What Is a DRF Form?
A DRF form (Dematerialisation Request Form), also known as the Demat Request Form, is an official document that you fill out and submit to your Depository Participant (DP/broker) when you want to convert physical share certificates into electronic (dematerialised) form.
The DRF serves as your formal request to the depository system to convert your physical shares into electronic credits in your demat account. Without a properly filled DRF, the conversion cannot proceed.
The DRF form is used for:
- Converting physical equity shares to demat
- Converting physical mutual fund certificates to demat
- Converting physical debenture/bond certificates to demat
- Converting government securities in physical form to demat
Where to Get the DRF Form
You can obtain the DRF form from several sources:
- Your broker's website: Most brokers have downloadable DRF forms. Search for "DRF form" on your broker's support page
- Broker's branch office: Visit your broker's nearest branch and ask for the DRF form
- CDSL website: For CDSL-linked demat accounts, the generic DRF form CDSL is available at cdslindia.com
- NSDL website: For NSDL-linked demat accounts, download from nsdl.co.in
- Your DP directly: Contact your Depository Participant's office
How to Fill the DRF Form — Step by Step
Follow these steps carefully to fill your DRF form correctly. Incorrect information is the most common cause of demat request rejection.
Fill in Your DP and Client Details
Enter your DP ID (Depository Participant ID) and Client ID (your demat account number). Together, these form your unique demat account identifier. For CDSL accounts, this is a 16-digit number. For NSDL accounts, it is "IN" followed by 14 digits. You can find these on your demat account statement or Client Master List (CML).
Enter Company and ISIN Details
Fill in the company name whose shares you are converting and the ISIN (International Securities Identification Number). The ISIN is a 12-character alphanumeric code (e.g., INE009A01021 for Infosys). You can find the ISIN on BSE/NSE websites by searching the company name, or ask your broker.
Enter Folio Number
Write your folio number as it appears on the physical share certificate. This is the unique identifier the RTA uses to locate your shareholding. Learn more about folio numbers →
Fill Certificate and Share Details
For each share certificate, enter: Certificate Number (printed on the certificate), Distinctive Number range (From and To, printed on the certificate), and Number of Shares in that certificate. If you have multiple certificates for the same company, list each one separately in the form.
Enter Total Quantity
Write the total number of shares across all certificates being submitted for dematerialisation. Double-check that this total matches the sum of individual certificate quantities.
Sign the Form
Sign the DRF form. Your signature must match the signature on your demat account opening form and the signature specimen with your DP. If the share certificate has joint holders, all holders must sign the DRF.
Attach Original Share Certificates
Attach the original physical share certificates mentioned in the DRF. Write "SURRENDERED FOR DEMATERIALISATION" on the face of each certificate. Keep photocopies for your records before submitting. Never send original certificates without keeping copies.
Submit to Your DP/Broker
Submit the filled DRF form along with original share certificates to your Depository Participant. You can submit at the broker's branch office or send via registered post/courier to their processing centre (address varies by broker).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Based on our experience handling thousands of demat requests, here are the most common mistakes that cause DRF rejections:
Name Mismatch
The name on the share certificate must exactly match the name on your demat account. Even minor differences (e.g., "Rajesh" vs "Rajesh Kumar") can cause rejection. Get names corrected before submitting DRF.
Wrong ISIN
Using an incorrect ISIN code is a common error. Companies that have undergone name changes, mergers, or splits may have different ISINs. Always verify the current ISIN from BSE/NSE.
Signature Mismatch
Your DRF signature must match the signature on file with your DP. If your signature has changed over the years, update it with your broker before submitting the DRF.
Incorrect Distinctive Numbers
Copying distinctive number ranges incorrectly from the certificate. Carefully copy the "From" and "To" numbers exactly as printed. One wrong digit causes rejection.
Joint Holder Order
If shares are held jointly, the order of holders on the DRF must match the order on the share certificate AND the demat account. First, second, and third holder order is critical.
Damaged Certificates
Certificates that are torn, defaced, or have missing portions may be rejected. If your certificates are damaged, you may need to get duplicate certificates issued first.
Broker-Specific DRF Instructions
Zerodha DRF Form
The Zerodha DRF form can be downloaded from support.zerodha.com by searching "dematerialisation." Key details for Zerodha:
- DP ID: 12081600 (for all Zerodha accounts, as they use CDSL)
- Client ID: Your Zerodha demat account number (found in Console under Profile)
- Submission: Courier the filled DRF + original certificates to Zerodha's head office in Bangalore
- Charges: Rs. 150 per DRF request + Rs. 50 courier charges (approximate)
- Processing time: 15-30 working days after Zerodha receives the documents
- Tracking: Track status through Console → Portfolio → Dematerialisation
HDFC Securities DRF Form
For the HDFC DRF form:
- Depository: NSDL (HDFC Securities uses NSDL)
- DP ID: Starts with "IN" — check your HDFC demat statement
- Submission: Submit at any HDFC Securities branch or courier to their processing centre
- Charges: Rs. 35 per certificate + service tax (approximate)
- Support: Contact HDFC Securities customer care for the latest form and instructions
Groww DRF Form
For the Groww DRF form:
- Depository: CDSL (Groww uses CDSL)
- DP ID: Check your Groww app under Profile → Demat Account Details
- Download: Available in the Groww app or website under Help → Demat
- Submission: Courier the DRF + certificates to Groww's processing centre (address on form)
- Charges: Rs. 150 per DRF request (approximate)
- Note: Groww may require an online dematerialisation request to be raised first through the app before submitting physical documents
DRF Form CDSL (Generic)
If your broker uses CDSL, you can download the generic DRF form CDSL format from cdslindia.com. The generic form works with any CDSL-linked DP. Fill in your specific DP ID and Client ID as provided by your broker. Major brokers using CDSL include Zerodha, Groww, Angel One, and Upstox.
What Happens After You Submit the DRF
Once you submit the DRF form and original share certificates to your broker, here is the process flow:
- DP Verification (1-3 days): Your broker verifies the DRF form details, checks signatures, and creates a Demat Request Number (DRN)
- Forward to RTA (3-7 days): The DP sends the DRF and original certificates to the company's Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA)
- RTA Verification (7-21 days): The RTA verifies the share certificates against their records — checking folio number, certificate numbers, distinctive numbers, signatures, and shareholder name
- Confirmation or Rejection: If everything matches, the RTA sends an electronic confirmation to the depository. If there are discrepancies, the request is rejected with reasons
- Credit to Demat Account (1-2 days after RTA approval): The depository credits the shares to your demat account. You will receive a notification from your broker
DRF Rejection — What to Do
If your DRF request is rejected, do not panic. Common rejections and solutions:
| Rejection Reason | Solution |
|---|---|
| Name mismatch | Get name corrected with the company/RTA through name correction process, then resubmit DRF |
| Signature not matching | Submit a signature attestation form to the RTA with banker's attestation |
| Folio not found | Contact RTA to verify folio status; the company may have merged or changed RTA |
| Shares under stop transfer | Resolve the stop transfer issue with the company first, then resubmit |
| Company merged/name changed | Get the updated ISIN for the successor company and resubmit with correct details |
| Defaced certificate | Apply for duplicate share certificates from the company/RTA first |
Documents to Keep Ready Before Filling the DRF
Before sitting down to fill the DRF form, gather these documents:
- Original share certificates — the physical certificates you want to convert
- Demat account details — DP ID, Client ID (from your CML or broker app)
- ISIN number — for each company whose shares you are converting (check BSE/NSE)
- PAN card — your PAN should be linked to your demat account
- Cancelled cheque — some brokers may require this
- Self-attested ID proof — as per broker's requirements