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Mutual Fund Shareholder Forms |

Transfer Ownership of an Individual Account - Owner Deceased Instructions

In order to transfer ownership of the account, simply complete a Change of Account Registration Form (PDF: 92 KB) which includes mailing instructions. Please note the following important instructions:

Complete Sections 1 through 4;
Complete Section 5 with the signature of the Executor/Executrix or Administrator of the Estate;
Obtain a Signature Guarantee* in Section 6;
Select desired privileges in Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 for the newly registered account; and
Complete Section 11 with the signature(s) of all of the new owner(s).
Complete Section 12 if transferring to a trust, corporation or other entity with a Signature Guarantee* or Corporate Seal

Please note that if transferring to a trust, you must include a copy of the first and last pages of the trust.

Please include the following legal documentation:

Certified Letters of Appointment of Executor (raised seal or colored stamp) issued by the court clerk and dated within six months; OR certified copy of Death Certificate of decedent AND certified copy of the probated Will (dated within 6 months).
A notarized Affidavit of Domicile (PDF: 48 KB) completed by the Executor/Executrix or Administrator of the Estate;
An Inheritance Tax Waiver (if applicable). This form may be obtained at your local state tax office; and
A Federal Transfer Release Form if the decedent had a foreign address and the total amount invested exceeds $60,000.

In a separate Letter of Instruction you may want to request:

The return of the original legal documents; and
To change the address of record on the current account to ensure receipt of year-end tax forms which may be generated.

If certificate shares have been issued for this account, they must be returned unsigned via certified or registered mail.

If the account has the Checkwriting Privilege, please be sure that all outstanding redemption checks for this account have been paid before requesting the transfer. As soon as we receive the required documents in proper order, we will process the transfer. You will receive written notification of the registration change and a new checkbook (if applicable) reflecting your new account number

At Dreyfus, we appreciate the opportunity to service you and your financial needs. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

*A Signature Guarantee is a stamped or typewritten assurance from a financial institution (guarantor) that a signature or endorsement is genuine. Please check with your financial institution to be certain their guarantee will meet the requirements stated below.

The Transfer Agent has adopted standards and procedures pursuant to which Signature Guarantees in proper form generally will be accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations. Signature Guarantees will also generally be accepted from financial institutions participating in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program (MSP), the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP) and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP) provided the transaction amount does not exceed the guarantor's surety bond coverage. The Alpha Prefix obtained for the Medallion Guarantee must cover the entire transaction request. Notarization by a Notary Public is not an acceptable guarantee.