A Certificate of Trust (sometimes called an Abstract of Trust) is a shortened document that proves your Wyoming Statutory Trust exists and that you have the authority to act for it, without revealing private details like your beneficiaries or specific asset lists.
In Michigan, banks and title companies will almost certainly ask for this since they cannot look up your trust in a state database.
Certificate of Trust (Template)
1. Name of Trust: [Full Legal Name of the Wyoming Statutory Trust]
2. Date of Formation: [Date the Trust Agreement was signed]
3. State of Governance: Wyoming (Pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 17-23-101 et seq.)
4. Taxpayer Identification Number: [Trust’s EIN or “Social Security Number of Grantor”]
5. Current Trustee(s): [Your Name and any Co-Trustees]
6. Address of Trust: [Trust’s Legal Address]
7. Powers of the Trustee:
The Trustee(s) has/have the full power and authority to manage the Trust’s assets, including but not limited to:
- Opening and maintaining bank, brokerage, and investment accounts.
- Acquiring, selling, or leasing real estate in any state (including Michigan).
- Executing contracts, deeds, and loan documents on behalf of the Trust.
- Forming and managing subsidiary entities (such as Michigan LLCs).
8. Revocability:
The Trust is [Irrevocable / Revocable]. (If revocable, state who has the power to revoke it).
9. Signatory Requirements:
The signature of [One / All / A Majority] of the Trustees is required to exercise the powers of the Trust.
10. Reliance by Third Parties:
The Trust has not been revoked, modified, or amended in any manner which would cause the representations contained in this Certificate of Trust to be incorrect. Third parties may rely on this Certificate as being a correct statement of the Trust’s current status.
Signature of Trustee(s):
[Your Name], Trustee
NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Note: Since you are operating in Michigan, it is highly recommended to have this notarized so it can be used for real estate or formal banking.
State of _______________ )
County of _____________ )
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ____ day of ________, 2026, by [Your Name].
Notary Public
Next Steps for Success
- The “Double Signature”: When your Michigan LLC signs a contract, you sign for the LLC. If the LLC is owned by the Trust, you sign as the Trustee of the Owner.
- Physical Copy: Keep a printed, notarized copy of this Certificate in your “Corporate Book” alongside your Michigan LLC Articles of Organization.
Would you like me to explain how to properly list your Wyoming Trust as the “Responsible Party” when you apply for the Michigan LLC’s EIN (Tax ID) on the IRS website?