How to recover lost Savings Bonds
Monday, July 12th, 2004
Categorized as: Lost or stolen US Savings Bonds
If you own Savings Bonds that have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can have them replaced or redeemed without a fee. The process is the same no matter what series the bond is in.
First click here to get a copy of Public Debt Form 1048. Start by reading the instructions on the last page of the form, which include the address where you should mail the form after completing it.
You can provide approximate issue dates and you can enter "unknown" for denominations, serial numbers, and anything else you don't know. At a minimum, you need only provide your name and Social Security Number, but the more information you can provide the more likely it is that records of your Savings Bonds will be found.
If the Savings Bonds were a gift to you, the SSN on the bonds could belong to the person who gave you the gift rather than to you. So if you're looking for Savings Bonds your grandmother gave you and you have your grandmother's SSN, it would be useful to include it in a separate letter and submit it with the form, along with any other information you might have about the bonds that don't fit on the form.
After you have completed the form, you will have to take it to a financial institution that handles Savings Bonds to have your signature certified. In most states, most banks, savings and loans, and credit unions handle Savings Bonds. Unless you are well known at the financial institution, you will need identification. After that, send the form to the address it gives you.
The Treasury will search for the bonds in its records. If it finds them, it will make sure they haven't already been cashed. On the form, you can ask to have the bonds replaced (they'll have the original issue date), or you can ask to have them redeemed.
If the bonds you've lost were purchased through a payroll savings plan while you were in the military, also take a look at my post about reclaiming Savings Bonds held in military safekeeping.
If you haven't lost your savings bonds yet, you should make sure you have a complete inventory listing of your bonds, including their serial numbers. If you have a bond's serial number, you are certain to be able to get it replaced. My book, Savings Bond Advisor, describes several easy ways to create an inventory listing of your Savings Bonds.
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a morning show (last Friday, I believe) made this seem easy — all online — search, etc.
Camille - I'm a journalist myself, but I'm often surprised how what I say to reporters comes out in print.
The television show you saw was probably about Treasury Hunt, which can help you "find" lost bonds you don't know about, but isn't any help at all for bonds that you know about but can't find.
Of all the numbers that appear on a US Savings Bond, which is considered the "BOND NUMBER" FOR purposes of Form PD F 1048 E? Is it the last number, an alphanumeric, appearing on the lower right corner of the bond, and is in larger font than the other numbers? Since the file is in PDF format anyway, it would be helpful to include a picture on the website with each piece of information needed for the Form circled and labeled.
Thank you
The Serial Number is the large number at the lower-right. It begins with a letter that indicates the bond's face value and ends with letters that indicate the bond's series.
The form is published by the US Treasury, not Alert Media, so we can't change it. But here's a graphic like the one you're looking for.
I recently lost a bond that was purchased for me by my aunt. Both her name and mine are listed on the bond. In order to have it replaced does she have to sign the PD 1048 form as well as me, or can I do it myself? She lives out of the country currently and I would like this resolved sooner than later
Alex - The instructions for Form 1048 say that the form must be signed by all persons named on the bonds. Signature certifications outside the U.S. can be difficult to get - there's more information in my post about cashing Savings Bonds internationally.
Tom Adams
About how long does it take for the bonds to be redeemed or restored?
-Sarah
Hi Sarah - it averages about three weeks, but can be longer or shorter depending on how many requests arrive in a particular week.
Tom Adams
my family said that i had bonds - no one has any information about them, how can i search? they won't be in my ss#, because i was not issued one at birth. my parents are not sure who bought them for me.
Suzanne - There is no "special case" for someone in your situation. You fill out the form described at the top of this page just like anyone else. If you don't know the SSN on the bond, just say so on the form.
The Treasury will still do a search, however, typically the bond in cases like yours was cashed in long ago. A parent can sign for a minor child and many of them do so with gift bonds. That's would also explain why your parents no longer have the bonds.
Tom Adams
We found a few of my uncle's bonds when we were cleaning out his house. He passed away a few years ago and his estate was settled at that time. I am not sure if they checked for bonds. I wanted to know if there is a quick way to see if they have been replaced or not when you have the bonds in hand. The beneficiary is my cousin and I am helping her figure this out.
Jim - if the bonds have stopped paying interest (ie, they were issued more than 30 years ago) and if they have a Social Security Number on them, you can use Treasury Hunt to see if they are still valid.
Otherwise, your cousin should follow the have these bonds been cashed procedure.
Tom Adams
I took form 1048 to my Wells Fargo Bank officer, to have my signature certified. He called and was told that the "signature certification stamps" were taken out of the bank. He "notarized it". Will the Bureau of Public Debt accept the paperwork, being "notarized"? I had to accept what the bank was willing to do.
Hi Elsa - The Treasury's policy is that they want bank certification of your signature, not notary certification. You can send the form in with a letter explaining what happened at the bank and it may work, but don't be surprised if they send it back.
Tom Adams
we bought my son two $25.00 ee savings bonds aroud 1990-1993 but have since moved several times since and have lost all info can these be replaced? Thanks Tom
Hi Jeffrey - Yes, they can be replaced. You just need to provide Social Security Number that's on the bond, which can be either your son's, your own, or your wife's. Give them all three to work from. Otherwise, just follow the instructions on this page.
Tom Adams
Hi
I have missed placed ~120+ saving bonds that I am going to need to replace due to a divorce settlement. Could you tell me what the fast way to have this done? What is the approximate lead-time to have them in hand?
Thank You in advance
James
Hi James - the fastest way is to follow the procedure outlined on this page. It's first come, first served. There's no fast track process. Once the Treasury has the forms it takes them about three weeks to process your request, but it can be longer or shorter depending on how many other requests they receive that week.
Tom Adams
Hi Tom,
All of my parents important paperwork was stolen from their home 9 years ago. This included the Savings Bonds that my mother had received from her employer for various awards over the years. She did not know how to replace them and her employer was of no assistance in this matter. She is now in a nursing home and I would like to get these replaced for her (perhaps some should even be redeemed). I have Power of Attorney for her. Is that enough for " Authority/Legal Representative"? The total of the bonds is probably a few hundred dollars. Thanks for any direction you can give me.
Hi Jean - Yes, a Power of Attorney qualifies you to sign the form for your mother. Take the POA paperwork with you when you go to the bank to have your signature certified on the form. Otherwise, follow the procedure outlined at the top of this page.
Tom Adams
During a recent divorce it has come to my attention that my ex has cashed savings bonds made out to her and I. She signed the back of the check in her name and then signed my name as an endorser. Should I be notified that these were cashed? Also how do I find out what SS# she used?
thanks
Kevin
Hi Kevin - if your ex-wife was a named co-owner there's no reason she would have to sign your name - either co-owner can cash a Savings Bond without the knowledge or permission of the other. Their is no notification to the other co-owner. The 1099-INT tax form reporting the interest to the IRS is issued using the SSN of the person cashing the bond.
Tom Adams
My kids received numerous savings bonds between 10 and 20 years ago. These were purchased by friends, aunts, uncles, etc. (I don't know the SS # of any of the purchasers). Either due to moving, or my wife's lack of organizational skill, I can not find any of the bonds. How do I replace them?
Hi Steve - There is no special process for people who are disorganized. Use the process at the top of this page. Provide all the information you can. It may not be enough to recover the bonds, but you should give it a try.
Don't forget that it's possible the reason you don't have the bonds is that you've already redeemed them.
Tom Adams
I received a bond from my great-aunt almost 20 years ago and just found it again a week ago. However, I have now misplaced it. If I don't find it soon, I was going to fill out the above paperwork, but I had 2 questions. First, I am now married and the bond is in my maiden name. Does that change how I redeem it (if I find it) and/or how I fill out the recovery form? Second, I know my name was listed on the bond, but if memory serves, I believe my father's name was also on it in a different place. Will he need to sign the paperwork as well (does that mean the bond is also in his name, since he was my guardian at the time). It was not my SSN on the bond, so I should assume it was my great-aunt's, right? Thanks!
Jennifer - the bank will want some proof that your name changed, such as a marriage license that has your married and maiden names on it. But there's nothing unusual about this; they deal with it everyday.
Regarding your father's name, have him sign the form too, just in case.
Tom Adams
I lost several savings bonds over the years. I have no $10 weekly deducted from my paycheck. Over the years I have cashed a few in. However, in moving I have since stopped receiving them. I have called to give my new address, and I was advised to send in writing, a request of all saving bonds issued to myself. Is this request in some way going to determine which bonds were cashed and which were lost. I have no way of knowing which were cashed or lost, because I didn't keep a log.
Carole - even if you kept your own records, what matters is what the Treasury's records say. They'll tell you which ones you haven't cashed.
Tom Adams
I recieved 2-3 savingsbonds a year up until I was 13 or so from my great-grandmother.I have never seen them an she has passed away, I am now 26 and her estate was taken over by my grandmother and she said that she could not find them in her paperwork what do i do
Hi Russell - there's no special procedure for your situation.
The article at the top of this page tells you exactly what you need to do.
Tom Adams
In 1992 I had a robbery at my previous home in which US Savings Bonds were stolen. I filled out the required Govt forms (1048) and then somehow, before having them notarized, misplaced everything. Having recently moved I now found them. Can I have the old forms notarized & sent in or must I start all over? Need some help here.
Hi Norman - I suspect the forms from 1992 will still work, but that's long before I started doing this, so I can't tell you for sure. You could compare the form you have with the current form and see if there's any difference.
To be clear on the signature guarantee - a notary public can't help you. You need to take the forms to a bank or similar financial institution and have your signature certified there.
Tom Adams
My son has received many savings bonds in the mail since his birth a few months ago, but, they are issued in mine and his name. How do I find out who sent them to him? They were mailed directly from the treasury with nothing but the bonds in the envelopes. Is there a way to track who purchased them?
Candace - the info you're looking for is here.
This is a Great Website - Kudos for putting this up on the Internet!
Now my question - When I was born back in 1955 I was given a few Savings Bonds - $10 ones and $20 ones and also given a few for my Baptism. These were kept away for years but disappeared when my parents divorced in 1962. After that date my Mother nor my Dad claimed any knowledge of what happened to them.
I've always wondered what happened to those bonds and I do realize that interest must have stopped on them years ago. I tried going to the Treasury website and they only speak of more current bonds, not the old ones. I don't even think the old ones even had SSNs on the, just names and addresses.
Do you know of any way I can track those Bonds down and what happened to those bonds? For example if they were cashed, and if so, who cashed them? If one of my parents did, I know there's nothing I could do, but what are the rules for parents cashing their minor children's bonds? Just wondering….
Thanks - and keep up the great work!!
Ken
Ken - to find out if a bond has been cashed, you need the bond's serial number. Since your last name is relatively rare, you should follow the instructions at the top of this page and see if the Treasury can find records of your bonds by your name.
Tom Adams
Hi Tom;
My Mom passed away 2 years ago, 3 weeks before her death she had about 10-12 Savings bonds out, I put them in the safe and they disapeared. I have written numurous letters to the dept of treasury, they can not locaate the bonds, they also state that none have been cashed, I know she had lots of Series E or EE Bonds from the early 60's, unfortunately, we never recorded any of the bonds. I have sent letters with all possible co-owners names and SSN's with no luck.
Is there any other way to track or does the treasurey department just say nothing found if you do not use the forms indicated?
I only sent letters and all of my legal paperwork.
Hi Lori - it wouldn't hurt to send the info in again using the correct form. It clarifies your request.
Tom Adams
Hello Tom,
In the 80's I was given multiple savings bonds from my dad as birthday gifts. My godparents, who were my guardians at the time, held them for me in a locked safe. Sadly, Both my godparents passed away quite unexpectedly, and the savings bonds were "supposably" never found. I filled out a 1048 form and I put my name, social and older address along with my dads info; including social. I believe I filled everything out correctly, but I did not have my dad sign the letter. He was the one who purchased the bonds. I signed the 1048 form myself, and got it notarized with a witness.
I do have a few questions for you, if you could help .. ?
1. Would I have to resend this form again with my dad's signature ? Or is mine sufficent ?
2. Do you think they'll be able to find my savings bonds even if they may have been deposited or cashed ?
3. If they were cashed or deposited by someone, will I still be able to get my savings bonds returned to me ?
Thank you !
Lisi
Hi Lisi - You don't say how long ago you sent the form in. If it was less than six weeks ago, they'll contact you. If it was longer than that, did you not hear back from them?
The Treasury will replace bonds that are lost or stolen, but it can be difficult to prove bonds were stolen unless you have the serial numbers on the bonds.
Tom Adams
Hello Tom,
The form was sent in about 2 weeks ago. I know its a waiting process, but I'm concerned as to whether or not they would need my dad's signature as well. (He made the purchase of the bonds).
My other concern is what if they were deposited into someone's account.. ? Is that even possible ? Could someone do that ? My dad has been driving me CRAZY about this. He thinks someone took them and cashed into their account by making a deposit. He wanted to know what would happen to a person who might have done that.
The other thing is, if they were stolen, and we do not have serial numbers, what else would they do to prove they were stolen ? I would imagine our social, and signature would be acceptable.
Last thing, Is there a number to call to check on the status of how the search is going ?
PLEASE HELP !!!
Thanks, Lisi
Lisi - Patience. There is no number to call. Your dad's signature isn't needed. They will contact you after searching their records and at that point you can write or call them back with your questions.
Tom Adams
i am trying to get my lost savings bonds replaced.
I bought a saving bond for my Goddaughter when she was born. She is now 13 years old and the saving bond is long lost. How can I get her a replacement?