DISCLAIMER: As of 12th June 2023 Commsec have ended offering DRS transfers, or any non-ACAT transfers. If you still wish to DRS your shares, then you can transfer to and use these alternatives: IG Australia (free to DRS transfer), Nabtrade (free to DRS transfer), Westpac ($10 to DRS transfer), or IBKR ($5 to DRS transfer).
This guide will be updated with instructions on how to transfer to IBKR and/or another Asutralian broker.
Once your shares are settled in CommSec:
You need to fill in the form “Non-ACAT Transfer Out Of Commsec – Transfer To Book” (download here).
Print out the form and fill it in as follows:
For “Reason For Transfer” you can put anything you like. Here are a couple of examples:
“I want to direct register my GME shares with Computershare”.
“I want to move my GME shares to the DRS, and put them in my name only”.
Under “Pershing Account Name” provide your full name.
Under “Pershing Account Number” provide your Pershing account number, which is different from your Commsec Client ID (starts with "0FC" or "0MC").
Under “Security Details” you need to provide the company name (GameStop), how many shares you want to transfer, and its CUSIP (36467W109).
Under “Name On Account” You need to provide your full name as it shows on your CommSec account.
Under “Contact Number” provide your mobile, or home telephone number.
Under “Registered Address” provide your home address that is linked to your CommSec account, (Computershare will send letters to this address as well).
Under the “Acknowledgement” section you need to provide your full name, today's date and your signature. The extra rows are for anyone else who's name is on the CommSec account as well. If it's an individual account, you only need to provide your details.
Once the form is filled in you can scan it in and email it to: CommsecInternationalSettlements@cba.com.au & commsecinternationaldesk@cba.com.au
With the subject line: "Outbound DRS Transfer - Pershing [YOURACCOUNTNUMBER]".
The transfer will take 5-10 business days to process.
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 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.
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".
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.