PLEASE READ: In early 2023 Revolut suspended all transfers while they move their asset management from DriveWealth to a new company. We will update this guide when transfering is reintroduced. As of mid 2024, only UK users have been able to transfer anything.
UK users click here to jump to the original guide, otherwise continue reading below.
Revolut does not allow transfers of any kind.
To direct register your shares, you are left with a few options:
Stop buying with your non-transferring broker and instead buy with a broker that can direct register shares. For example: Fidelity or Interactive Brokers
Sell your shares from your non-transferring broker and wait for the cash. to settle back into your bank account. Then repurchase your shares using that cash (risky due to volatility).
Buy shares in a broker that can direct register. Then sell from your non- transferring broker at a similar price, (requires extra cash, but reduces risk).
This isn't advocating day trading in any way shape or form; GME is too volatile. While you may make some gains, selling in any shape provides short hedge funds with liquidity. Those shares, and that liquidity is removed permanently if the re-purchased shares are directly registered.
Option 1: Hold and buy elsewhere
Continue to hold your shares with your non-transferring broker.
Open an account with a broker that can direct register shares. IBKR is a popular choice as it's an international broker that can direct register quickly, and for a $5(US) fee, (guide here).
Purchase a share through Give A Share to open your Computershare account (link here), then purchase more shares directly through Computershare, (guide here).
Option 2: Sell and repurchase
Please note: selling at a profit, or from a tax advantaged account may create a taxable event.
Sell a batch of shares from your non-transferring broker (or all of them) and wait for the cash to settle and withdraw it to your bank account.
Fund your new broker account with the cash now it's available.
Buy your shares with the cash. Hopefully the same amount of shares if the price is close to when you sold.
A few things to bear in mind with this option:
You may be adversely impacted by volatility. You may benefit if there is a dip, but you might lose out if the price increases.
You may be adversely impacted by transaction fees. If your broker charges for each sale, then you increase the number of fees to pay.
It's also worth bearing in mind that there will be currency conversion fees and (depending on your broker) a DRS transfer fee.
Option 3: Buy first, then sell
Please note: selling at a profit, or from a tax advantaged account may create a taxable event.
Decide how many shares you can purchase at a time.
Buy a batch of shares from the broker that can direct register. IBKR is a popular choice because they are international, can direct register shares quickly, and for a $5(US) fee, (guide here).
Go to your non-transferring broker and sell the shares for a similar price (preferably for a little more to cover the various small fees).
Wait for the cash from your sales to settle and withdraw it as soon as it does.
Wait 3 days for your new shares to settle, then direct register them.
Once the cash from your sale is back in your bank account, you can fund the broker again and repeat from the first step.
If you go for option 2 or 3, or a combination of them you do risk losing some of your investment through volatility. This would be the case for any stock, let alone one as volatile as GME. It is stressful and takes patience.
UK users guide:
DISCLAIMER: Initiating any kind of transfer (DRS, ACAT, DTC, FOP, etc.) will temporarily freeze your Revolut account until all of the shares are settled with the receiving broker or transfer agent. You will not have access to any trading during this time, even if there is an active position in your account. Access to all funds and trading will resume when the transfer is complete.
Revolut previously did not charge a fee to transfer to the DRS, but they introduced a $55 fee without notice on 02/02/2023. This means you will be charged $55 each time you initiate a DRS transfer, regardless of how many shares are being transferred.
If you want to save some money, you can use this guide and swap out Computershare's info with account details from another broker. IBKR can transfer to the DRS for $5. XTB and Tradestation both charge a $25 fee to transfer to the DRS. All 3 options are available in the same regions as Revolut.
Once your shares and $55 are settled in Revolut:
Make sure you have the latest version of the app (version 8.90 or later), older versions do not support transfers.
You can log into your Revolut app, and reach out to Revolut support. To do this:
Tap your profile bubble in the top left hand corner.
Tap on "Help", then tap on "Chat".
Tell the support agent you would like to request a DRS transfer and they will transfer you to the appropriate team.
The transfer team will tell you they have initiated the process, and will ask if you now see a banner in the app.
Return to the "Stocks" section of the app and you will see the transfer banner. Tap on it and you will be asked to fill in some information.
Fill in the receiving firms name (Computershare US).
You will also be asked for an account number with the receiving firm. For Computershare accounts it is recommended you leave this blank, even if you have an existing Computershare account. This is for security reasons. 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.
The final step is to accept the $55 fee and pay it.
The transfer should take 5-7 business days to process, but Revolut will warn it takes up to 30 days.
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 2-3 business days.
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 contact number is +800-3823-3823. This is a free number that can only be called from landlines in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, and the UK.
Please note: The number is only available between 08:00 and 14:00 (GMT). Otherwise you will be put through to Computershare headquarters in the USA without notice.
Otherwise, the US toll-free number is: +1 800-522-6645 and the US toll number is: +1 (201) 680 6578 (taxes may apply). If you're outside the US, you can get a free trial month of 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 last name, surname, or business name.
Enter 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.
Europeans can request the letter be sent from Computershare's UK office instead.
Computershare's non-US GME contact number is +800-3823-3823. This is a free number that can only be called from landlines in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, and the UK.
Please note: The number is only available between 08:00 and 14:00 (GMT). Otherwise you will be put through to Computershare headquarters in the USA without notice.
Otherwise, the US toll-free number is: +1 800-522-6645 and the US toll number is: +1 (201) 680 6578 (taxes may apply). If you're outside the US, you can get a free trial month of 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 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 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.