacement check goes to the same outdated address. Once the new address is on file, request replacements through Investor Center or by calling 1-866-761-1380 in the U.S. or 1-781-575-2138 internationally. Replacements arrive within seven to ten days after the request is verified.3Computershare. Replace a Check Each company account needs its own replacement request. Payments issued in a foreign currency have to be requested through the company-specific phone number, not the general line.
If You Live Outside the United States
The address change itself works the same way through Investor Center or by mail. Your tax paperwork may need a second look, though. Computershare’s tax self-certification tool determines whether you need to complete a Form W-8BEN based on your country of residence and share type, and it requires a permanent residential address. A P.O. Box, work address, or care-of address will be rejected.8Computershare. Certifying Your Tax Status Online If you are moving between countries, log into the self-certification portal after your address update to check that your tax status still reflects where you actually live.