Signature Certification — TreasuryDirect (2024)

Some forms require you to sign them in the presence of a person who certifies, or verifies, your signature. This page shows who can perform this role.

On this page:

In the United States
Outside the United States

In the United States

Who may certify signatures in the U.S.	Evidence of authority
In certain cases, a notary public (a form that allows this will say so)	We require the notary public’s seal or stamp.
Officers and employees of depository institutions, such as banks	We require the institution's seal or signature guarantee stamp. If the institution is an authorized paying agent for U.S. Savings Bonds, we require a legible imprint of the paying agent's stamp.
Institutions that are members of Treasury-recognized signature guarantee programs They may only certify security transfers.	We require the imprint of the signature guarantee stamp. That is, the STAMP (Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program), or SEMP (Stock Exchange Medallion Program), or MSP (New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program)
Officers and employees of corporate central credit unions, Federal Land Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Banks for Cooperatives, the Central Bank for Cooperatives, and Federal Home Loan Banks	We require the entity's seal.
Commissioned or warrant officers of the United States Armed Forces, for signatures of Armed Forces personnel, civilian field employees, and members of their families	We require a statement that the person signing the form is one whose signature the officer is authorized to certify under our regulations. The certifying official's rank must be shown.
A judge or clerk of a U.S. court	We require the seal of a U.S. court.
Other people whom the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of Fiscal Service designates as people who can certify signatures	Our procedures determine the required evidence for these people.

Outside the United States

Who may certify signatures outside the U.S.	Evidence of authority
United States diplomatic or consular officials	We require the office's seal or stamp. If there is no seal or stamp, we require some other authorized individual who has an appropriate seal or stamp to certify the signature.
Managers and officers of foreign branches of U.S. depository institutions, such as banks	We require the institution's seal or signature guarantee stamp.
Institutions that are members of Treasury-recognized signature guarantee programs.	We require the imprint of the signature guarantee stamp. That is, the STAMP (Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program), or SEMP (Stock Exchange Medallion Program), or MSP (New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program)
Notaries public and other officers authorized to administer oaths, as long as their authority is certified by a United States diplomatic or consular official	We require the office's seal or stamp. If there is no seal or stamp, the position must be certified by some other authorized individual under seal or stamp or otherwise proved to our satisfaction.

FAQs

Who can certify TreasuryDirect account authorization? ›

Sign in ink in the presence of a certifying officer or notary. Identification may be required. 2. Authorized certifying officers are available at financial institutions, including credit unions, in the United States.

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Will TreasuryDirect accept a notary? ›

Your signature on Page 2 must be certified by an authorized certifying official. Certification by a Notary public is NOT acceptable. Acceptable certifications include a financial Institution's Official Seal or Stamp (such as Corporate Seal, Signature Guaranteed Stamp, or Medallion Stamp).

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Why is it so hard to get a medallion signature guarantee? ›

Why is it so hard to get a medallion signature guarantee? Medallion stamps are difficult to obtain because the institutions that provide them, such as banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions are reluctant to provide them, as it exposes the institution to large financial liabilities.

Who can certify a signature on a savings bond? ›

Who may certify signatures in the U.S. We require the notary public's seal or stamp. We require the institution's seal or signature guarantee stamp. If the institution is an authorized paying agent for U.S. Savings Bonds, we require a legible imprint of the paying agent's stamp.

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How to certify a signature? ›

A certified document needs to be signed in front of a witness who affirms the signature is your true one; and in the case of a copied document, warrants that the copy is true and identical to the original one. The certifier declares this to be true and adds their signature and the date.

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Who can do a signature guarantee? ›

Certain formal documents require a Medallion signature guarantee (MSG), which authenticates your signature, and ensures you have the legal authority and capacity to sign. You can typically obtain an MSG from a bank officer, trust company, or member of the U.S. stock exchange. (A notary public cannot provide an MSG.)

What is the best alternative to a medallion signature guarantee? ›

While there is no direct alternative to a Medallion Signature Guarantee, some financial institutions may accept a notarized signature as an alternative for certain transactions. However, this varies depending on the institution and the type of transaction.