Signature Certification
Some forms require signature certification by a person who qualifies as a certifying individual.
Wait to sign the form until you are with the person who will certify your signature. Follow the instructions on the form carefully.
On this page:
- In the United States - Who qualifies as a certifying individual
- Outside the United States - Who qualifies as a certifying individual
In the United States
| Who may certify signatures in the U.S. | Evidence of certifying individual's authority |
|---|---|
| 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
|
| 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 certifying individual's 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
|
| 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. |