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Registering for Shares 101

Updated over 2 months ago

🧾 Registering for Shares 101

When you invest through DealMaker, you’ll be asked to register your shares under a legal name or entity. This determines who legally owns the securities, how they are titled, and how they are treated for tax and inheritance purposes. It’s important that this information is entered correctly at the time of your investment — mistakes can delay or prevent share issuance.

This guide walks you through the process of registering shares, making changes, and planning for special situations like joint ownership or passing shares on to heirs.

🔐 1. Legal Registration Types

When prompted during your investment, you’ll choose how your shares should be legally registered. Common registration types include:

Individual Registration

Use your full legal name, exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID. This is the most common form of ownership for single investors.

Joint Registration

You may register shares jointly with another person (e.g., spouse or partner). When entering joint registration:

  • Use both individuals' full legal names.

  • Clearly indicate joint ownership in the formatting (e.g., John Smith and Jane Smith as Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship).

  • Be consistent with any estate or legal planning.

Entity or Trust

You may register under a business, LLC, trust, or other legal entity. Be sure to:

  • Use the full legal name of the entity (e.g., Smith Family Trust, dated 01/01/2020).

  • Ensure that supporting documentation (e.g., EIN, Articles of Incorporation) can be provided upon request.

  • Confirm that the entity is eligible to hold securities under applicable law.

🆔 2. Taxpayer Identification (TIN or SSN)

If you're a U.S.-based investor, you must provide your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), usually a Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) for entities.

This is required for:

  • Tax reporting to the IRS

  • Confirming your eligibility to invest

  • Completing identity verification (KYC)

Entering a valid TIN/SSN is necessary for your investment to be processed and securities issued.

📄 3. How Your Securities Are Issued

Once your investment is accepted and all compliance checks are complete, your securities will be issued in one of the following ways:

  • Electronically through a registered Transfer Agent, such as DealMaker TA

  • Directly recorded on the issuer’s shareholder ledger, in cases where a transfer agent is not used

Once issued, share certificates (if applicable) or proof of ownership can often be accessed through your DealMaker Engage Portal or the documents section of your investor dashboard.

🔄 4. Changing Registration Details

If you made an error when entering your registration details, or if your situation changes, you may request a correction or update before shares are issued.

To change your registration:

  • Contact DealMaker Support immediately

  • Be prepared to provide proof of identity or ownership (especially for trust/entity registrations)

  • Note that changes may not be possible once shares have been formally issued

Accuracy is critical — even minor discrepancies (e.g., misspelled names) can prevent your shares from being correctly recorded.

⚰️ 5. Planning for Inheritance or Death

If you are the sole owner of shares and pass away:

  • Ownership typically transfers via your estate or legal representative

  • DealMaker does not recommend sharing your login credentials with heirs

  • Instead, maintain up-to-date legal documents and inform your executor of your holdings

For joint registrations, surviving owners may retain full rights depending on the ownership structure (e.g., with right of survivorship). Your estate attorney should advise on best practices.

✅ 6. Investor Eligibility Requirements

To register and complete an investment on DealMaker, you must:

  • Be of legal age in your jurisdiction

  • Provide a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN, ITIN, or EIN)

  • Submit accurate contact and identity information

  • Meet offering-specific requirements (such as accreditation status or residency restrictions)

Certain deals are open to U.S. investors only; others may accept international investors. Always review the offering terms to confirm eligibility before submitting an investment.

📬 Need Help?

If you're unsure how to register your shares, or need to make changes after investing, our team can help.

Visit your DealMaker dashboard or contact DealMaker Support for assistance.

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