Buying paper share certificates for someone else?

Gene

Would appreciate if anyone has any advice on this.

My girlfriend's brithday is coming up and I would like to buy some shares for her (yes, I know, doesn't sound very romantic, but it takes all kinds...). I'm looking to spend approximately £100, not including fees.

Being pretty inexperienced in this though I have two stumbling blocks:

a. Can anyone recommend where I can buy actual physical paper share certificates as opposed to electronic ones. I want to buy paper ones as they are more of a gift than just showing someone a screen. Everywhere I've seen adds big additional fees if you want a paper certificate (understandably as it is far less convenient for the broker)...

b. Can I buy shares in someone else's name? I want my girlfriend's name on the share certificate not mine. I'm worried that some sort of money laundering legislation will get in my way here?

Any help would be gratefully received.

vicallen2004

Hi there. I work at a stock brokers so can only tell you what we would tell our clients if that is of any use to you.

There is an option usually to purchase shares and hold them in certificated form as opposed to electronically, (in nominee). There is an extra charge for this at most brokers. It isn't huge but is worth asking first. It is also worth checking that the shares you want to buy can be held in that way as some shares can only be held in nominee.

Secondly, there are quite a few clients that like to buy shares for other people. The most common being for a first wedding anniversary (paper) or shares in a football club for a present etc. We would just ask for a letter from the buyer informing us of the full name and address of the registered holder and stating that the holder is over eighteen and the shares are a one off gift. That usually suffices.

From experience, the share certificate may take longer to come through then usual depending whether your chosen broker and their procedures when registering the shares. I would ask for a general time scale from then as the shares are a present.

If there is anything else I can help with or clarify please let me know.