How to Complete the Certification of Trust form

(For California Only)

This information will be helpful when you want to:

  • Open trust accounts or put existing accounts into a living trust.
  • Open accounts for someone else’s living trust because that person has passed away.

This information will not be helpful for opening accounts as a conservator or executor of a Will. Please let us know if you need such accounts.

Required Form: Certification of Trust

We use aCertification of Trustform, which summarizes key information.Here’s why we require this short form(and will not accept the full trust document):

  1. Protects privacy: The full trust document includes personal information (beneficiaries’ names, assets in the trust, etc).Some customers prefer not to sharethis information.

Using the Certification of Trust form with all customers means we are consistent and meet such privacy preferences at the same time.

  1. Helps us help you: The information we need is found in several places in the full trust document. Less-experienced staff often have trouble finding it because each document is a bit different.

The Certification form guides our staff and helps us provide accurate and speedy service to you.

  1. Compliance with the law: California law prohibits us from requiring the full trust document. Requiring a Certification forminstead ensures we comply.

Things to Know About the Form

We prefer you use our Certification of Trust form. Ask any account or customer service agent for a copy. (You do not have to go to court or use a lawyer to get one.)

However, a “Certificate” may have been created along with the full trust document.If you already have a Certificate we may be able to use it.

Other Helpful Information

Here’s some information about words and phrases often associated with a person’s living trust:

  • A person’s assets are known as their “estate,” no matter how big or small the value.
  • The laws governing what happens to assets after a person dies are probate laws. In some situations this process is managed by the court system, which is commonly known as “going through probate.”

Probate laws apply even if the deceased person’s estate does not “go through” probate, such as when that person has a living trust.

  • Our service-providers may accidentally use “trustee” and “executor” to mean the same thing. You may want to specify that you need an accountfor a living trust to ensure we’re on the same page.

“Do I Really Need a Trust Account?”

This question usually comes up when the person who has the living trust has passed away and their successor trustee is taking care of things. Here is thegeneral answer:

As a practical matter, a trust account is needed when there will be checks payable to the deceased person’s living trust.

For example, there may be refunds from the deceased person’s insurance and utilities accounts.

Another common reason for needing a trust account is when the decedent’s home or other property in the trust is sold. Though sometimes the proceeds go directly to trust beneficiaries, sometimes the escrow process generates a lump sum check payable to the trust.

If you’re a successor trustee and are not sure about the above, ask a local escrow company about the usual process when trust assets are sold. CPAs who handle trust tax returns (IRS form 1041) may also be able to advise you about other possible needs for a trust account.

A Walk Through the Form

Most of the informationis in the full trust document. If you’re comfortable showing them the full document, our representatives can help you with the form.

I / We:The first field is for the trustees names (the trustees who will sign the form).

If the person who created the living trust is living, they are the trustee (there may be more than one).

If the person who created the living trust is deceased, the trustees are the “successor” trustees (there may be more than one).

Name of Trust: The name exactly as shown in the full trust document. e.g., Samuel G. Jones Living Trust (which is Samuel G. Jones’ living trust).

Executed on:This is the date the trust was created (not the date the Certification of Trust form is completed).

Settler(s) / grantor(s): Some trusts use “settler” and some use “grantor.” The person’s name is shown in the trust document (there may be more than one name).

Currently acting trustee(s): If living, this usually is the person or people who created the living trust.

If that person has died, this is the successor trustee or trustees, or co-successor trustees. (Co-successor trustees do not have to show “co” on the form.)

Power of trustee(s) includes: The full trust document lists many powers, but we just need a yes or no for the three powers shown on the form.Please be sure to check yes or nofor each one.

Revocable or Irrevocable: When the person who created the trust is living,the trust is revocable.

When that person has passed away the trust automatically becomes irrevocable. (You’ll see this indicated in the trust document.)

If the trust is still revocable, we need the names of the person or people who may revoke—cancel—the trust.

Multiple trustees?This applies to the currently acting trustee or trustees; including currently acting successor trustees.We need to know if there is more than one acting trustee.

If there is more than one acting trustee, we generally need at least two as signers on a trust account. However, we will not allow dual-signature accounts and so the number in the first box must be 1.

Trust tax identification number: This will not be shown in the trust document. If the person (or people) who created the trust is living this is usually a social security number. However, it may be an EIN.

Once a trust is irrevocable (the person who created it has died), we may not use a social security number. In this case we must use an EIN for the trust. EINs are free from The online process is easy and takes just a few minutes to complete.

Tip: The IRS web pages will focus on EINs for businesses but the application applies to living trusts, too. See How to Apply for an EIN on

Title to trust assets: This is usually the same as the name of the trust. e.g., Samuel G. Jones Living Trust.

Room for two signatures: If more signatures are needed, use the four lines on the form and print each signer’s name below their signature. (Remember to wait tosign in front of the notary.)

Notarization:Signatures on the completed Certification of Trust form must be notarized.

There are two types of notarization: Acknowledgments and Jurats. We require an Acknowledgement. (Jurats involve taking an oath and are used for things like depositions and affidavits.)

Bring the Original NotarizedForm

We must see the original completed and notarized Certification of Trust form when we open the account. We will make a copy and return the original to you.

You may use the notarized form with other financial organizations; however, they may require that you complete their own form.

09/23/2015For customizing, contact Shawn Greene via SavageandGreene.comPage 1 of 2