The J30 Stock Transfer Form: Everything You Need to Know

A J30 Stock Transfer Form is the document that records a transfer of shares from one shareholder to another, and it's the paperwork you complete whenever shares in a private company change hands. It doesn't notify Companies House on its own. That happens separately, through your confirmation statement.

Key Takeaways

• The J30 records a share transfer and acts as the company's evidence that it took place, but it doesn't tell Companies House anything by itself.
• You notify Companies House of a share transfer through your confirmation statement, not the J30 form itself.
• Stamp duty of 0.5% applies if the shares are sold for more than £1,000, rounded up to the nearest £5.
• If the transfer is a gift or the consideration is £1,000 or less, no stamp duty is due, but you still need to complete the relevant certificate on the form.
• A share transfer that changes who holds more than 25% of a company can affect its PSC status, which may trigger identity verification requirements.

What Is a J30 Stock Transfer Form?

A J30 is the standard document used to formally transfer shares from one shareholder to another in a UK company. It records who's transferring the shares, who's receiving them, how many shares, and for what consideration, if any.

Once signed, it acts as your company's own evidence that the transfer took place, kept alongside your statutory records. It's not sent to Companies House at the time of the transfer. It's simply the paperwork that proves the transfer happened, which your company needs on file regardless of when Companies House is told.

Where Do I Get a J30 Stock Transfer Form?

If you have an account with us, you can download a J30 template directly from your dashboard. Log in, select "Statutory Forms," then "J30 – Stock Transfer Form," and save it to your computer.

You can also find a template directly through GOV.UK if you'd rather not create an account. Either way, the form itself is the same standard document, so use whichever source is easiest for you.

Do I Need to Pay Stamp Duty on a Share Transfer?

Yes, if the shares are sold for more than £1,000. Stamp duty is charged at 0.5% of the amount paid, rounded up to the nearest £5, and it's the buyer's responsibility to pay it, not the seller's.

If the consideration is £1,000 or less, or the shares are being gifted with no payment at all, no stamp duty is due. You'll still need to complete the relevant certificate on the form itself (Certificate 1 for consideration of £1,000 or less, Certificate 2 for gifts or non-cash consideration) to confirm why no duty applies.

Where stamp duty is due, the completed form needs to be sent to HMRC, now done by email rather than post, and paid within 30 days of the transfer being signed. An unstamped form where duty was actually owed can't be used as evidence in court, and Companies House won't register the transfer without it being correctly stamped.

It's also worth knowing this system is due to change. HMRC has proposed replacing stamp duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax with a single Securities Transfer Tax, still at 0.5%, processed through a new online portal rather than by post or email. This is expected to come into effect from 2027, and the current £1,000 exemption threshold may not carry over, so it's worth checking the current rules again if your transfer happens around that time.

How Do I Tell Companies House About a Share Transfer?

The only way to notify Companies House of a share transfer is through your confirmation statement. There's no separate form for this, and the J30 itself doesn't get sent to Companies House.

If your confirmation statement isn't due for a while and you'd rather have the new shareholding reflected sooner, you can file one early. As of February 2026, filing costs £50 for digital submission or £110 for paper. Our PSC and Confirmation Statement guide covers this filing, and what's changed with it recently, in full.

Does a Share Transfer Affect My Company's PSC Status?

It can. If a transfer means someone now holds more than 25% of your company's shares or voting rights, they may become a Person with Significant Control, which needs to be reflected on your PSC register and reported through your confirmation statement.

Since November 2025, PSCs must also verify their identity with Companies House, so a transfer that creates a new PSC can bring that requirement along with it. Our identity verification service can help if a share transfer has changed who holds significant control over your company.

FAQs

What is a J30 Stock Transfer Form used for?

It records a transfer of shares from one shareholder to another and acts as your company's evidence that the transfer took place.

Does the J30 form notify Companies House of a share transfer?

No. You notify Companies House through your confirmation statement, not the J30 form itself.

Do I have to pay stamp duty when transferring shares?

Only if the shares are sold for more than £1,000. It's charged at 0.5% of the amount paid, rounded up to the nearest £5, and paid by the buyer.

What if the shares are a gift, not a sale?

No stamp duty is due, but you still need to complete the relevant certificate on the form confirming no consideration was given.

Where can I get a J30 Stock Transfer Form?

Download it from your account dashboard with us, or use the standard template available on GOV.UK.

Can a share transfer change who's classed as a PSC in my company?

Yes, if it results in someone holding more than 25% of the shares or voting rights. This may trigger identity verification requirements for the new PSC.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Stamp duty rules and Companies House requirements can change, so it's worth checking current guidance on GOV.UK or speaking to a qualified professional before completing a share transfer.