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Medallion signature guarantee
It confirms your identity, signature and legal authority to transfer securities and investments
Common reasons for needing a medallion signature guarantee
- Moving securities to a new account (for example transferring a 401(k) after switching jobs)
- Giving securities as a gift (such as transferring shares of stock to a child or donating them to a nonprofit)
- The owner of the securities has died and ownership needs to transfer to a court-appointed representative
We provide medallion services free of charge for Bank of America or Merrill clients who have been with us for at least 6 months (if you're a Merrill or Private Bank client, please contact your Advisor for assistance).
Not a Merrill customer? Learn about ways to invest with Merrill to have the freedom to invest on your own terms.
A medallion signature guarantee must be completed in person because it confirms your identity, signature and legal authority to transfer securities. In order to protect your assets, certain documentation is required to approve medallion requests.
We do not provide medallion signature guarantees for assets you're transferring out of a Bank of America or Merrill account (guarantees are typically provided by a third party not involved in the transfer or by the firm receiving the assets).
Please note: A medallion signature guarantee is not the same as a document notarization (which assures that a signature is genuine). Learn more about Bank of America notary servicesLearn more about Bank of America notary servicesLearn more about Bank of America notary services
Before you schedule your financial center appointment
Tell us why you need a medallion — and find out what documents to bring to your appointment:
- I'm transferring securities held in accounts outside Bank of America or Merrill with no changes in title or ownership I'm transferring securities held in accounts outside Bank of America or Merrill with no changes in title or ownership I'm transferring securities held in accounts outside Bank of America or Merrill with no changes in title or ownership
- I'm transferring securities or updating title as the result of the account owner's death I'm transferring securities or updating title as the result of the account owner's death I'm transferring securities or updating title as the result of the account owner's death
- I have a maintenance request for securities held in a non-Bank of America or Merrill account I have a maintenance request for securities held in a non-Bank of America or Merrill account I have a maintenance request for securities held in a non-Bank of America or Merrill account
- I'm transferring securities as a gift I'm transferring securities as a gift I'm transferring securities as a gift
- I'm transferring an IRA to a Bank of America account I'm transferring an IRA to a Bank of America account I'm transferring an IRA to a Bank of America account
- I'm rolling over a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan outside Bank of America or Merrill I'm rolling over a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan outside Bank of America or Merrill I'm rolling over a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan outside Bank of America or Merrill
- I'm making a withdrawal or distribution from non-Bank of America or Merrill account I'm making a withdrawal or distribution from non-Bank of America or Merrill account I'm making a withdrawal or distribution from non-Bank of America or Merrill account
- I'm making a transfer of securities to a trust where the original account owner(s) are grantor(s) and trustee(s) I'm making a transfer of securities to a trust where the original account owner(s) are grantor(s) and trustee(s) I'm making a transfer of securities to a trust where the original account owner(s) are grantor(s) and trustee(s)
- I'm making a deposit of stock certificates via a stock power form I'm making a deposit of stock certificates via a stock power form I'm making a deposit of stock certificates via a stock power form
- I'm updating security ownership from single to joint I'm updating security ownership from single to joint I'm updating security ownership from single to joint
- I have a situation not listed here I have a situation not listed here I have a situation not listed here
View additional reasons >>
Beneficiary confirmation or transfer of death acceptance letter
These documents are provided by the firm to which assets (not subject to probate) are to be transferred and disbursed to designated beneficiary or beneficiaries upon death of the account holder
To obtain this form, please consult your personal legal counsel.
Trustee certification form
This form is provided by Bank of America. It includes a summary of the trust and identifies the owner(s) of the assets listed.
Letters Testamentary or Small Estate Affidavit
Letters Testamentary are issued by the court/court clerk and appoint a personal representative. Letters must be received within 60 days of original issuance by the court (6 months in New York).
Small Estate Affidavits are used to obtain a decedent's assets without formal administration. Not all states offer Small Estate Affidavits and filing requirements may be different (contact your local courthouse for specific filing requirements).
To obtain either of these forms, please consult your personal legal counsel.
You're transferring securities held in accounts outside Bank of America or Merrill with no changes in title or ownership
- Document(s) requiring the stamp
- Government-issued photo IDs for all asset owners
- Statement for the account holding the securities (dated within one year)
- Statement for the account receiving the securities (dated within one year)
If your request is due to a divorce, you also need a divorce decree or court-approved domestic relations order (DRO) settlement agreement that lists account number or name of firm and account type along with securities to be transferred.
Next step: Schedule an appointment with a financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.
You're transferring or changing title on securities due to the death of an owner
- Document(s) requiring the stamp
- Government-issued photo IDs for all asset owners
- Statement for the account holding the securities (dated within one year)
- Statement for the account receiving the securities (dated within one year)
- Copy of death certificate and court documents appointing person representative / administrator / executor
- Depending on the request, either letters testamentary (dated within 60 days; within 6 months if in New York) or small estate affidavit layer
For trusts: Notarized Bank of America trustee certification form layer
- For ownership changes: Beneficiary confirmation or transfer of death confirmation (dated within 6 months) layer
Important: Your document will not be stamped based on a will alone; court appointment documents are required.
Next step: Schedule an appointment with a financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.
Learn about Bank of America estate servicesLearn about Bank of America estate servicesLearn about Bank of America estate services
You have an account maintenance request (for example: a name or address change or a beneficiary update)
- Document(s) requiring the stamp
- Government-issued photo IDs for all asset owners
- Statement for the account holding the securities (dated within one year)
If your request is due to a divorce, you also need a divorce decree or court-approved domestic relations order (DRO) settlement agreement that lists account number or name of firm and account type along with securities to be transferred.
Next step: Schedule an appointment with a financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.
Learn about making changes to your accountLearn about making changes to your accountLearn about making changes to your account
Learn about Bank of America estate servicesLearn about Bank of America estate servicesLearn about Bank of America estate services
You're transferring assets as a gift (for example: giving shares of stock to a child or a charity)
- Document(s) requiring the stamp
- Government-issued photo IDs for all asset owners
- Statement for the account holding the securities (dated within one year)
If your request is due to a divorce, you also need a divorce decree or court-approved domestic relations order (DRO) settlement agreement that lists account number or name of firm and account type along with securities to be transferred.
Next step: Schedule an appointment with a financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.
You're transferring an IRA over to a Bank of America or Merrill account
- Document(s) requiring the stamp
- Government-issued photo IDs for all asset owners
- Statement for the account holding the securities (dated within one year)
- Trust or trustee form layer
If your request is due to a divorce, you also need a divorce decree or court-approved domestic relations order (DRO) settlement agreement that lists account number or name of firm and account type along with securities to be transferred.
Next step: Schedule an appointment with a financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.
You're making a rollover of a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan held outside of Bank of America or Merrill
- Document(s) requiring the stamp
- Government-issued photo IDs for all asset owners
- Statement for the account holding the securities (dated within one year)
- Statement for the account receiving the securities (dated within one year)
If your request is due to a divorce, you also need a divorce decree or court-approved domestic relations order (DRO) settlement agreement that lists account number or name of firm and account type along with securities to be transferred.
Next step: Schedule an appointment with a financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.
You're making a withdrawal or distribution from an account outside Bank of America or Merrill
- Document(s) requiring the stamp
- Government-issued photo IDs for all asset owners
- Statement for the account holding the securities (dated within one year)
If your request is due to a divorce, you also need a divorce decree or court-approved domestic relations order (DRO) settlement agreement that lists account number or name of firm and account type along with securities to be transferred.
Next step: Schedule an appointment with a financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.
You're transferring assets to a trust where the original account owner(s) are grantor(s) and trustee(s)
- Document(s) requiring the stamp
- Government-issued photo IDs for all asset owners
- Statement for the account holding the securities (dated within one year)
- Statement for the account receiving the securities (dated within one year)
- A notarized Bank of America trustee certification form (during your appointment, an associate will provide this form and assist you in its completion)
If your request is due to a divorce, you also need a divorce decree or court-approved domestic relations order (DRO) settlement agreement that lists account number or name of firm and account type along with securities to be transferred.
Next step: Schedule an appointment with a financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.
Learn about power of attorney servicesLearn about power of attorney servicesLearn about power of attorney services
You're making a deposit of physical securities via stock power form
- Document(s) requiring the stamp
- Government-issued photo IDs for all asset owners
- Statement for the account receiving the securities (dated within one year)
If your request is due to a divorce, you also need a divorce decree or court-approved domestic relations order (DRO) settlement agreement that lists account number or name of firm and account type along with securities to be transferred.
Important: We do not stamp stock certificates, however we do provide a stamp on a stock power form so you may deposit these securities
Next step: Schedule an appointment with a financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.
You're updating securities ownership from single to joint (for example: adding a spouse to an account)
- Document(s) requiring the stamp
- Government-issued photo IDs for all asset owners
- Statement for the account holding the securities (dated within one year)
- Statement for the account receiving the securities (dated within one year; only required if changing accounts)
Next step: Schedule an appointment with a financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.
Learn about making changes to your accountLearn about making changes to your accountLearn about making changes to your account
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Please schedule an appointment to discuss your specific situation
Important: We do not provide medallion signature guarantees for assets you're transferring out of a Bank of America or Merrill account (guarantees are typically provided by a third party not involved in the transfer or by the firm receiving the assets).
Need to make changes to an account?
Most account changes require that you schedule an appointment to meet with an associate in one of our financial centers.
See what's needed to make account changesSee what's needed to make account changesSee what's needed to make account changes
Handling finances for someone who recently died?
Losing someone can be stressful. Navigating their financial affairs doesn't have to be. We're here to help.
Learn about Bank of America estate servicesLearn about Bank of America estate servicesLearn about Bank of America estate services
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