Fannie Mae Selling Guide E-2-04 — Signature Requirements for Mortgages to Inter Vivos Revocable Trusts

Fannie Mae Selling Guide E-2-04 — Signature Requirements for Mortgages to Inter Vivos Revocable Trusts

Effective 2026-08-05 · publisher's stamp for this provision

E-2-04, Signature Requirements for Mortgages to Inter Vivos Revocable Trusts (08/05/2026) Introduction This exhibit describes signature requirements for mortgages to revocable trusts, including: Signature Requirements for California Use of a Signature Addendum to Note for Mortgages to Inter Vivos Revocable Trusts Form of Signature Required on Mortgage Note for an Institutional Trustee and for an Individual Trustee Who Is Not Both a Settlor and a Credit Applicant Form of Signature Required on Mortgage Note for an Individual Trustee Who Is Both a Settlor and a Credit Applicant Form of Signature Required on Security Instrument for All Trustees Form of Settlor/Credit Applicant’s Signature Acknowledgment Required on Security Instrument Optional Limitation on Trust Liability Example Signature Requirements for Inter Vivos Revocable Trusts Signature Requirements for California The forms of signature shown below are appropriate for California mortgages. Under California law, the term “settlor” refers to the individual(s) establishing the trust; therefore, Fannie Mae uses this terminology in the signature forms and in their related instructions. Fannie Mae has also used the term “credit applicant” to refer to an individual whose credit is used to qualify for the mortgage. A lender that originates mortgages to inter vivos revocable trusts secured by properties in a state other than California is responsible for making any modifications (including the use of different terminology, if appropriate) needed to conform these signature forms to those that are customary for that state and will be held fully accountable for the use of any invalid signature form(s). Use of a Signature Addendum to Note for Mortgages to Inter Vivos Revocable Trusts Fannie Mae prefers that all signatures appear on the note itself; however, in certain situations the lender may decide that using a separate attachment for some of the signatures on the note is warranted. (An example is if there is not room for all of the signatures on the note itself.) In these situations, the lender may use a separate attachment or addendum (sometimes referred to as an allonge) for the borrower signatures, so long as the following requirements are met: All individual borrower(s) must sign the note itself; lenders may use a signature addendum for trustee signatures. The form and content of the signature addendum used must comply with all applicable state, local and federal laws governing the use of an allonge and result in an enforceable and proper signature on the note. The addendum must be permanently affixed to the related note and must clearly identify the note by referencing at least the name of the borrower, the date of the note, the amount of the note, and the address of the security property. The note must clearly and accurately reference the attached signature addendum. Fannie Mae’s status as a “holder in due course” must not be impaired. The lender must indemnify Fannie Mae (as described in A2-1-03, Indemnification for Losses), for any losses incurred by Fannie Mae as a result of the use of a signature addendum. Form of Signature Required on Mortgage Note for an Institutional Trustee and for an Individual Trustee Who Is Not Both a Settlor and a Credit Applicant Each institutional trustee of the inter vivos revocable trust and each individual trustee of the inter vivos revocable trust who is not both a settlor and a credit applicant must sign the mortgage note (and any necessary addendum), using a signature block substantially similar to the following, inserted in the Borrower’s Signature lines: _______________________________________, as Trustee of the _________ [Complete Legal Name of Trust] Trust under trust instrument dated ___________________, __________. Form of Signature Required on Mortgage Note for an Individual Trustee Who Is Both a Settlor and a Credit Applicant Each individual trustee of the inter vivos revocable trust who is both a settlor and a credit applicant must sign the mortgage note (and any necessary addendum), using a signature block substantially similar to the following, inserted in the Borrower’s Signature lines: _________________________________________, individually and as Trustee of the _________ [Complete Legal Name of Trust] Trust under trust instrument dated _____________, __________. Form of Signature Required on Security Instrument for All Trustees Each trustee of the inter vivos revocable trust must sign the security instrument (and any necessary rider), using a signature block substantially similar to the following, inserted in the Borrower’s Signature lines: _______________________________________, as Trustee of the _________ [Complete Legal Name of Trust] Trust under trust instrument dated ___________________, __________. Form of Settlor/Credit Applicant’s Signature Acknowledgment Required on Security Instrument The following must be added to the security instrument (and any necessary rider) following the Borrower’s Signature lines (and then must be signed by each settlor of the inter vivos revocable trust who is a credit applicant): BY SIGNING BELOW, the undersigned, Settlor(s) of the_______________________ [Complete Legal Name of Trust] Trust under trust instrument dated _________, ______________, acknowledges all of the terms and covenants contained in this Security Instrument and any rider(s) thereto and agrees to be bound thereby. _________________________________ (Seal) Trust Settlor. Optional Limitation on Trust Liability Whenever the trustee of an inter vivos revocable trust is required to execute the note on behalf of such trust, in accordance with B8-5-02, Inter Vivos Revocable Trust Mortgage Documentation and Signature Requirements, language substantially similar to the following may be added to such trustee’s signature: ...but solely for the limited purpose of supporting the Trust’s granting of a lien in the property pursuant to the Security Instrument. The foregoing Trust has no personal obligation hereunder for payment of any sums secured by the Security Instrument. Example Signature Requirements for Inter Vivos Revocable Trusts The following table provides guidance on how the note and the security instrument should be executed in various situations, including those involving inter vivos revocable trusts. For additional information regarding eNote loans with inter vivos revocable trusts, refer to Fannie Mae's eMortgage Technical Requirements. Borrower(s) (Credit Qualifying) Property Owner(s) (On Title or by Operation of Law) Note Signature(s) Security Instrument Signature(s) Individual A Individual A Individual A Individual A Individual A Individual B INELIGIBLE INELIGIBLE Individual A Individual B + Other Individual(s) (Other than Individual A) INELIGIBLE INELIGIBLE Individual A Individual A + Other Individual(s) Individual A Individual A + Other Individual(s) Borrower(s) (Credit Qualifying) Property Owner(s) (On Title or by Operation of Law) Note Signature(s) Security Instrument Signature(s) Individual A + Other Individual Borrower(s) Individual A Individual A + Other Individual Borrower(s) Individual A Individual A + Other Individual Borrower(s) Individual A + Other Individual(s) Individual A + Other Individual Borrower (s) Individual A + Other Individual(s) Individual A Individual A (+ Other Individual(s)) + Qualified IVR Trust(s) Individual A Individual A (+ Other Individual(s)) + Qualified IVR Trust(s) Individual A + Other Individual Borrower(s) Named Individual Borrower(s) (+ Other Individual(s)) + Qualified IVR Trust(s) Individual A + Other Individual Borrower(s) Named Individual Borrower(s) (+ Other Individual(s)) + Qualified IVR Trust(s) Individual A Qualified IVR Trust(s) Individual A + Qualified IVR Trust(s) (Optional Non-Recourse) Qualified IVR Trust(s) Individual A + Other Individual(s) Qualified IVR Trust(s) Individual A and Other Individual(s) + Qualified IVR Trust(s) (Optional Non-Recourse) Qualified IVR Trust(s) Borrower(s) (Credit Qualifying) Property Owner(s) (On Title or by Operation of Law) Note Signature(s) Security Instrument Signature(s) Individual A Qualified IVR Trust(s) + Individual(s) Other than Individual A Individual A + Qualified IVR Trust(s) (Optional Non-Recourse) Qualified IVR Trust(s) + Individual(s) Other than Individual A Individual A + Other Individual Borrower(s) Qualified IVR Trust(s) + Individual(s) Other than Individual A and Other Individual Borrower(s) Individual A and Other Individual Borrower(s) + Qualified IVR Trust(s) (Optional Non-Recourse) Qualified IVR Trust(s) + Individual(s) Other than Individual A and Other Individual Borrowers Any Trust(s) (including a Qualified IVR Trust) Any Persons INELIGIBLE INELIGIBLE Note: A “qualified” inter vivos revocable trust must have been established by an individual borrower whose credit was used to qualify for the mortgage loan. If multiple inter vivos revocable trusts are involved, each such trust must be “qualified” in relation to at least one individual borrower in accordance with the Selling Guide.

Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide E-2-04 — Signature Requirements for Mortgages to Inter Vivos Revocable Trusts · source URL · snapshot 2897f21e1e729b42