Dividend glossary term

Record date

The record date is the date a company uses to identify which shareholders are recorded as eligible for a declared dividend.

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Glossary editorial metadata

Author
DividendTen Editorial · Site editorial entity
Last reviewed
Jun 10, 2026
Last materially updated
Jun 10, 2026
Methodology
Methodology notes

DividendTen uses an editorial entity label when no named individual author or reviewer is published. This page is informational only and does not provide investment, tax, legal, or personalized financial advice.

Definition

What record date means

The record date is the date a company uses to identify which shareholders are recorded as eligible for a declared dividend.

Example

Hypothetical example: if the record date is 11 June, the company checks its register around that date to confirm eligible holders for the declared dividend.

Why it matters

Record date is often shown beside ex-dividend date and payment date. Confusing the three dates can lead to incorrect calendar interpretation.

Limitation or caveat

The record date is not the same as the payment date, and it should be read with the ex-dividend date and local settlement rules.

Related DividendTen pages

For more context, read Record date vs ex-dividend date and use Dividend calendar explained. You can also review the methodology and data verification policy.

Educational context only. This glossary entry is not investment, tax, legal, or personalized financial advice. Dividend terms help readers understand data fields, not decide whether any security is suitable.