Medallion Signature Guarantee

Bank of America provides medallion services free of charge for Bank of America Private Bank, or Merrill Investment 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.

Bank of America does 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 ownershipI'm transferring securities held in accounts outside Bank of America or Merrill with no changes in title or ownershipI'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 deathI'm transferring securities or updating title as the result of the account owner's deathI'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 accountI have a maintenance request for securities held in a non-Bank of America or Merrill accountI have a maintenance request for securities held in a non-Bank of America or Merrill account
• I'm transferring securities as a giftI'm transferring securities as a giftI'm transferring securities as a gift
• I'm transferring an IRA to a Bank of America accountI'm transferring an IRA to a Bank of America accountI'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 MerrillI'm rolling over a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan outside Bank of America or MerrillI'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 accountI'm making a withdrawal or distribution from non-Bank of America or Merrill accountI'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 formI'm making a deposit of stock certificates via a stock power formI'm making a deposit of stock certificates via a stock power form
• I'm updating security ownership from single to jointI'm updating security ownership from single to jointI'm updating security ownership from single to joint
• I have a situation not listed hereI have a situation not listed hereI have a situation not listed here

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 Bank of America 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 Bank of America financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.

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 Bank of America financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.

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 Bank of America 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 Bank of America 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 Bank of America 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 Bank of America 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 Bank of America financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.

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: Bank of America does 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 Bank of America 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 Bank of America financial center associate to start your request. Please bring all necessary documents to your appointment.

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Please schedule an appointment to discuss your specific situation

Important: Bank of America does 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).

What is a medallion signature guarantee?

A medallion signature guarantee is a special stamp that’s used when you transfer securities. It confirms that the signature authorizing the transfer is genuine and that the signer has the legal capacity and authority to sign the document.

Can I get a medallion signature guarantee from Bank of America?

Yes. Medallion Services for account maintenance, or the transfer of securities held in accounts outside of Bank of America or Merrill, are available. Please note: Each signer must be a Bank of America or Merrill client for at least 6 months.

If you are a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management or Bank of America Private Bank client, please contact your Advisor for assistance.

What types of documents do I need to provide to get a medallion signature guarantee?

All medallion requests require you to provide a valid government-issued photo ID, the document or documents being stamped and supporting documents (which vary depending on the request type). For complete details, please select your specific needselect your specific needselect your specific need for a medallion to see a complete list of documents you’ll need.

What steps are involved in getting a medallion signature guarantee?

Step 1. Meet with a Bank of America financial center associate to discuss your needs and begin the request. Please bring all the supporting documentation with you. All clients requesting the service must be present to sign.

Step 2. Your request and a copy of your signed documents are submitted to a Bank of America medallion signature guarantee specialist (for your protection, a specialist handles all medallion signature guarantee requests for the transfer of securities from a non-Bank of America or Merrill account).

Step 3. The medallion signature guarantee specialist will review the request (in most cases, a review takes no longer than 2 business days after we receive all documents; complex cases may take up to 5 business days). The specialist will provide email status updates and let you know if any additional documents are needed. If additional documents are required, you can scan and email them to BankofAmericaMSGsupport@ML.comBankofAmericaMSGsupport@ML.comBankofAmericaMSGsupport@ML.com (please include your case number in the subject line) or bring them to a financial center.

Step 4. Once approved, your stamped document will be mailed to you via an overnight carrier (you will have the option to require a signature at delivery). Select financial centers with a medallion signature guarantee stamp on site may be able to provide stamped documents on the same day if all required documents are provided at the time your request is made (speak to a financial center manager to find out if on-site stamps are available in your area).

How long does it take to get a medallion signature guarantee?

In most cases, a review takes no longer than 2 business days after we receive all documents; complex cases may take up to 5 business days. Select financial centers with a medallion signature guarantee stamp on site may be able to provide stamped documents on the same day if all required documents are provided at the time your request is made (speak to a financial center manager to find out if on-site stamps are available in your area).