[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 31, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 31CFR315.55]

[Page 181-182]
 
                  TITLE 31--MONEY AND FINANCE: TREASURY
 
         CHAPTER II--FISCAL SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 315--REGULATIONS GOVERNING U.S. SAVINGS BONDS, SERIES A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, AND K, AND U.S. SAVINGS NOTES--Table of Contents
 
                     Subpart J--Certifying Officers
 
Sec. 315.55  Individuals authorized to certify.


    The following individuals are authorized to act as certifying 
officers for the purpose of certifying a request for payment, reissue, 
or a signature to a Public Debt form:
    (a) Officers generally authorized--(1) At banks, trust companies, 
and member organizations of the Federal Home Loan Bank System. (i) Any 
officer of a bank incorporated in the United States, the territories or 
possessions of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
    (ii) Any officer of a trust company incorporated in the United 
States, the territories or possessions of the United States, or the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
    (iii) Any officer of an organization that is a member of the Federal 
Home Loan Bank System. This includes Federal savings and loan 
associations.
    (iv) Any officer of a foreign branch or a domestic branch of an 
institution described in paragraphs (a) (1)(i) through (iii) of this 
section.
    (v) Any officer of a Federal Reserve Bank, a Federal Land Bank, or a 
Federal Home Loan Bank.
    (vi) Any employee of an institution described in paragraphs 
(a)(1)(i) through (v) of this section, who is expressly authorized to 
certify by the institution.

Certification by these officers or designated employees must be 
authenticated by a legible imprint either of a corporate stamp of the 
institution or of the issuing or paying agent's stamp. An employee 
authorized to certify requests must sign his or her name over the title 
``Designated Employee''.
    (2) At issuing agents that are not banks or trust companies. Any 
officer of an organization, not a bank or a trust company, that is 
qualified as an issuing agent for savings bonds. The agent's stamp must 
be imprinted in the certification.
    (3) By United States officials. Any judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of 
a United States court, including United States courts for the 
territories and possessions of the United States, and the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico or any United States Commissioner or United States 
Attorney.
    (b) Officers with limited authority--(1) In the Armed Forces. Any 
commissioned officer or warrant officer of the Armed Forces of the 
United States, but only for members of the respective services, their 
families, and civilian employees at posts, bases, or stations. The 
certifying officer must indicate his or her rank and state that the 
individual signing the request is one of the class whose request the 
certifying officer is authorized to certify.
    (2) At Veterans Administration facilities, Federal penal 
institutions, and United States Public Health Service hospitals. Any 
officer in charge of a home, hospital, or other facility of the Veterans 
Administration, but only for the patients, or employees of the facility; 
any officer of a Federal penal institution or a United States Public 
Health Service hospital expressly authorized to certify by the Secretary 
of the Treasury or his designee, but only for the inmates, patients or 
employees of the institution involved. Officers of Veterans 
Administration facilities, Federal penal institutions, and Public

[[Page 182]]

Health Service hospitals must use the stamp of the particular 
institution or service.
    (c) Authorized officers in foreign countries. Any United States 
diplomatic or consular representative, or the officer of a foreign 
branch of a bank or trust company incorporated in the United States 
whose signature is attested by an imprint of the corporate stamp or is 
certified to the Department of the Treasury. If none of these 
individuals is available, a notary public or other officer authorized to 
administer oaths may certify, but his or her official character and 
jurisdiction must be certified by a United States diplomatic or consular 
officer under seal of his or her office.
    (d) Authorized officers in particular localities. The Governor and 
the Treasurer of Puerto Rico; the Governor and the Commissioner of 
Finance of the Virgin Islands; the Governor and the Director of Finance 
of Guam; and the Governor and the Director of Administrative Services of 
American Samoa; and designated officers of the Panama Canal Commission.
    (e) Special provisions. If no certifying officer is readily 
accessible, the Commissioner of the Public Debt, Deputy Commissioner, 
any Assistant Commissioner, or other designated official of the Bureau 
or of a Federal Reserve Bank or Branch is authorized to make special 
provision for any particular case.