Account Services FAQ

Franklintempleton.com offers a quick and convenient way to update your online profile information and account options.

To update your online profile:

• Log into your franklintempleton.com account
• Click the “Logged In” tab at the top of the screen, then “Edit My Profile”
• Enter your password or answer a security question and click “Authenticate”
• From here, you can update:
  • Personal profile information - personal greeting, user ID, email address
  • Security information - password and security questions
  • Document delivery options - for statements/notifications and tax documents

To update your account options:

• Log into your franklintempleton.com account
• Click on the account you wish to update under “My Accounts”
• From here, you can update:
  • Your address and phone number
  • Your bank information
  • Your Automatic Investment Plan and Systematic Withdrawal Plan, if allowable
  • Your dividend and capital gains options, if allowable

Questions? We’re here to help

Call us at (800) 632-2301

Please consult an attorney who specializes in estate planning to review your specific needs. We are unable to offer any advice or a standard form, but here is some general information.

Key Terms:

• Power of Attorney (POA) - A legal document that designates and grants authority to an individual(s) to make certain decisions on behalf of another individual.
• Principal or Maker - The person who created the POA document.
• Attorney-in-Fact (AIF) - The individual(s) who is granted authority to perform those transactions and duties specified in the POA document.

Things to keep in mind about POA authority:

• The document must allow the AIF to manage the property of the principal or maker.
• A health care POA is not acceptable for a Franklin Templeton account(s).
• An AIF generally cannot act for a custodian, trustee(s), and an executor(s).
• The POA authority ends upon the death of the principal or maker.

Types of POA:

• General POA - Grants the AIF authority to perform those transactions and duties specified in the document. This type of document typically becomes invalid upon the principal's incapacitation.
• Durable POA - Grants the AIF authority to perform those transactions and duties specified in the document. Remains in effect after the principal's incapacitation.
• Springing POA - Grants the AIF authority to perform those transactions and duties specified in the document only upon the incapacitation of the principal.

Requirements to add a General or Durable POA authority:

• POA document (copy)
  o If the date on the POA is more than two years old, call us at (866) 821-7519
• Shareholder Request Form
  o Signed by the principal or
  o If the principal can’t sign, the AIF should sign the principal’s name followed by his or her signature as AIF
• Customer Identification Form
  o Provide each AIF’s name, residential street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number
  o Signed by each AIF

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our forms.

For our requirements to add a Springing POA call us.

Questions? We’re here to help

Call us at (866) 821-7519

Interested in opening another Franklin Templeton account in a new fund? See how below.

To open a new account online by exchanging shares:

• Log into your franklintempleton.com account
• Under “My Accounts,” click on the desired account number
• Click on “Exchange,” then re-renter your password or answer a security question
• Follow the instructions and click “Submit”

Important exchange information:

• Accounts must be identically registered, or you can make an exchange into a new fund in the same share class
• You can check out our Franklin Templeton Fund Prospectuses to review a fund’s exchange policies

To open a new account by phone:

• Give us a call at the number below

To open a new account by mail:

• Complete an Account Application and mail it to one of the addresses on the form
  • If you don’t want to fund the new account with your bank information, make sure to send us an initial investment check along with the application

Have a financial advisor?

We can accept new account instructions from your financial advisor.

Questions? We’re here to help

Call us at (800) 632-2301

How Do I Change My Name on My Accounts?

• Complete a Notification of Legal Name Change form
• Sign using your former and new signatures
• Obtain a notary for your signature
  • We can accept a copy of the court document that changed your name instead of a notary.
• A Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate form, if applicable
  • Complete the appropriate sections.
  • Have each current account owner sign.

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our forms.

Questions? We’re here to help
Call us at (800) 632-2301

Changes to an Account Involving a Probated Estate

Upon the death of a sole owner, the account can be re-registered to the estate when the owner’s estate is being probated.

Here’s what we need to re-register an account to a sole owner’s estate:

• A Shareholder Request Form
• Provide the estate registration.
• Have each executor sign.
• If the request includes a transfer to a registration other than the estate, the signature(s) must be guaranteed.
• A copy of the Letters Testamentary naming the executor(s) for the estate
• The document must be dated by the court within the last 120 days.
• A copy of the death certificate
• A copy of an Inheritance Tax Waiver or Consent to Transfer from the applicable state or territory tax authority may be required if the deceased owner legally resided in Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, or Tennessee
• If the deceased owner lived in any of these locations, contact the state’s Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation.
• A Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate form, if applicable
• Complete the appropriate sections.
• Have each executor sign.
• An Account Application
  • Each executor should complete the appropriate portion of the Account Registration section.
  • Provide each executor’s name, street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number.
  • Complete any additional sections to establish account option(s).
  • Have each executor sign in the Signature and Tax Certification section.

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our forms.

Questions? We’re here to help
Call us at (866) 821-7519

Changes to an Account Involving a Non-Probated Estate

In order to ensure an estate is eligible for small estate administration under the laws of the decedent’s state of legal residence, we recommend you contact an attorney.

Upon the death of a sole owner, when the owner’s estate isn’t being probated and is subject to small estate administration under the laws of the deceased owner’s state of legal residence, the account can be re-registered to the heir(s).

Here’s what we need to re-register an account to the heir(s):

• A Shareholder Request Form
• Reference the account number(s).
• Have each heir sign.
• Each signature must be notarized.
• A Small Estate document, properly signed and executed according to the small estate laws of the deceased shareholder’s state of legal residence
• Consult the attorney for the decedent’s estate to obtain the Small Estate document required for the deceased shareholder’s state of legal residence.
• A photocopy of the death certificate
• A copy of an Inheritance Tax Waiver or Consent to Transfer from the applicable state or territory tax authority may be required if the deceased owner legally resided in Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, or Tennessee
• If the deceased owner lived in any of these locations, contact the state’s Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation.
• A Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate form, if applicable
• Complete the appropriate sections.
• Have the heir(s) sign.
• An Account Application
  • Each heir should complete the appropriate portion of the Account Registration section.
  • Provide each heir’s name, street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number.
  • Complete any additional sections to establish account option(s).
  • Have each heir sign in the Signature and Tax Certification section.

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our forms.

Questions? We’re here to help
Call us at (866) 821-7519

Joint tenancy with rights of survivorship is a form of account registration available* to shareholders. Before changing to this type of registration, we recommend you talk to your financial advisor, attorney, or tax advisor to decide if this type of registration is right for you.

When a joint tenancy with rights of survivorship registration is added to an account, all owners must agree in writing in order to make ownership changes to jointly owned mutual fund shares or sever a joint tenancy.

*Joint tenancy with rights of survivorship registration isn’t currently allowed for shareholders residing in Louisiana.

Here’s what we need to add a joint tenant:

Change a Joint Tenancy Registration Due to Divorce

In order to change an account’s registration due to a divorce, we’ll need a few documents.

Here’s what we need to change an account’s registration due to divorce:

• A Shareholder Request Form, signed by all current registered owners
• Have each current account owner’s signature guaranteed.
• Separate signature guaranteed forms, with consistent instructions, are acceptable.
• Divorce decrees aren’t acceptable to remove a joint tenant.
• A Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate form, if applicable
  • Complete the appropriate sections.
  • Have each current account owner sign.
• An Account Application, completed and signed by the account owner(s), if required
• For instructions specific to your situation, call us at the number below.

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our forms.

Questions? We’re here to help
Call us at (866) 821-7519

Change a Joint Tenancy Registration Due To Death

Upon the death of a joint tenant, it may be necessary to remove the name of the deceased tenant from an account’s registration.

Here’s what we need to remove a joint tenant due to death:

• A copy of the death certificate
• A copy of an Inheritance Tax Waiver or Consent to Transfer, if applicable 
• Obtain by contacting the decedent’s state of residence.
• A Shareholder Request Form
• Provide the new registration.
• Have the surviving owner(s) sign.
• If removing a surviving owner(s) or adding an additional owner(s), please have each surviving owner’s signature guaranteed.
• An Account Application
  • Complete the appropriate portion of the Account Registration section.
  • Provide each account owner’s name, street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number.
  • Complete any additional sections to establish account option(s).
  • Have each account owner sign in the Signature and Tax Certification section.
• A Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate form, if applicable
• Complete the appropriate sections.
• Have each current account owner(s) sign.

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our forms.

Questions? We’re here to help
Call us at (866) 821-7519

When a trustee passes away, a trust account can be re-registered to the successor trustee(s).

Here’s what we need to transfer to the successor trustee(s):

• A copy of the death certificate
• A copy of an Inheritance Tax Waiver or Consent to Transfer from the applicable state or territory tax authority may be required if the deceased owner legally resided in Iowa, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, or Tennessee
• If the deceased owner lived in any of these locations, contact the state’s Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation.
• A copy of the title, signature, and successor trustee pages of the trust document
• A Shareholder Request Form
• Provide the trust registration.
• Have each successor trustee’s signature notarized or
• Provide a signature guarantee for each signer, rather than a notary, for account values over $100,000 or
• Notary or guarantee isn’t required for each signature when the surviving trustee(s) is the only successor trustee(s).
• An Account Application
  • Complete the trust portion of the Account Registration section.
  • Indicate the trust’s Taxpayer Identification Number (must be the Social Security Number of a living trustor or an Employer Identification Number assigned to the trust).
  • Provide each successor trustee’s name, street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number.
  • Complete any additional sections to establish any account option(s).
  • Have each successor trustee sign in the Signature and Tax Certification section.
• A Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate form, if applicable
• Complete the appropriate sections.
• Have each successor trustee sign.

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our forms.

Questions? We’re here to help
Call us at (866) 821-7519

A trust is a form of account registration available to shareholders. Before changing to this type of registration, we recommend you talk to your financial advisor, attorney, or tax advisor to decide if this type of registration is right for you.

Here’s what we need to register an account into a trust:

• A copy of the title, signature, and trustee pages of the trust document
• A Shareholder Request Form
• Provide the trust registration.
• Have each current account owner’s signature guaranteed or
• Guarantee isn’t required for each signature when the current account owner(s) is the only trustee(s) for the trust.
• An Account Application
  • Complete the trust portion of the Account Registration section.
  • Provide each trustee’s name, street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number.
  • Complete any additional sections to establish account option(s).
  • Have each trustee sign in the Signature and Tax Certification section.
• A Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate form, if applicable
• Complete the appropriate sections.
• Have each current account owner sign.

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our forms.

Questions? We’re here to help
Call us at (866) 821-7519

Once the minor on a UGMA/UTMA account(s) reaches the applicable state’s age of termination, the custodian or the former minor may transfer the shares in the account(s) to the former minor’s sole name. Instructions are acceptable from either the custodian or the former minor.

Instructions for the custodian:

Here’s what we need to register the account(s) in the former minor’s sole name:

• An Instruction to Terminate Custodianship form
• Completed and signed by the custodian
  • If the total value of the account(s) is $25,000 or more the signature must be notarized
• An Account Application
• Complete the appropriate portion of the Account Registration section
• Provide the former minor’s name, street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number
• Complete any additional sections to establish account option(s)
• Have the former minor sign in the Signature and Tax Certification section
• A Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate form, if applicable
• Complete the appropriate sections
• Signed by the custodian

Instructions for the former minor:

Here’s what we need to register the account(s) in the former minor’s sole name:

• A Shareholder Request Form form
• Provide the new registration
• Signed by the former minor 
  
  • If the total value of the account(s) is $25,000 or more the signature must be notarized
• Proof of age for former minor (copy)
• Acceptable documents: birth certificate, driver’s license, or passport
• An Account Application
• Complete the appropriate portion of the Account Registration section
• Provide the former minor’s name, street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number
• Complete any additional sections to establish account option(s)
• Have the former minor sign in the Signature and Tax Certification section
• A Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate form, if applicable
• Complete the appropriate sections
• Signed by the former minor

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our forms.

Questions? We’re here to help
Call us at (866) 821-7519

Sole and joint tenant non-retirement account owner(s), who are legal residents of the United States*, can designate one or more T/O/D beneficiaries who can take possession of the property upon the passing of the account owner(s). Using a T/O/D designation removes the need for probate proceedings. Please note that the ability to add a T/O/D designation depends on the laws of the account owner’s state of residence. 

*At this time, T/O/D beneficiary designations aren’t allowed for shareholders residing in Louisiana.

With a T/O/D designation, the account owner(s) remain as the owners of the account. The account owner(s) can add or remove beneficiaries at any time, and any beneficiaries designated don’t have an ownership interest in the mutual fund shares held in the account. We recommend you talk with your attorney or financial advisor to decide if a T/O/D designation is right for you.

Here’s what we need to add a T/O/D beneficiary designation:

• A Transfer on Death Registration Form
• Complete the appropriate sections.
• Have each account owner sign.
• A Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate form, if applicable
• Complete the appropriate sections.
• Have each account owner sign.

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our forms.

Questions? We’re here to help
Call us at (866) 821-7519

Upon the death of a sole owner, the account(s) is transferred to the T/O/D beneficiary(ies).

Here’s what we need to transfer an account(s) to the T/O/D beneficiary(ies):

• Death Certificate (copy acceptable)
• Inheritance Tax Waiver or Consent to Transfer (copy acceptable)
  • May be required if the deceased owner legally resided in one of the following States:
    
    o Indiana
    o Iowa
    o Ohio
    o Oklahoma

    o Pennsylvania
    o Puerto Rico
    o Rhode Island
    o Tennessee
  • If the deceased owner lived in any of these States, call us at (866) 821-7519
  • Tax waivers may be obtained from the State’s Department of Revenue
• Shareholder Request Form
  A separate form is required for each T/O/D beneficiary
  • Indicate the new registration(s)
  • Specify transfer instructions:
    • Account(s) without pre-designated percentages
      • We require consistent instructions on how to divide the shares between the T/O/D beneficiaries
    • Account(s) with pre-designated percentages
      • The assets will be transferred in accordance with the pre-designated percentages
    • If you are unsure if pre-designated percentages exist, call us at (866) 821-7519
  • Signed by each T/O/D beneficiary
    • Each signature must be guaranteed
• Account Application
  A separate application is required for each T/O/D beneficiary
  • Complete the appropriate portion of the Account Registration section
    • Provide each T/O/D beneficiary’s name, street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number
  • Complete the appropriate section(s) to establish any account options
  • Signed by each T/O/D beneficiary

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our form

The original document must be mailed when a signature guarantee or notary is required

Questions? We’re here to help

Call us at (866) 821-7519

Upon the death of a joint tenant, it’s necessary to remove the name of the deceased tenant from the registration. We also ask that T/O/D beneficiary designations to be restated.

Here’s what we need to remove a deceased joint tenant and restate the T/O/D beneficiary(ies):

• Death Certificate (copy acceptable)
• Inheritance Tax Waiver or Consent to Transfer (copy acceptable)
  • May be required if the deceased owner legally resided in one of the following States:
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • Tennessee
  • If the deceased owner lived in any of these States, call us at (866) 821-7519
  • Tax waivers may be obtained from the State’s Department of Revenue
• Shareholder Request Form
  • Indicate the new registration
  • Signed by the surviving owner
    • A signature guarantee is required if removing the surviving owner(s) or if an additional owner(s) is added on the registration
• Account Application for Transfer on Death Registration
  • Complete the appropriate portion of the Account Registration section
    • Provide each account owner’s name, street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number
  • Complete the Beneficiary Designation section
  • Complete any additional sections to establish account option(s)
  • Signed by each account owner

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our form

The original document must be mailed when a signature guarantee or notary is required

Questions? We’re here to help

Call us at (866) 821-7519

What’s a signature guarantee?

A signature guarantee is a type of verification, backed financially by the issuer, provided by banks and other financial institutions to guarantee the legitimacy of signatures and requests. Since protecting the assets of our shareholders is one of our highest priorities, we’ll sometimes require certain requests to be signature guaranteed before we’ll process them.

Where can I get a signature guarantee?

• At a bank, savings and loan association, or credit union
• At a trust company or securities broker/dealer
• At any other “eligible guarantor institution” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission

Please note that most institutions will only provide a signature guarantee to their clients.

Can I provide a notarized signature instead of a signature guarantee?

For requests that must be signature guaranteed, a notarized signature isn’t acceptable. This is because a notary doesn’t prove the authenticity of a signature or request, nor is it backed financially by the issuer. If you are unsure whether your specific request can be accepted with a notary in lieu of a signature guarantee, contact us at the number below.

Questions? We’re here to help

Call us at (800) 632-2301

What is escheatment?

“Escheatment” is the process of turning over abandoned or unclaimed property to a state or U.S. territory. Each state and U.S. territory has its own laws defining unclaimed and abandoned property and its treatment. Franklin Templeton is required to abide by these laws but fear not: you can keep your account(s) active and prevent the escheatment of your property by following the instructions below.

Here’s how you can prevent escheatment:

• Make sure your contact information is always up to date, and let us know right away if it changes
• Respond to account inactivity letters that we may send (see below for more information)
• At least once per year, do one of the following:
  • Complete a non-automated transaction, such as a purchase or sale
  • Reach out to us in writing or by phone (using our automated phone system counts, too)
  • Log into your franklintempleton.com account
  • Cash any dividend or redemption checks once received

Please note that automated transactions, such as automatic investments or systematic withdrawals, are not considered eligible account activity and won’t prevent escheatment.

I received an account inactivity letter – what do I do now?

Depending on the requirements of the state or U.S. territory you live in, we may send you an account inactivity letter if we haven’t been able to contact you within the timeframe mandated by your state or U.S. territory.

Per the instructions on the letter, you’ll need to do one of the following by the stated deadline:

• Sign and return the letter
• Contact a Franklin Templeton Customer Service Associate
• Log onto the website listed on the form and input the provided control number

How can I recover escheated mutual fund shares?

• Search for your unclaimed or abandoned property on unclaimed.org
• Contact your state or U.S. territory’s Unclaimed Property Division or equivalent administrator

Questions? We’re here to help

Call us at (800) 632-2301

Shareholders registered on franklintempleton.com can import 18 months of account transaction data into Quicken®, or import tax documents into TurboTax®. See how below.

To import transaction data into Quicken®:

• Log into your franklintempleton.com account
• On the right side of the Dashboard, click “Download Posted Transactions”
• Select the desired account(s) and click “Proceed”
• Enter a date range, select a file type, and click “Download”
• Open the file in Quicken®

To import available tax forms into TurboTax®:

• Check the support section on TurboTax for information about setting up the import process
• You'll need to provide your franklintempleton.com user ID and password when using this service
• Need technical support? Contact TurboTax® Support

Be sure to carefully compare the tax documents provided by us to the tax documents as they appear in TurboTax®. It’s important that you ensure all entries on these forms are correct and accurately reflect your personal tax situation.

Questions? We’re here to help

Call us at (800) 632-2301

Upon the death of an account owner, who maintained an IRA with Fiduciary Trust International of the South (FTIOS) as custodian, the assets are transferred to the beneficiary(ies). Before we provide transfer instructions, we’ll need to confirm the beneficiary(ies) in our records. But here are general transfer instructions based on the type of beneficiary recorded:

Note: The beneficiary should review the IRA Custodial Agreements and Disclosure Statements booklet.

Spousal Beneficiary – Here’s what we need to transfer the assets:

• Death Certificate (copy)
• Beneficiary Distribution Request Form
  • Completed and signed by the surviving spouse
    • Signature must be guaranteed
• IRA Application
  • Only required if requesting a direct rollover to a new Franklin Templeton IRA
  • Completed and signed by the surviving spouse
    • Beneficiary plan types in Section 1 are not applicable for spousal rollover
• Designation of Beneficiary Form
  • Only required if the surviving spouse has an existing Franklin Templeton IRA where the decedent was the beneficiary or if they wish to establish a beneficiary(ies) on their Inherited IRA
  • Completed and signed by the surviving spouse

Individual Beneficiary(ies) – Here’s what we need to transfer the assets:

• Death Certificate (copy)
• Beneficiary Distribution Request Form
  A separate form is required for each beneficiary
  • Completed and signed by the beneficiary
    • Signature must be guaranteed
• Designation of Beneficiary Form
  • Only required if the beneficiary wishes to name a beneficiary on their Inherited IRA. Otherwise the beneficiary will be per our plan default (refer to IRA Custodial Agreements and Disclosure Statements booklet)
  • Completed and signed by the beneficiary

Estate Beneficiary – Here’s what we need to transfer the assets:

• Death Certificate (copy)
• Letters Testamentary (copy)
  • Court document naming the executor(s) for the estate
  • Dated by the court within the last 120 days
• Beneficiary Distribution Request Form
  • Completed and signed by each executor
  • Each signature must be guaranteed

Trust Beneficiary – Here’s what we need to transfer the assets:

• Death Certificate (copy)
• Trust Document (copy)
  o Title, signature, trustee, and successor trustee pages
• Beneficiary Distribution Request Form
  • Completed and signed by each trustee
  • o Each signature must be guaranteed

Charity/Other Entity Beneficiary – Here’s what we need to transfer the assets:

• Death Certificate (copy)
• Letters of Incorporation (copy)
• Corporate Resolution (copy)
  • Provides the name(s) of the authorized signer(s) for the organization with the corporate seal (If there is no such seal, this should be stated in writing on the corporate resolution)
• Beneficiary Distribution Request Form
  • Completed and signed by an authorized signer of the organization
  • Signature must be guaranteed

Send the completed documents to one of the addresses on our form

The original document must be mailed when we require a signature guarantee or notary

Questions? We’re here to help

Call us at (800) 527-2020