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Delaware Trustee Services

Every Delaware statutory trust must keep a Delaware-resident trustee, or it can't be formed in Delaware or held in good standing. SingleFile fills that statutory role through our partnership with a trusted Delaware partner: we accept service of process on the trust's behalf and sign the filings Delaware requires of a trustee. Your administrative trustee, sponsor, or manager keeps control of the trust, so satisfying the requirement doesn't add another vendor relationship to manage.

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At a glance

Resident trustee

Satisfies 12 Del. C. § 3807(a), which requires a Delaware-resident or Delaware-based trustee

Statutory duties only

Service of process, the Certificate of Trust, and the certificates the Act requires a trustee to execute

One invoice

Sits alongside your registered agent and compliance program, with no separate vendor to manage

Service options

Delaware resident trustee

SingleFile provides the trust's Delaware-based trustee, satisfying the Section 3807(a) requirement continuously while your trust is in good standing.

Certificate of Trust filing

We file the Certificate of Trust with the Delaware Secretary of State, and ensure that amendments and certificates the Act requires the trustee to execute are so executed.

Service of process

Legal process delivered to the trust in Delaware is received and forwarded to your designated contact promptly.

Good standing monitoring

We track your trust's Delaware filing status alongside the rest of your entities, so lapses get caught before they become problems.

Responsive turnaround

Certificate execution and standard trustee filings are handled on the same expedited timelines you already rely on from SingleFile.

One relationship, one invoice

Add trustee services to your existing registered agent and compliance program — no separate vendor, portal, or contract to manage.

How it works

  1. Tell us about your trust

    Share the trust's name, purpose, and administrative trustee or sponsor details through your SingleFile account.

  2. We prepare the documents

    SingleFile drafts the Certificate of Trust and the trustee provisions of your governing instrument for your counsel's review.

  3. We execute and file

    Once approved, we sign as Delaware trustee and file with the Delaware Secretary of State.

  4. We provide the trustee services

    SingleFile provides your trust's Delaware trustee services, forwarding process and keeping the trust in good standing year over year.

Who this is for

1031 exchange (DST) sponsors

Real estate sponsors structuring like-kind exchange offerings who need a Delaware trustee in place before beneficial interests are issued.

Securitization and asset-backed vehicles

Depositors and issuers forming trusts to hold receivables, loans, or other assets for structured finance transactions.

Investment fund series trusts

Fund sponsors organizing series trusts or standalone statutory trusts that need a compliant Delaware trustee from formation onward.

What’s in scope — and what isn’t

Function Handled by SingleFile
Satisfying the Delaware resident trustee requirement Included
Executing and filing the Certificate of Trust Included
Accepting and forwarding service of process Included
Monitoring the trust's Delaware good standing Included
Managing trust assets or investment decisions Not included — remains with your administrative trustee/manager
Beneficiary relations and distributions Not included — remains with your trust administrator
Tax reporting for the trust Not included — coordinate with your tax advisor
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Does SingleFile make decisions for my trust?
No. Our role as Delaware trustee is limited to the statutory functions described above. Your governing instrument designates a separate administrative trustee, sponsor, or manager to handle all substantive decisions.
Do I still need my own trust agreement?
Yes. You'll need a governing instrument (trust agreement or declaration of trust) prepared by your counsel that names SingleFile's partner as Delaware trustee for the limited statutory purpose and designates who handles everything else. We're glad to work with your counsel on the trustee-specific provisions.
Can this be added to my existing SingleFile account?
Yes. Trustee services sit alongside your registered agent and annual report services under one account and one invoice.
What happens if my trust is served with legal process?
We accept service on the trust's behalf in Delaware and forward it to your designated contact right away, the same way we handle registered agent service today.

This page describes SingleFile's Delaware trustee service offering and is provided for general informational purposes. It is not legal advice. Consult your counsel when forming or amending a statutory trust.

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