Frequently asked questions
Answers before you create.
The practical limits, privacy details and company steps worth knowing first.
Can I use ShareCert for client work?
Yes. Law firms, accountants and company secretaries may prepare certificates for clients when authorised. After a download, choose Create another for this company to reuse company details and notices. Check the retained information for each new holder.
Is every company type and writing system supported?
No. The generator covers share-issuing Australian companies and the U.S. company types listed below. It does not cover nonprofits without shares, partnerships, trusts, unincorporated businesses, fractional units or New York partly-paid stock exceptions. An LLC certificate also needs authority under its operating agreement. PDF fonts support Latin, Greek and Cyrillic text; unsupported characters cause a visible error, not a silent replacement.
Which companies can use ShareCert?
ShareCert currently supports Australian companies and common U.S. startup paths: C corporations, S corporations, public benefit corporations, statutory close corporations, professional corporations and LLC membership interests. Delaware, California, New York, Texas and Florida receive dedicated prompts. Another-state certificates use general prompts and should be reviewed locally.
Why does the form ask where the company was formed?
Certificate requirements can depend on the place where the company was legally formed, rather than where its office, founder or investor is located. The selection can affect wording, signing guidance and required notices.
Does ShareCert issue or transfer ownership?
No. ShareCert formats a document from the information entered. It does not approve, issue or transfer shares or membership interests, obtain consents, update a company ledger or register, or make a regulator filing.
Does the certificate prove ownership?
ShareCert does not verify the information entered. Check the company’s ledger, member register or membership records, and have an authorised person review the certificate before it is signed or supplied.
Is the certificate guaranteed to be legally compliant?
No. Requirements can depend on the company type, formation law, governing documents, issuance documents and securities laws. ShareCert provides document formatting and general guidance, not legal advice.
What are the optional notice pages?
They let you append exact wording for legal notices, ownership rights, restrictions, transfer instructions and other terms. The text flows across additional pages automatically. ShareCert does not draft or verify wording you supply.
Can I create a certificate for an LLC?
Yes. An LLC usually has membership interests or units rather than corporate stock. Choose the LLC path to create a membership-interest certificate that refers to the operating agreement and membership records.
Which signing option should I choose?
Use only the officer, manager or officeholders authorised by the company’s governing law and documents. ShareCert provides prompts, but it does not verify appointments, titles or authority.
Where does the information I enter go?
Certificate information is processed in your browser to create the PDF. The generator does not upload the fields or save a server copy. Hosting and access providers may process technical data such as IP addresses and page requests separately.
Can I return later and edit a saved certificate?
Not currently. ShareCert does not save certificate projects. Download the finished PDF and keep it with the company’s own records. Closing or refreshing the page may clear the form.