Shareowner FAQs

Qwest Common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol "Q".  Its CUSIP number is 74912110.

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services (formerly The Bank of New York) serves as Qwest's stock transfer agent.

Yes, Qwest started paying quarterly dividends in 2008. Click here to view the company's complete dividend history.

With the institution of a quarterly dividend, our transfer agent now offers both direct deposit of dividends and dividend reinvestment.  Additional information can be found our our Shareowner Self-service Tools page.

The dividend checks do not have an expiration date on them.  However, a check that is outstanding 90 days or more may be automatically cancelled and replaced if a later dated check is tendered.

We recommend checking the validity of checks older than 90 days before depositing in your bank account to prevent returned check fees from your banking institution.  You can check the validity of your checks through the online self-service tool at www.bnymellon.com/shareonwer/isd; by calling BNY Mellon Shareowner Services at 1-877-268-2263, voice command "Customer Service" or by calling Shareowner Relations at 800-567-7296.

Yes, Direct Deposit offers you the convenience of having your dividends directly deposited into you bank account through electronic funds transfer on the dividend payment date.  There is no charge for this service.

Direct Deposit Enrollment can be done through the online self-service tool at www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd or by sending a completed enrollment form to BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.

Direct Deposit Enrollment Form PDF

Yes, a dividend reinvestment plan is offered through BNY Mellon's BuyDIRECT plan.  Enrollment can be done through the online self-service tool at www.bnymellon.com/shareonwer/isd or by sending a completed enrollment form to BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.  Please review the plan materials as service fees apply.

Dividend Reinvestment Enrollment Form Download
BuyDIRECT Plan Materials View

Qwest Communications Common Stock can be purchased through our transfer agent's BuyDIRECT_SM Plan or through a Broker of your choice. Please note that Qwest does not directly execute stock transactions for our shareowners.  Transactions must be executed through the record keeper of the shares.  The record keeper is the transfer agent, the broker or the employee plan administrator where the shares are held.

Note: BuyDIRECT is a service mark of The Bank of New York, which is a plan sponsored and administered by BNY Mellon Shareowner Services not Qwest.  For the plan prospectus and enrollment form please visit www.bnymellon.com/shareowner or call 1-877-268-2263.

Qwest stock can be sold through our transfer agent’s BuyDIRECT plan using the online self-service tool at www.bnymellon.com/shareonwer/isd; by calling BNY Mellon Shareowner Services at 1-877-268-2263, voice command "Sell Shares" or " Customer Service."

Transaction fees apply.

If you hold your shares in Direct Registration form you will need to provide your broker with a current statement of holdings. Please contact our transfer agent to request a DRS Advice or account statement.  You may also access your account information through the Bank’s website: www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd. Your broker will be able to request an electronic transfer of your holdings through their back office.

If you hold your shares in certificate form just take your certificates to your broker. If you do not have your certificates, please notify our transfer agent in writing and request forms to have your certificate(s) replaced.  See “What if I lost my stock certificate?” below.

Direct Registration is a certificate-less form of stock ownership. Instead of getting a paper stock certificate, your shares are held in your name and kept electronically on our records (through our transfer agent).

The benefits of Direct Registration are:

• You do not have to worry about keeping track of your physical stock certificates;
• You avoid the cost and inconvenience of replacing your stock certificates if they are lost, stolen or destroyed;
• Your shares are automatically updated or credited in the event of a corporate action, such as an ownership transfer or stock split.

Qwest does not issued annual statements.  However, you can print obtain a statement of your account online at BNY Mellon Shareowner Services website: www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd; request a statement by mail through the automated phone system or from a customer service representative at 1-877-268-2263.  Use voice command "Order a Statement" or "Customer Service."

You must exchange your U S West stock certificates for Qwest shares before you can receive any past dividend payments, annual meeting materials and other stockholder information.

You must also exchange your certificates prior to selling your stock. Please call our transfer agent at 1-877-268-2263 for exchange instructions.

U S West Media Group became MediaOne prior to the Qwest / US West merger.  Therefore these shares never transferred to Qwest.

To exchange your U S West Media Group shares, you need to contact Comcast’s transfer agent, Computershare, at 888-883-8903 as they are now the record holders for these shares.

If you lost your stock certificate, you must notify our transfer agent immediately in writing  that your shares are lost and ask for the instructions to replace the lost shares.  Please include the name of the security, the name of the registered owenr(s), the number of shares and the certificate number(s), if available.  The letter needs to be signed by all current owners or legal representative.  If the registered owner is deceased, please state so in your correspondence so that BNY Mellon can provide you with the necessary legal requirements.

A “stop” will be placed on the lost certificate to prevent any unauthorized transactions. A fee of approximately 2% of the market value of the lost securities will be charged by the a surety company to replace the securities.

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
Lost Securities Dept.
P.O Box 358015
Pittsburgh, PA 15252

Changes to registration are handled through our stock transfer agent.  You may be able to transfer your shares online. To view the requirements, instructions and download the form if necessary go to www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd.

If your transfer type is not listed you can also call our transfer agent at 877-268-2263 to have the transfer instructions and form sent to you.  Voice Command "Change Owner or Registration Information" or "Customer Service."

Your cost basis generally is the original cost of the shares you purchased plus any brokerage commission.  The difference between the amount you realize for the sale of your shares and your cost basis determines the amount of the gain or loss you must report on Schedule D of your income tax return.

Before you can work the appropriate Cost Basis worksheet, you will need to find the date your shares were purchased and the cost from your brokerage statements or receipts.  (If your shares were acquired by some means other than purchase, such as a gift or inheritence, please consult your tax advisor.  Qwest does not provide tax, legal or other advice.)

Download Cost Basis Worksheet

To find the stock price on a specific date from Qwest’s first day of trading, June 24, 1997—use the Historical Stock Lookup: Qwest tool.

To find the stock price on a specific date from U. S. West’s first day of trading January 3, 1984 through June 30, 2000 —use the Historical Stock Lookup: U S West tool.

Information about the Qwest-U S West merger, as well as other historical corporate actions, can be found under Stock History and also in our Cost Basis Workbook.