Avenue charges a $150(US) fee for each DRS transfer. This means each time you want to direct register shares of a specific stock (no matter how many shares) you are charged $150.
Once your shares and $150 are settled in Avenue, you can send them a Letter of Instruction. This can be handwritten or typed, but it must be signed with wet ink. You can write it informally, or use the following templates: GameStop specific template, blank template for any stock.
Writing it yourself?
Be sure to include:
Say: “I want an outbound DRS transfer of my GME shares to Computershare”.
Put a statement agreeing to the fees (eg. I agree to the fee of $150 US associated with the DRS transfer).
Your Avenue account number, full name, phone number, email address, Tax ID.
The stock (GameStop), its ticker (GME), and its CUSIP (36467W109).
How many shares you want to transfer.
The Transfer Agent's name, DTC number, and address. In GameStop's case that's: Computershare US. DTC# 7807. Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 505005, Louisville, KY 40233-5005.
Optional: If you want the shares ordered in Last In First Out (newest shares transferred first), or First In First Out (oldest shares transferred first).
With your Letter of Instruction complete, write an email to: customer@avenue.us.
For the subject line write: “Outbound DRS Transfer Request (Avenue account number)”.
For the email write: “I would like an outbound DRS transfer as detailed in the attached Letter of Instruction. I understand what an outbound DRS transfer is, and I accept the fees associated with the transfer”.
Attach the Letter of Instruction.
Click on "Send".
The transfer will take 8-15 business days to process. If you're feeling uncertain you can check in with them by calling Avenue on +1-(786)-633-0988.
If you don't have an existing Computershare account:
Your broker and Computershare will take care of the transfer and open a Computershare account for you. This will take another 2-3 business days.
If you have an existing Computershare account:
Your broker will DRS transfer the shares based on your name and address. As a result, a second account may be created for you. This can be for a few reasons, such as a middle initial existing on one account, but not the other. If your name and address match exactly, then the transfer will process within the normal amount of time. If not, then it will take another 2-4 weeks for the account to be made and the DRS Account Statement sent out to you.
Your broker may ask you for a Computershare account number. For security reasons we do not recommend giving this information to your broker. With Computershare accounts, the account number is the "key" that allows brokers to authorize a transfer of shares out of the DRS and back to the broker.
After your shares leave your broker:
Now you will need to wait for the first Computershare letter to arrive.
This letter is the DRS Account Statement.
It will take another 2-6 weeks after your shares have left your broker.
If you don't want to wait around 4 weeks, you have a couple of options:
If you have transferred less than 10 shares, Computershare can give you your account number over the phone. Skipping the need for the first letter.
You can expedite the letter for $45 by giving payment details to Computershare over the phone. The letter will arrive within a week.
Computershare's non-US GME relations number is + 800-3823-3823. This number works across Europe, Hong Kong, Israel, New Zealand, and Thailand.
Otherwise the US toll free number is: +1 800-522-6645 and the US toll number is: +1 (201) 680 6578 (charges may apply). If you're outside of the US, you can get a free month trial with Skype to call these numbers.
If you don't hear any relevant options with the automated menu, you can keep pressing 0 to get through to a human.
If you are asked to verify your address and live outside of the US, you will have to use an ISO code instead of your country. For example, London in the UK is GB-LDN and Barcelona in Spain is ES-B. You can find your country's ISO codes through this wikipedia page.
When you have the DRS Account Statement:
Go to Computershare.com/us.
Click on “Login to Investor Center”.
Click on “Register Now”.
Make sure to select the “Holder Account Number” tab, instead of “Social Security Number”.
Select “I am not a U.S. Resident”.
Provide the Computershare account number that is on your DRS Account Statement (starts with “C”).
Provide your registered Zip/Postal code, and the name of the stock that you hold (GameStop).
Computershare will then prompt you to create your username, password and security questions.
Once your account is created, Computershare will send you a verification letter in the mail. This will arrive in 1 to 3 weeks.
If you'd like it sooner you can call Computershare and pay a $30 fee to get the verification code via email within 48 hours.
Computershare's non-US GME relations number is + 800-3823-3823. This number works across Europe, Hong Kong, Israel, New Zealand, and Thailand.
Otherwise the toll free US number is: 800-522-6645 (if you're outside of the US, you can get a free month with Skype to call this number for free).
If you don't hear any relevant options with the automated menu, you can keep pressing 0 to get through to a human.
If you are asked to verify your address and live outside of the US, you will have to use an ISO code instead of your country. For example, London in the UK is GB-LDN and Barcelona in Spain is ES-B. You can find your country's ISO codes through this wikipedia page.
When you receive the verification code letter:
Return to Computershare.com/us.
Click on “Login to Investor Center”.
Login using the username, and password you have created.
Then you can enter the verification code.
You now have full access to your Computershare account!
There is no more need for the verification code.
We recommend you now activate your two-step verification (2FA) to improve your account security. You can set this up by going to: "My Profile", then "Account Security Preferences".
W-8 BEN Tax Form:
At this stage it is important to first verify your tax status as a non-US citizen. While logged into your account, go to the My Profile tab, then “Tax Details”. A guide on how to fill in the W-8 BEN form is linked here.
You must fill in the W-8 BEN form before you buy any shares through Computershare, or add your banking information (especially if it's a US dollar account). Otherwise you will be assumed to be a US citizen.