To sell shares on Computershare, you log into your Investor Center account, select the holding you want to sell, and follow a five-step process that takes just a few minutes. Computershare acts as a transfer agent for many publicly traded companies, and while it’s not a traditional brokerage, it does let you sell shares directly through its platform. Here’s exactly how it works, what it costs, and how you’ll get paid.
How to Sell Shares Step by Step
Before you start, make sure your Investor Center account is set up and that your mailing address and bank information are current. If your banking details are outdated or missing, log in, go to “Banking & Payments,” and add or edit your bank account info first. This matters because Computershare uses those details to send your sale proceeds.
Once your account is ready, here’s the process:
- Select your holding. From your portfolio page, click on the stock you want to sell. On the right side of the screen, open the “Select Action” drop-down menu and click “Sell.”
- Pre-sale details. Confirm that your address and banking information are correct, then click “Next.”
- Order entry. Specify how many shares you want to sell (either by number of shares or by dollar amount) and choose your order type. More on order types below.
- Proceeds distribution. Choose how you want to receive your money. Options typically include a check mailed to your address or an ACH deposit directly to your bank account. Electronic deposit is faster and more secure.
- Review and submit. You’ll see a recap of your sale, including total proceeds after fees. To confirm, check the box acknowledging the terms and conditions, then type “YES” into the authorization box. This extra step exists to prevent accidental sales.
After submitting, you’ll get a confirmation page you can print for your records. That’s the entire process.
Choosing an Order Type
Computershare offers different order types when you sell, and the one you pick affects both how quickly the sale executes and what fees you pay.
A batch order groups your sale with other investors’ orders and executes them together, typically once per trading day. You won’t control the exact price your shares sell at since the trade happens when Computershare processes the batch. This is the cheaper option, with a transaction fee of $10 plus $0.10 per share sold.
A market order sells your shares as soon as possible at whatever the current market price is. You get faster execution but still don’t lock in a specific price, since market prices can shift between the time you submit and the time the trade goes through. Market orders carry a transaction fee of $20 plus $0.10 per share sold.
A limit order, if available for your holding, lets you set a minimum price you’re willing to accept. Your shares will only sell if the stock reaches that price or higher. This gives you the most control over what you receive, but there’s no guarantee the stock will hit your target price before the order expires.
For most people selling a modest number of shares and not in a rush, the batch order saves money. If timing matters or the stock is volatile, a market order gets it done faster. A limit order makes sense when you have a specific price target in mind and are willing to wait.
Fees You’ll Pay
Computershare deducts fees directly from your sale proceeds, so you don’t need to pay anything upfront. The fee structure breaks down like this:
- Batch order: $10 per transaction plus $0.10 per share
- Market order: $20 per transaction plus $0.10 per share
The per-share fees include any brokerage commissions Computershare pays on its end, so there are no hidden costs beyond what’s listed. To put this in practical terms, selling 50 shares via a batch order would cost $10 plus $5 (50 × $0.10), for a total of $15 deducted from your proceeds. The same sale as a market order would cost $25.
These fees are higher than what most online brokerages charge for stock trades (many now charge $0 commissions). If you’re selling a large number of shares and want to minimize costs, you might consider transferring your shares to a brokerage account first. But for straightforward sales, especially smaller ones, selling directly through Computershare is convenient enough that the fees may not justify the extra step of transferring.
How You Get Paid
During the sale process, you choose between receiving a paper check or a direct deposit (ACH transfer) to your bank account. Direct deposit is the better option in almost every case. It’s faster, eliminates the risk of a lost or stolen check, and gets your funds into your account without a trip to the bank.
Stock sales in the U.S. generally settle on a T+1 basis, meaning one business day after the trade executes. After settlement, Computershare processes your payment. If you selected direct deposit, the funds typically arrive within a few business days after settlement. Checks take longer because of mailing time.
If you haven’t already linked a bank account, you can do so through the “Banking & Payments” section of Investor Center before initiating your sale. You’ll need your bank’s routing number and your account number.
Selling by Phone or Mail
If you’d rather not use the website, Computershare also allows sales by phone or through written requests sent by mail. Calling their customer service line lets you speak with a representative who can walk you through the process. Selling by mail involves submitting a signed letter of instruction with details about what you want to sell, but this is the slowest option and can take weeks to process. For most people, the online process is the fastest and simplest route.
Things to Know Before You Sell
If you hold shares from an employer stock purchase plan or a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP), you may have fractional shares in your account. Computershare allows you to sell fractional shares, so you can liquidate your entire position if you choose.
Keep in mind that selling shares is a taxable event. Computershare will report the sale to the IRS, and you’ll receive a Form 1099-B for the tax year in which the sale occurred. If you’ve held the shares for more than one year, any gain qualifies for long-term capital gains rates, which are lower than short-term rates. Your cost basis information should be available in your Investor Center account, which is helpful when filing your taxes.
If your account has any restrictions, such as a legal hold or an address change processed within the past few days, you may be temporarily unable to sell online. Computershare’s customer service team can help resolve these issues.