What is the difference between a Notary Public and a Medallion Signature Guarantee?
Notarization by a Notary Public is an assurance made by a Notary Public that a signature is valid. A Notary Public is a public officer who witnesses and certifies the authenticity of signatures by confirming the identity of the signer, ensuring they are not signing under duress, and that they intend the terms of the document to be in full force and effect. They also may administer oaths and affirmations when needed and make certified copies of certain unrecorded original documents. The Notary Public serves as an impartial witness to a transaction on legal documents, such as deeds, affidavits, etc. Notaries are available at all branch locations. The first 12 items notarized in a calendar year are free of charge for our members, shared branch members and non-members. After 12 items, there is a fee of $4.00 per item. Any page that requires a notary’s seal counts as an item. Please note that we are unable to notarize I-9 forms or on wills.
A Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp is used only in situations involving the sale or transfer of securities. A Medallion Guarantor bears financial liability should the signature prove to be fraudulent. The Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp is available at all branch locations. Requests for a Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp require 3-5 business days to review. Copies will be submitted and you will retain your original documentation. Click on Medallion Stamp Member Checklist to access a form that will assist you with the preparation of documents requiring a Medallion Signature Guarantee.
Note: The Signature Validation Program, SVP, is a different program and is not available through Delta Community Credit Union. For more information about the SVP, go to http://www.svprogram.com/.
Is Delta Community a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp Program with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)?
Yes, Delta Community participates in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP) administered by Kemark Financial Services when assisting members with Medallion Signature Guarantee stamp requests. The STAMP program is one of three programs accepted by the SEC. At this time, this service is not available for business entities.
What does it mean when a transaction receives a Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp?
Each time a Medallion is used, the Guarantor is making the warranties of Section 8-306 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). The UCC defines a guarantee of a signature as a warranty, with respect to the signature of the endorser of a security or an or an originator of an instruction regarding a security, that, at the time of signing, (a) the signature was genuine; (b) the signer was an appropriate person to sign, or if the signature was by an agent, the agent had actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person; and (c) the signer had the legal capacity to sign. Section 8-306 also states that the guarantor does not otherwise warrant the rightfulness of the transfer.
What is a Security?
Securities are shares, participations, or other interests in the property of an enterprise of an Issuer. You may have heard them referred to as stocks, bonds or funds. A Security is represented by an instrument which is in ‘book entry’ or certificated form and is issued in the name(s) of a person(s) entitled to the Security or to certain rights represented by the Security. The instrument must be commonly traded on securities exchanges or in securities markets, or commonly recognized as a medium for investment where it is issued or traded.
On what documents can the Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp be used?
The Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp should be used only to guarantee an endorsement that authorizes the sale, transfer, or redemption of a security of up to $500,000. Examples include: Mutual Fund liquidation request, transfer or sale of shares of stock and U.S. Savings Bond redemption. At this time, this service is not available for business entities.
What documents should not be guaranteed?
Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamps are not intended for use in guaranteeing or certifying routine administrative changes such as address or Tax Identification Number (TIN) updates, account number changes, adding a bank account, wire transfers, and other account maintenance actions. Examples include: 401(k) Enrollment forms, Term Life insurance policies, Tax returns, Mortgage, or Car Loan documents. Medallions cannot be used when transferring funds from one insurance product to another insurance product. For example, a 1035 exchange from a fixed annuity to a fixed indexed annuity cannot receive a Medallion Signature Guarantee stamp.
Proper Uses of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp
The Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp can be used to guarantee an endorsement on transactions up to $500,000 involving a change in ownership or a liquidation of the following items:
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Mutual Funds
- Savings Bonds (or any Governmental Debt Obligation)
- Unit Investment Trusts
- Other investment vehicles that meet the definition of a security
Note: A request to change the name shown on a security is considered a change in ownership and is a proper use of the Medallion Stamp.
Improper uses of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp
The Medallion Stamp should not be used on transactions that do not involve the sale, transfer, redemption, or liquidation of securities, such as:
- Requests from business entities (corporations, LLCs, partnerships, etc.)
- Savings Account Withdrawals
- Bank Account Close-outs
- Check Endorsements
- Home Equity Loan Applications
- Auto Loan Applications
- Certificates of Deposit
- Amendments to Partnership or Trust Agreements
- Changes to Life Insurance or Pension Trust Beneficiaries
- Electronic Funds Transfer Enrollment Forms
- TreasuryDirect® Administrative Account Updates
- Copies of Documents not involved in a Security Transaction
- IRAs that do not contain Securities
- Guaranteeing or certifying maintenance or administrative changes, such as address or TIN updates, account number changes and the like
- Forms with whiteout on original forms will not be accepted
