What is a signature guarantee?

A signature guarantee is a stamp or seal which certifies that a signature is genuine (unlike notarization which certifies a document is genuine).

Your current institution requires a signature guarantee before they will send your assets to Vanguard. You can obtain a guarantee from a bank, savings and loan, credit union, or other financial institution. Requiring a signature guarantee is common practice when transferring, redeeming shares, or changing ownership of an account.

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