Medallion Signature Guarantee

A medallion signature guarantee is a special stamp from a participating financial institution that certifies your signature on securities-transfer paperwork is genuine and that you have the legal authority to move the assets. Unlike a notary seal, the stamping institution accepts financial liability if the signature turns out to be forged — which is exactly why custodians trust it.

You will run into the requirement during some rollovers and account transfers: custodians commonly demand a medallion guarantee for larger balances, when the account registration is changing (a name change, a recently updated address), for beneficiary and death claims, or when assets move between unaffiliated institutions. Many rollovers complete without one — but when a custodian asks for it, nothing moves until the form is stamped.

The cheapest place to get one is an institution where you already have an account. Most banks and credit unions provide the stamp free to established customers. Call the branch first: not every branch keeps a medallion stamp, and many require an appointment. Institutions rarely stamp for non-customers, because the guarantee puts their own assets on the line; standalone medallion services exist but charge more.

Bring a government-issued photo ID, the unsigned transfer paperwork (you sign in front of the bank officer), and a recent account statement showing the assets you are moving. Each stamp carries a coverage limit tied to the transaction value, so mention the dollar amount when you book the appointment — a small branch may not be authorized to stamp a very large transfer.

A medallion guarantee is not a notarization, and custodians will reject a notary seal where a medallion is required. Three programs issue the stamps — STAMP (the largest, with roughly 7,000 member institutions), SEMP, and MSP — and custodians accept any of the three. You do not need to care which program your bank belongs to; you just need the stamp.