N-8A 1 hancock_n8a.txt SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-8A NOTIFICATION OF REGISTRATION FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a) OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 The undersigned investment company hereby notifies the Securities and Exchange Commission that it registers under and pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940; and in connection with such notification of registration submits the following information: Name: John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund Address of Principal Business Office: 601 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Telephone Number: (617) 663-2844 Name and address of agent for service of process: THOMAS M. KINZLER, ESQ. 601 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2805 Check Appropriate Box: Registrant is filing a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 concurrently with the filing of Form N-8A: YES [X] NO [ ] SIGNATURE --------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has caused this notification of registration to be duly signed on its behalf in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 23rd of April, 2007. JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED GLOBAL SHAREHOLDER YIELD FUND By: /s/ Keith F. Hartstein ------------------------------- Keith F. Hartstein President Attest: /s/ Thomas M. Kinzler ------------------------------ Thomas M. Kinzler Secretary