How to Sell Old Stock
- 1). Read the information on the stock certificate including the company name and CUSIP number. A CUSIP number is the identification number for a company registered for securities sales.
- 2). Contact a brokerage firm and provide them with the company name and CUSIP number. You can use a firm you already have a relationship with; ask for a referral from a tax adviser or bank or do an online search for "stock broker."
- 3). Ask whether a search for the CUSIP provides results of a company that is still trading stock. If the company no longer exists, the certificate is worthless. If there is a record and the stock is still trading, you should be able to liquidate the certificate.
- 4). Make a copy of the certificate for your records.
- 5). Submit the stock certificate into a brokerage account. If you don't have a brokerage account, request an account application from the brokerage firm that did the research for you. Open the account and send the certificate in.
- 6). Confirm that the stock is recorded in the account by calling the firm. Once it is in the account, put a "sell order" in, meaning instruct the brokerage firm to liquidate the stock. Write down the date and confirmation order of the sale.