The Certificate of Trust (sometimes called a Certification of Trust) is a summary document that proves your trust exists and confirms who is authorized to act on behalf of it. It’s often requested by banks, title companies, or financial institutions when you’re managing trust-related transactions.
Why You Might Be Asked for One
Third parties—such as:
Banks or credit unions
Brokerage firms
Real estate professionals or title companies
…may require proof that:
The trust is valid
You are the Trustee (or Successor Trustee)
You have the legal authority to act on the trust’s behalf
Rather than providing the full trust document (which can be long and confidential), the Certificate of Trust provides just the key information.
What the Certificate of Trust Includes
The certificate does not reveal private details like your full list of assets or beneficiaries. Instead, it typically includes:
Name of the Trust
Date the Trust was created
Name(s) of the current Trustee(s)
Powers of the Trustee (such as buying or selling property)
Whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable
Signature(s) of the Trustee(s)
Notary acknowledgment
→ Related: What Is a Trustee?
→ Related: How Do I Fund My Trust?
Is This Filed With the County or State?
No. The Certificate of Trust is not filed publicly in most cases. It’s a private document meant to be shared with specific parties only when needed—for example, when retitling assets into your trust or opening a trust-based bank account.