Registered security

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A security in “registered” form, is one whose ownership is determined by entry in the official share register, rather than by mere possession the instrument (which is called a “bearer instrument”). A registered share certificate is only evidence of ownership, but it can be trumped by what it says on the actual register.

Shares and securities conferring beneficial ownership of their issuer tend to be registered, because you need to know who your owner is, right? Debt securities — whcih by their nature do not confer any ownership rights on the holder, but merely represent a debt claim against the issuer, are often in bearer form, especially outside the United States.

Contrast with Bearer security.

See also

• Bearer security
• Debt security
• Equity security