Joint Accounts

There are two types of joint ownership of securities, tenants in common and joint tenants (with rights of survivorship).

If you have securities in the name of more than one person, you can tell the type of registration from the way the certificate is registered:

• John Doe and Mary Doe, Joint Tenants – joint tenants with rights of survivorship
• John Doe and Mary Doe, Jt. Ten. – joint tenants with rights of survivorship
• John Doe and Mary Doe, Jt. Ten.WROS. – joint tenants with rights of survivorship
• John Doe and Mary Doe, Ten. Com – tenants in common
• John Doe and Mary Doe – tenants in common

• Securities transfer form for shares and warrants
• Securities transfer form for debt instruments

When one of the holders dies and the securities are held as joint tenants, in Canada (except for Québec) the shares automatically pass to the survivor. 

To arrange for their reissue in the name of the surviving tenant(s), deliver the certificate or share ownership statement, along with an original or notarial copy of the death certificate to the transfer agent.  A securities transfer form is not necessary. 

When the securities are held as tenants in common, there is no automatic transfer to the surviving holder(s) upon the death of one of the holders. 

The deceased person’s interest in the securities becomes part of their estate just as it would if held in their name alone.