The short answer: if you can get one from your bank, it is usually free. If you cannot — and most people cannot — an online service like eSignature Guarantee starts at $300.
But the real cost of a medallion signature guarantee is not just the sticker price. It is the time, travel, frustration, and opportunity cost of trying to navigate a system that was not built to be easy. Here is how the costs actually break down.
Bank and Credit Union Costs
Sticker price: Free (for qualifying customers)
Banks and credit unions that offer medallion signature guarantees typically do not charge a fee. The stamp is considered a customer service, similar to notarization.
The catch: most people do not qualify. Banks typically require:
- An existing account with at least six months of history
- The securities to be held at or related to the bank
- The transaction to fall within their internal value and complexity limits
If you meet all of these requirements and have a branch nearby with a trained medallion officer, the bank route is genuinely free and can be same-day. This is the minority of cases.
Hidden costs:
- Multiple phone calls and branch visits to find one that says yes (hours to days)
- Travel to branches that may not be nearby
- Time off work for appointments during banking hours
- Risk of rejection after the trip
Broker Costs
Sticker price: Free (for account holders)
Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Vanguard, and other major brokers provide medallion stamps to their customers, typically at no charge. Like banks, the service is limited:
- Usually restricted to transactions involving securities held on their platform
- May require visiting a physical location (Fidelity Investor Centers, Schwab branches)
- Complex transactions (estates, trusts) may be declined
- Not available to non-customers
If your securities are held at your broker and the transaction is straightforward, this is a good option. If the securities are held at a transfer agent like Computershare or EQ, your broker will likely decline.
Online Medallion Guarantee Costs
Sticker price: $300 and up
Online medallion services charge a fee because they are providing a specialized service that most institutions will not. Here is what that fee typically covers:
At eSignature Guarantee, $300 includes:
- Identity verification — biometric verification through our platform
- Document guidance — we tell you exactly what you need for your specific scenario
- Compliance review — a dedicated officer reviews every submission
- The medallion stamp — covers transfers up to $500,000
- Return shipping — 2-day shipping of your stamped documents plus scanned copies by email
For transactions over $500,000, contact us for pricing.
The Cost Comparison Table
| Provider | Stamp Fee | Eligibility | Transaction Types | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your bank | Free | Existing customers, 6+ months | Simple individual transfers | 1-3 weeks |
| Your broker | Free | Account holders | Broker-held securities | Days to weeks |
| Credit union | Free | Members | Limited | Days to weeks |
| eSignature Guarantee | From $300 | Anyone in the US | All types | 5 business days |
The Real Cost: Time and Opportunity
The sticker price only tells part of the story. Here is what the bank route actually costs when you factor in time:
Scenario: Estate settlement
Your parent passed away and left securities in a brokerage account. The transfer agent requires a medallion stamp. You call your bank — they do not offer the service. You call three more banks. One says yes but requires you to open an account and wait six months. You call your parent’s broker, but the account is frozen pending estate settlement and they will not provide a stamp on a decedent’s account.
You have now spent 5-10 hours over multiple days. The securities are sitting in a frozen account. If the market moves against you during this period, that is real money lost.
Scenario: Job change with 401(k) rollover
Your new employer’s plan requires a medallion-stamped transfer form. Your bank says they can do it — in three weeks, at a branch 40 miles away. You take a half day off work, drive to the branch, and learn that the medallion officer is out sick. You reschedule. Another half day.
Two half-days of lost wages plus mileage plus the stress of a deadline approaching.
The hidden cost calculation:
| Cost Factor | Bank Route | Online Service |
|---|---|---|
| Direct fee | $0 | $300 |
| Time spent (hours) | 5-20+ | 1-2 |
| Value of time (at $50/hr) | $250-1,000 | $50-100 |
| Travel costs | $20-100 | $0 |
| Missed work | $100-500 | $0 |
| Opportunity cost (delayed transfer) | Varies | Minimal |
| Total real cost | $370-1,600+ | $350-400 |
The online service is almost always cheaper when you account for the full picture.
When to Pay for an Online Service
The decision is straightforward:
Use your bank or broker (free) when:
- You have an established account relationship
- The transaction is a simple individual transfer
- You have a branch nearby with a medallion officer
- You are not on a tight timeline
Use an online service ($300) when:
- Your bank or broker declined or does not offer the service
- The transaction involves an estate, trust, or corporate entity
- Your securities are held at a transfer agent, not a broker
- You need the stamp within a specific timeframe
- You have already spent time calling around without success
About eSignature Guarantee Pricing
We have been providing medallion signature guarantees since 2017, with over 25,000 stamps issued. Our pricing is designed to be straightforward:
- $300 per stamp — covers transfers up to $500,000, processing typically within 5 business days
- No hidden fees — you see the total before you pay
- No charge for resubmissions — if documents need correction on the same transaction
Payment is collected only after your documents have been reviewed and we confirm we can complete your transaction. If we cannot provide the stamp for any reason, you receive a full refund.
For full details, see our pricing page.