Fidelity Investments is one of the most commonly asked-about sources for medallion signature guarantees. As one of the largest brokerage firms in the country, many people assume they can get a stamp directly from Fidelity.
The answer is yes — but with conditions that trip up many customers.
Does Fidelity Offer Medallion Signature Guarantees?
Yes, Fidelity does provide medallion signature guarantees. They are a participant in the STAMP medallion program. However, the service is only available to Fidelity account holders, and there are restrictions on which transactions they will stamp.
Requirements
Fidelity’s requirements for a medallion signature guarantee include:
Active Fidelity brokerage account. You must be a Fidelity customer with an open, funded account. If you do not have a Fidelity account, they will not provide the service.
The securities must be held at Fidelity — or transferring to Fidelity. This is where many people run into trouble. Fidelity generally provides medallion stamps for transactions involving Fidelity-held assets. If you are trying to transfer securities held at Computershare, EQ, or another transfer agent, Fidelity may decline.
Investor center visit or mailed request. Depending on the transaction, Fidelity may require you to visit an Investor Center location in person. Some medallion requests can be handled by mail, but not all.
Identity verification. Valid government-issued photo ID is required.
Transaction review. Fidelity reviews each request and may decline if the transaction does not meet their internal risk criteria.
Common Reasons Fidelity Declines
The scenarios where Fidelity often says no:
- The securities are not held at Fidelity
- The transaction involves an estate or trust with complex documentation
- You do not have a Fidelity account and are not opening one
- The dollar value exceeds Fidelity’s internal guarantee threshold
- The documents require stamps for a transaction at another institution
Fidelity’s priority is protecting their own customers and their own assets. Transactions that do not involve Fidelity-held securities receive lower priority or are declined outright.
A Key Distinction: Fidelity Is a Broker, Not a Bank
This matters. Banks and brokers both participate in medallion programs, but they approach the service differently. Banks see medallion stamps as a liability-heavy customer service offering. Brokers like Fidelity see it as part of managing their own clients’ assets.
This means Fidelity is generally more willing to stamp documents when the transaction involves moving assets within or out of Fidelity. They are much less willing when the transaction has nothing to do with their platform.
Processing Time
When Fidelity agrees to provide a medallion stamp:
- At an Investor Center: Same-day possible if documents are complete
- By mail: 5-10 business days for processing, plus mailing time
- Total: 1 day to 2+ weeks depending on method
The fastest path is visiting a Fidelity Investor Center with complete documentation. The challenge is that there are only about 200 Investor Centers nationwide, and you may not have one near you.
Fidelity vs. eSignature Guarantee
| Fidelity | eSignature Guarantee | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Fidelity account holders | Anyone in the US |
| Scope | Primarily Fidelity-held securities | Any securities, any transfer agent |
| Process | Investor Center visit or mail | Entirely online |
| Transaction types | Standard transfers preferred | All types including estates, trusts, corporate |
| Processing time | Same day (in person) to 2+ weeks (mail) | 5 business days |
| Cost | Free for Fidelity customers | From $300 |
| Locations | ~200 Investor Centers | Nationwide, online |
When Fidelity Is the Right Choice
If you are a Fidelity account holder, the securities in question are held at Fidelity, the transaction is straightforward, and you have an Investor Center nearby, Fidelity is a reasonable first option. The service is free and can be same-day.
When You Need an Alternative
If the securities are held elsewhere, if the transaction involves an estate or trust, or if you do not have a Fidelity account, Fidelity is unlikely to help.
This is a particularly common situation: a transfer agent like Computershare tells you that you need a medallion stamp, you call Fidelity because they are well-known, and Fidelity declines because the assets are not on their platform.
eSignature Guarantee is institution-agnostic. We stamp documents for securities held at any transfer agent — Computershare, EQ, AST, Continental, and others. No account relationship required, no in-person visit. We are a STAMP-participating institution, and our stamps carry the same legal weight as any bank or broker stamp.
From $300, with processing typically within 5 business days.