Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamps
As specialists in the field of transatlantic transfers and sales of shareholdings, Finders can help you to obtain the Medallion Guarantee stamp, which you will need to transfer or sell US and Canadian securities.
Why do I need and what is a Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp?
For shareholders living outside the US or Canada who own shares in US or Canadian listed companies, they can only sell the shares or change their ownership by submitting a Transfer Request or Stock Power form to the transfer agent (US or Canadian share registrar) with a Medallion Guarantee stamp affixed, along with other supporting documents. This affects millions of Irish-resident shareholders, and their estate representatives.
What is the stamp?
The Medallion Guarantee (see the above example) is stamped onto the form that changes the ownership or name registration on the shareholder account. It acts as official authentication that the person initiating a transfer of securities is who they say they are and is able to change the share ownership. That could mean the shareholder, or their Executor if they have died, for example.
The stamp programme is intended to protect shareholders and transfer agents alike from fraud. With this in mind, the stamp providers must therefore assure themselves through documentary evidence that the person requesting a stamp is able to instruct the transfer agent to change the ownership of a shareholding. That would include providing certified proofs of identity and address, and proof, for example, that the person is the authorised representative of the estate of a deceased shareholder.
How do I get a stamp?
Providers of the Medallion Guarantee Stamp in the United Kingdom are all members of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP). They comprise a handful of companies in the UK who are authorised to issue the Medallion Guarantee Stamp, but only when they are entirely satisfied that all criteria have been strictly observed.
As agent to a STAMP member, Finders International provides a no-nonsense service guiding you through the process, and ensuring that all the documentation is present and correct before sending on to the stamp provider, helping prevent last-minute delays.
How much the stamp cost?
Stamp fees start from
Case Studies
Click here for help with the full process of transferring or selling shares.
The road to New York – CRH
Mrs Moore (name changed for confidentiality) worked for Cement Roadstone (CRH) for many years, and was part-paid in shares. Just before her death in 2023, CRH announced the removal of its primary share listing to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
However, on going through her papers, her children could only find ‘old’ paperwork from the former share registrar, Link. Mrs Moore had unwittingly become an overseas shareholder of US listed stock.
As Executors, the children’s task was to transfer the shares to themselves. Contact was now with Computershare, the US transfer agent, who required multiple steps to transfer the shares out of Mrs Moore’s sole name. They offered no direct sale facility.
First off and in good faith, the children wrote to Computershare in the USA to ask them to transfer the shares to themselves. They eventually received a written refusal. Everything about contact with Computershare USA was different: use of the term “decedent” instead of “deceased”, an “Affidavit in Lieu of a Federal Transfer Certificate”, and “letters testamentary”. The unspoken privacy and security barriers were making the process frustrating and time-consuming.
The children were referred to specialist firm Finders to have the Medallion Signature Guarantee stamps affixed to the transfer paperwork. Finders talked the family through the necessary paperwork requirements, with clear and detailed instructions, and remained on board until the stamped form was returned, so the children could continue working with Computershare to finalise the transfer of the CRH shares out of their mother’s name.
While the Medallion Guarantee stamp service Finders offers is basic, with no frills, we do also assist practitioner and Executor clients with a comprehensive share sale or transfer service for US and Canadian shares: please contact us to request a quote.
I just changed my name…
When Sarah divorced, she thought it would be simple to transfer her late father’s shares, a wedding gift to her many years previously, back into her maiden name. She wrote to the transfer agent (share registrar) with the relevant documents, but the response, several weeks later, was an automated letter telling her that she needed to obtain a Medallion Guarantee Stamp on the transfer document, before the name on the share certificate could be transferred into her sole name. A Medallion Guarantee Stamp is a special guarantee for the transfer of securities for all US and Canadian shares, which affirms that the person transferring the shares is able to do so. US regulations stipulate that without this stamp the shares cannot change name or ownership. Sarah researched all the information she could find about obtaining a Medallion Guarantee Stamp, including how much they cost and who offered to obtain them for shareholders living outside of North America. She settled upon Finders International because they were the most friendly and efficient when she contacted them. It was also helpful that they were able to take payment in Euros, as they have an office in Dublin. Sarah sent in the required documents, which included various forms of identification and the transfer request form supplied by the transfer agent, and within a matter of days the Medallion Guarantee stamped document was on its way back to her. She was then able to re-apply to have the shares changed into her sole name. Finders can also help you with the full process of transferring or selling US stock. For more information please contact us.
Explore a range of related services that we offer
Finders can have the Medallion Guarantee stamp affixed as part of the wider work of transfer or sale of shares, or on a standalone basis.
We manage the sale or transfer of shares and securities held by deceased estates, ensuring smooth and compliant transactions.
We assist in obtaining probate recognition in overseas jurisdictions, enabling access to foreign-held assets.
We handle the closure of international accounts and repatriation of funds to the estate efficiently and securely.
Finders can have the Medallion Guarantee stamp affixed as part of the wider work of transfer or sale of shares, or on a standalone basis.
We manage the sale or transfer of shares and securities held by deceased estates, ensuring smooth and compliant transactions.
We assist in obtaining probate recognition in overseas jurisdictions, enabling access to foreign-held assets.
We handle the closure of international accounts and repatriation of funds to the estate efficiently and securely.