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Whatever you call the Medallion Guarantee (there are a number of different names, including the Gold Medallion, the Medallion Stamp, and the Medallion Signature), it can be something that you definitely need. But what is it exactly? And why would you need it? The Medallion Guarantee must be obtained before any beneficiaries of funds or shares from America or Canada can be sold or transferred. This Medallion came in after 9/11 in order to create more security. The Medallion Guarantee is a bar coded document which is intended to prevent cross-border fraud. It allows the institute issue the shares to confirm that they are genuine. If fraud is committed, they are the ones who accept liability for it. There are a few different reasons for wanting or needing to transfer shares like this. The most obvious one is that although the shares were originally bought through an English or British company, they were then bought out by an American or Canadian company. So the shares are now held by a foreign company. If the person who bought these dies, and the beneficiary wishes to have them transferred into their own name, it cannot be done without a Medallion Guarantee, assuming the beneficiary is British and the shares are with a North American company. The Medallion Guarantee is just one of many different documents that will be required when it comes to transferring foreign shares after the original owner has died, but without out, no transfers or sales can happen, so it is absolutely essential. But other documentation required includes a copy of the death certificate, the transfer of stock ownership form, the original stock certificates (and this is where many people have problems), an inheritance tax waiver, and an affidavit to prove that the deceased was not a resident or citizen of America. It is often best to speak to experts about this, as trying to do it yourself is an arduous and long winded job.