Dematerialisation is the process by which physical share certificates of an investor are converted to an equivalent number of securities in electronic form and credited into the investor’s account maintained with his/her depository participant (DP). It is like having a bank account where instead of money, you hold securities in your account.

In order to dematerialise physical securities held by an investor, he has to fill in a DRF (Demat Request Form) which is available with the DP and submit the same along with physical share certificates one wishes to dematerialise. Separate DRF has to be filled for each ISIN Number.

ISIN (International Securities Identification Number) is a unique identification number for a security. India follows the norms stipulates by Association of National Numbering Agency (ANNA) which is the international body for issue of ISINs. National Securities Also note that ISIN of a security changes in case of certain corporate action such as split in share par value, consolidation of share capital etc. Hence you have to quote the correct ISIN at the time of giving dematerialisation request as well as at the time of transfer of shares.