A Guide for Savings Bond Owners: Individual, Co-ownership, Beneficiary

If you want to cash, reissue, or file a claim for a bond, and you own the bond by yourself, with a co-owner, or with a beneficiary, use the appropriate link below for a list of what you need to submit to conduct your transaction.

Before sending forms and documents, be sure they are completed, signed, and certified according to instructions. Incomplete or inaccurate submissions delay processing. Note: We don’t return legal evidence.

Cash Bonds

To cash a bond you own as an individual, the easiest method (and the quickest way to get your money) is to take them to your local bank. Be sure to take with you:

  • The unsigned bond(s) you wish to cash
  • Proof of identity (you may want to check with the bank about what’s acceptable)
  • If you are named as a beneficiary (POD), you must also have a certified death certificate for the owner

If your bank is unable to cash your bond, you can mail everything to us. You will need to send:

You can get the forms above by downloading them or ordering them. To download, click on the underlined form number. To have a form mailed to you, order it at "Forms: Savings Bonds."

Reissue Bonds

Did you know that there is no need to reissue a bond when:

  • You get married or divorced and change your name?
    When you do cash it, you’ll simply sign both names at the bank.
  • Your name is misspelled on the bond?
    When you are ready to cash the bond, simply sign with your correct name at the bank.
  • You've moved and the address on the front of the bond is wrong?
    Addresses were just for mailing purposes and don’t affect ownership.
  • Your Social Security Number on the bond is wrong.
    Surprisingly, there’s no need to reissue. However, it’s a good idea to let us know that it’s wrong. We can note that in your file and, if we ever need to search for your bond, we’ll have the correct number. See “ Correcting a Social Security Number on a Bond.”

Reissue an EE or I bond

When you reissue an EE or I bond, the bond will be replaced with a bond in electronic form, so the recipient must have a TreasuryDirect account.

Send us:

Reissue an HH bond

When you reissue an HH bond, the bond will be reissued in paper form.

Send us:

You can get the forms above by downloading them or ordering them. To download, click on the underlined form number. To have a form mailed to you, order it at "Forms: Savings Bonds."

File a Claim for Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Bonds

If your bonds are lost, stolen, or destroyed, you have these options:

  • For EE and I bonds
    • cash them
    • replace them with a bond in electronic form
  • For HH bonds
    • cash them
    • replace them with paper bonds

Note: Not sure if you have an older bond that’s that’s stopped earning interest? Use our Treasury Hunt search engine to see if any bonds are listed in the database. If so, you’ll get information on how to claim and cash them. Treasury Hunt is updated monthly.

For any of those transactions, send us:

  • FS Form 1048 – Make sure you provide all bond serial numbers.  If a bond serial number is unavailable, you must provide the following information on the form, regardless of the type of ownership for the bond:
    • The specific month and year of purchase
    • The first and last name (plus middle name or initial, if it was on the original bond)
    • Street address, city, and state
    • Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security Number) that appeared on the bond

You can get the forms above by downloading them or ordering them. To download, click on the underlined form number. To have a form mailed to you, order it at "Forms: Savings Bonds."