Certified Documents

The certification process involves a search of files maintained in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Particular attention is given to structural changes brought about by mergers, purchase and assumption transactions, consolidations, corporate title changes, amendments to articles of association, and the establishment of branches.

Documents Certified by the OCC

All certifications are one-page documents.

• Certification of Corporate Existence
  States that a specific national bank or federal savings association (legal name, location, and charter or docket number) holds a valid certificate to transact the business of banking on the date of the certification.

• Certification of Charter
  States that a true and complete copy of the national bank's charter certificate or federal savings association’s charter is attached.

• Certification of Corporate Title Change
  States that a true and complete copy of the national bank's title change document is attached or the certification that a federal savings association’s changed its title.

• Certification of Articles
  States that a true and complete copy of the national bank's articles of association or the federal savings association’s articles of combination is attached.

• Certification of Merger
  States that a true and complete copy of the national bank's official merger certification is attached or the certification of a federal savings association merged.

• Certification of Fiduciary Powers
  States that a specific national bank or federal savings association holds fiduciary powers on the date of the certification.

• Certification of Appointment of Receiver
  States that a true and complete copy of a receivership determination and appointment of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver of a failed national bank or federal savings association is attached.

Processing Time

Because of the extensive research required to identify and prepare documents for certification, we are unable to meet unreasonably short deadlines. Most certification requests are processed within 20 business days from the date we receive the request.

Cost

Charges are $100 per certificate. Duplicates are $10 each. Prepayment is required. Requesters will get faster service if they include the OCC charter or docket number of the bank or federal savings association.

Submit requests for certified documents to:

Comptroller of the Currency
ATTN: Manager, Disclosure Services & Freedom of Information Act Officer
Communications Division
Mail Stop 2-3
Washington, DC 20219

Requests by telephone are not accepted. Verbal confirmation of an institution's corporate existence is not provided.