William Lipovsky
To get a medallion signature guarantee, you’ll usually have to visit a bank, credit union, or brokerage firm with documentation proving your ownership of the securities you want to transfer.
Bank of America, Chase Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, Edward Jones, and Morgan Stanley are some of the financial institutions that offer medallion signatures — though only for accountholders.
Additionally, eSignature Guarantee provides a remote option for those who cannot visit a branch or are not a member at a guaranteeing institution.
Below, we explain what exactly a medallion signature guarantee is and provide the list of banks, credit unions, and brokerages that do and don’t offer medallion signature guarantees.
What Is a Medallion Signature Guarantee?
A medallion signature guarantee is most commonly used when you own a physical security, such as a stock or bond, and want to sell or make a transfer without a broker.
Transfer agents commonly require that your signature be “guaranteed” before you can complete any transactions. This helps prevent individuals from fraudulently posing as you and forging your signature to sell the stock.
A signature guarantee is also a way for transfer agents to reduce their liability since an outside agency takes responsibility for verifying your identity. So it’s just a matter of proving you are who you say you are.
There are three different medallion signature guarantee programs, all of which are equally valid. Different types are simply used by different organizations, as outlined below:
- Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP): Used by the United States and Canadian financial institutions, STAMP is open to all signature guarantors.
- Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP): Used by regional stock exchange member firms and trust companies, SEMP is open to all members of the American Stock Exchange, New York Exchange, Boston Stock Exchange, Midwest Stock Exchange, Pacific Stock Exchange, and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, as well as clearing and trust companies.
- New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program (MSP): Used only by firms that are members of the New York Stock Exchange, MSP is only used for applicable transfers and sales.
What Documentation Is Required?
To get a medallion signature guarantee, you’ll generally be required to visit the guarantor in person and present:
- Documentation showing the exact and complete ownership of the security
- Documentation showing the value of the transaction
- Documentation showing your legal authority (if you are signing on behalf of another individual)
- Photo identification
- Proof of name change as a result of marriage, divorce, or legal name change (if applicable)
Requirements may vary slightly, so it’s always a good idea to check document requirements with your specific provider before leaving home.
For those who are unable to visit a bank, credit union, or brokerage firm in person — such as those who are overseas or homebound — it’ll be more difficult to get a medallion signature guarantee.
However, for a fee, you can get a medallion signature online through eSignature Guarantee. You’ll still need to provide documentation proving your identity and ownership of the security. We detail this option in our list below.
If overseas, you can try contacting the U.S. Embassy for assistance. You may also want to try contacting the transfer agent or the company requiring the medallion signature guarantee to explain your situation and ask for assistance.
Locations that Offer Medallion Signature Guarantee Services
Banks and Credit Unions
Banks and credit unions generally don’t detail the process for obtaining medallion signature guarantee services on their websites, so we reached out to each of these financial institutions’ corporate offices to confirm the following information.
Many of these banks and credit unions only offer medallion signature guarantees at some of their branches. When this is indicated, it’s best to use the location finders we’ve included and contact your local branch to see if it provides medallion signature guarantees.
Bank of America
Bank of the West
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Either free or $10, depending on the branch
- Find your nearest Bank of the West branch
Capital One
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Capital One branch
Chase Bank
Citibank
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Citibank branch
Citizens Bank
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Citizens Bank branch
Digital Credit Union (New Hampshire and Massachusetts)
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Digital Credit Union branch
Dollar Bank (Pennsylvania and Ohio)
- Medallion signature policy: Available at all locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Dollar Bank branch
Fifth Third Bank
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Fifth Third Bank
First Interstate Bank
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Varies by location
- Find your nearest Great Western Bank branch
First Midwest Bank
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest First Midwest Bank branch
First Republic Bank
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders of over one year; securities being transferred must be $2 million or less
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest First Republic Bank
HSBC
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Varies; each branch manager has discretion when it comes to fees
- Find your nearest HSBC
KeyBank
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest KeyBank branch
Navy Federal Credit Union
- Medallion signature policy: Available at all locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Navy Federal Credit Union branch
Northeast Credit Union
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Northeast Credit Union
Northwest Bank
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: $10
- Find your nearest Northwest Bank
PNC Bank
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest PNC Bank branch
Regions
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Regions Bank
TD Bank
- Medallion Signature Policy: Available at most locations and only for account holders; TD Bank strongly recommends contacting your local branch before visiting to ensure the service is available and also to confirm necessary documentation and forms of identification.
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest TD Bank branch
Union Bank & Trust
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: $50
- Find your nearest Union Bank & Trust branch
U.S. Bank
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest U.S. Bank branch
Wells Fargo
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for Wells Fargo clients who have had an active Wells Fargo account (including mortgage accounts) for at least 60 days
- Cost: Varies by location
- Find your nearest Wells Fargo branch
Brokerage Firms
Medallion guarantee stamp locations are fairly common at brokerage firms but only for account holders.
Brokerage firms generally don’t detail the process for obtaining medallion signature guarantee services on their websites. Thus, we reached out to each of their corporate offices to bring you the following information.
If you have a good relationship with your brokerage firm, you can request for your stocks to be held in “street name.” This means the stocks are recorded as being held by your brokerage firm instead of you personally.
When it comes time to sell the stocks, no signature guarantee will be necessary since the seller of records is the brokerage firm.
Ameriprise Financial
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders. You must initiate paperwork through your local office, which will then be processed through Ameriprise Financial’s central office.
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Ameriprise Financial branch
Charles Schwab
- Medallion signature policy: Available only at the company’s operation centers in Phoenix and Orlando and only for account holders. Both the operation center in Phoenix and the operation center in Orlando will receive documents via regular mail and overnight mail. Contact your local branch for more information regarding specific documents required to be submitted to the Operations Center for verification.
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Charles Schwab branch
Edward Jones
- Medallion signature policy: Available at all locations and only for account holders. You must initiate paperwork through your local office, which will then be processed through Edward Jones’ central office.
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Edward Jones branch
Fidelity Investments
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Fidelity Investments branch
Merrill Lynch
- Medallion signature policy: Available at all Wealth Management Services locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Merril Lynch branch
Morgan Stanley
- Medallion signature policy: Available at most locations. Smaller locations may not be able to provide services on-site but can forward the paperwork to a larger location. The service is only available to account holders. Morgan Stanley will provide medallion signature guarantees only if funds are coming into a Morgan Stanley account, not if funds are leaving a Morgan Stanley account.
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Morgan Stanley branch
Raymond James
- Medallion signature policy: Available at some locations and only for account holders
- Cost: Free or varies by institution
- Find your nearest Raymond James branch
Wells Fargo Financial Advisors
- Medallion Signature Policy: Available through any Wells Fargo Financial Advisor and only for account holders
- Cost: Free
- Find your nearest Wells Fargo Financial Advisors branch
Online Signatures
We were unable to find any financial institutions that will grant a medallion signature guarantee to anyone unless they’re an account holder with that bank, credit union, or brokerage firm.
We did, however, find one company that offers a medallion signature guarantee online and doesn’t require membership with a particular financial institution.
eSignature Guarantee
- Medallion Signature Policy: Verify your identity online, make your payment, upload or mail in your documents, and receive your medallion signature guarantee
- Cost: $149 per medallion stamp, plus shipping if you choose to mail in your supporting documents rather than use digital delivery
- Find out more by visiting the eSignature Guarantee website
Locations that Don’t Provide Medallion Signature Guarantee Services
During our research, we found that the following financial institutions do not offer medallion signature guarantees.
Banks and Credit Unions
- San Diego County Credit Union
Brokerage Firms
- E-Trade
- Scottrade
- TD Ameritrade
I am living in South Africa and need to change my surname, what a mission. I have even been in the USA and no one can assist, what do I do? Why does it have to be so complicated?
Hi Rene,
I’m afraid we are unable to answer your question as it is outside of the scope of our expertise. I suggest you visit Department of Home Affairs for further help in this matter.
I am another one having trouble obtaining a Medallion Guarantee Stamp. My husband passed away, and I am trying to get the stock transferred to my name as my bank will no longer cash the dividend checks that are made payable to my deceased husband. I went to my bank, however they no longer participate in the Medallion program and could not recommend anywhere in my area to obtain one. Its a very small amount of money, but I am entitled to it, and I don’t wish to spend a fortune to get what is mine. Is there anywhere in the Sheridan, Illinois area that offers the service to non-account holders? I can’t believe it is this difficult – I’m beginning to think that Computershare is asking for something that doesn’t exist in the real world! Help! Thank you.
Hi Paula,
Unfortunately, it is quite rare for institutions to grant a medallion signature guarantee unless you’re a client with that bank/firm. Certain branches of KeyBank and Citibank have been known to provide this service to non-account holders for a fee. If you have branches of any of these institutions in your area, it may be worth giving the location a call to see if they would be able to help.
If these banks do not offer the service at the branches near you, there’s very little to be done, as it’s often up to individual branches to set their policies in this regard. You may be able to ask a representative at a nearby branch of one of these banks if they can suggest another branch or a different institution in your area that may be able to provide a medallion signature guarantee.
Large Wells Fargo branch in downtown San Diego told me, August 1, today that WF does not to signature guarantees anywhere now. Even with private banking and trust accounts.
Hi Marilyn,
There seems to be quite a bit of confusion regarding the availability of the Medallion Signature Guarantee through Wells Fargo, even within the company. I spoke to a customer service representative who told me that this service is still offered at some branches, although they seem to be few and far between. Go here for more information on Wells Fargo Medallion Signature Guarantee service.
All I want to do is add a beneficiary to a Demand Note checking acct. From the Change Form that I rec’d., it says I need a Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp to add a “Non-Primary Owner”. I’m thinking seriously of opting out of this particular checking acct. My sister & I live 4.5 hrs. away from one another. I attempted to get that stamp last week & was told I had to go to a certain bank & an investment banker would only do it if I had an acct. with them which i didn’t. Really!!!!
Hi Susan,
For many people, the process of getting a Medallion Signature Guarantee stamp isn’t worth the hassle because most of the time, you must have an account at the banks that offer these stamps. You may have better luck going with a different checking account.
I’d like to obtain Medallion Signature Guarantees. Can you give me the information how and where I can do this? I’m Polish and I live in Poland.
I’m a beneficiary of my uncle, deceased who held a custodial account for me with MFS. I sent request to MFS to redeem shares from that account but they requested from me Medallion Signature Guarantees.
Can you help me with this?
I asked at a few Polish banks about this but they even didn’t hear about Medallion Signature Guarantees.
Regards
Hi Chris,
A Medallion Signature Guarantee is not available domestically. However, you may obtain a Consular’s seal from a U.S. embassy, which will be accepted in lieu of a Medallion Signature Guarantee. Good luck!
I need a signature guarantee to switch my invesco account to my name. My aunt is titled as custodian, since she opened it up back when I was a child. Now that I am of age, I want to take her off and make myself primary. But I am having no luck finding an institute that does for non- account holders.. Please help, Need one for Houston, Texas
Hi Andrea,
I wish I could deliver better news, but banks and credit unions will only provide this service to account holders. However, with many banks, you can open an account with a small balance so you can then have access to this service. Use this search tool to find a broker, bank, credit union, etc. that offers this service.
I have a friend who have a Variable Life Insurance policy inside a Keogh plan with Axa Equitable with some money that she want to transfer to a Life Index Annuity. Axa is asking for a medallion guarantee signature. But it is hard to get that. We are in Puerto Rico. How can we obtain one? Thanks
Hi Carlos,
Your friend’s first stop should be to her financial institution. Many banks offer this service, but you must be an account holder there. Some banks, including Citibank and KeyBank, have been known to offer this service to non-account holders, for a fee, but it depends on the bank’s branch, so she’ll want to check with other local banks if her bank does not offer medallion signature guarantees. Best of luck!
Quick update on IWC: very helpful, very quick response and very efficient service so far.
I have entered into an agreement with them and will report back as and when.
Thanks again Cecilia!
I am very happy to hear that Bob!
My grandma was exactly in the same situation you described and we know how stressful it could be. Greetings and best of luck with the following steps!
I have a similar problem that involves Comptershare – who are indeed incredibly unhelpful. I’ve been trying for over four years to resolve this.
I have a bunch of shares received as Employee Stock purchase plans, and these are ‘managed’ by Computershare. I have recently retired, and would like to sell/transfer these shares.
My problem would appear to be that I am not a US resident and therefore do not hold any US bank accounts; I am resident in Europe, I hold UK and Swiss bank accounts, and none of my banks have thus far been able to find a resolution, despite all three of them having a US presence at a corporate level.
I was advised to contact a US bank locally for assistance; they listened to my request, informed me that they did not deal with private clients, but would make enquiries and call me back. That was over two years ago, and I never received a call back.
To echo a previous post:
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brenda on 04/02/2017 at 8:27 am
I am going thru the same thing with computershare. It should not be this difficult to get some that legally belong to you.
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So what do I do now? Move to the US, find a bank that will issue MSG, sell the shares and then come home?
If anyone non-US has found an answer, then I would be grateful to hear how this was achieved.
Thanks!
Hi Bob,
the IWC Probate Services, as recommended by Computershare, offer this as a worldwide postal service. I am also a non US citizen/resident (I am from Argentina) and I have contacted them through the following e-mail address: enquiries@iwc-ltd.co.uk
Their website is ww.iwc-ltd.co.uk
Hope this helps!
Cecilia, this could maybe be a very good pointer!
I’m not against paying transaction fees (how dare I?) but have so far just run up against brick walls.
I’ve had a very quick look at the website you mentioned; despite the blah.co.uk suffix, they are definitely not a UK outfit. This is probably not going to be a problem, business is business, after all.
I will contact them via email and report back here.
Thank you for the information.
My mistake, I was crossing websites…
These people ARE indeed UK based.
Sorry for the mis-information.
I am running into the same problem finding this stamp. When I googled it a couple websites came up, esignatureguarantee.com, for example,that offer to do this online for a fee? I was wondering if this is too good to be true? Is this trustworthy?
Hi Cher,
While this brokerage service appears legitimate, it is always in your best interest to check this company out before using their services. I recommend checking with the SEC to ensure the broker you use is part of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program.
i am absolutely furious that a legally required process can not be obtained easily! and everywhere! i dont mind paying a fee and its unconscionable that this shenanigan is in place and so vilely impacting peoples’ lives. my bank will not execute a medallion signature as a power of attorney is involved and one can see from the list of participating banks that one has to leave town to find an institution that MIGHT provide the needed document…………angry beyond words!
I was at Bank of America the other day and they told me they now do medallion signatures through Merrill Edge (Lynch) at the branch I was at 🙂