Prepare a certificate by copying the company, holder and ownership details from approved records, adding any required notices, then checking the complete PDF before arranging signatures. The certificate generator handles the layout; it does not carry out the share issue.
An example, field by field
This fictional stock certificate shows the main parts of the document. Select a number to read its explanation. Different company types need different fields.
Certificate reference
CS-0001 identifies this certificate in the example company’s records. Use the reference allocated by your company. ShareCert does not check existing numbers or allocate an official one.
Company and formation details
Northstar Robotics, Inc. is the fictional company in this example. Enter the exact legal name, not just a trading name. The formation state is Delaware; it is not determined by the holder’s address or where the business trades.
Registered holder
Alex Morgan is the example holder. Copy the legal holder from the company’s records, including joint holders where applicable. If a trustee or another entity holds the interest, confirm the correct wording with the company’s adviser.
Share count, class and par value
This example records 25,000 shares of Common Stock at a par value of $0.0001 per share. These are illustrative facts, not recommended values. Enter the exact quantity and class or series from the records. Par value is not the market value or necessarily the price paid.
Authorised signers
The example leaves signature lines for a President and Secretary. Your company’s signing arrangement may differ. A printed name is not a signature, and ShareCert does not provide electronic signing or verify authority.
Date and notices
Use the certificate’s actual issue date, not automatically today’s date. Inspect any notices on the certificate face and all additional pages. This sample includes a second page to demonstrate the layout, not to supply wording for your company.
Follow the company records, not the sample
For an Australian share company, the form asks for its ACN and paid and unpaid amounts per share. For an LLC, the document describes a membership interest rather than corporation stock. See the certificate terminology guide if you are unsure which to choose.
If a detail is missing, stop and ask the person responsible for the records. Do not assume that shares are fully paid, that there is no par value, or that no restrictions apply.
Add notices without rewriting them
Paste the exact text supplied by the company’s adviser or governing documents. ShareCert can place that text on additional pages and continue it when it is long. Check the entire downloaded PDF, not just the on-screen certificate preview.
Choosing “certificate only” does not remove a requirement for a notice. Confirm how any required wording will be included before the certificate is signed or delivered.
Before it leaves your desk
- Match the holder, quantity, class and reference to the current records.
- Check spelling, dates, payment details and all notice pages.
- Confirm signing authority and arrange the required signatures.
- Keep the final document and complete the company’s separate recordkeeping process.
Need to gather the details first? Use the preparation checklist.