Get a list of your US Savings Bonds
Tuesday, September 21st, 2004
Categorized as: Lost or stolen US Savings Bonds
How do I get a complete list of savings bonds that have been issued to my Social Security Number?
Tom's Response
This can be done, but it requires a signed letter from you. The Treasury wants to make sure that it's not giving this information away to someone who shouldn't have it.
Interestingly, if you apply for Social Security benefits that require you have no assets, the Social Security Administration has no trouble getting a list of your Savings Bonds from the Treasury, because the Treasury deems that the SSA is entitled to the information.
What you need to do is send a signed letter requesting the information. At a minimum you need to include your name, your address now, your Social Security Number, and the approximate issue date of the bonds.
However, the Treasury's ability to search improves if you can also include bond serial numbers (even the numbers from bonds you're not looking for can help), the names of co-owners or beneficiaries, the series and denomination, your address at time of issue.
If the bond was a gift to you include the giver's name, address at the time of issue, and, of particular importance, the giver's Social Security Number.
You will receive a list of your bond holdings, including series, issue date, face value, and serial number. The list won't include any bonds that have been redeemed, however.
If you're curious about whether a bond whose serial number you have has been redeemed, ask and they will tell you.
Send your letter to the Treasury at this address:
Bureau of the Public Debt
Accrual Securities Branch
PO Box 1328
Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328
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The Savvy Saver blog says:
I just saw this helpful post on Savings Bond Advisor on how to obtain a list of all savings bonds that have been issued to your social security number.
I am Executrix of my sister's will, recently passed away, and I found Series E Bond Numbers, no physical bonds,that I believe were our mother's and stepfather's. How do I find out what uncashed bonds are in the names and social security numbers of my deceased family members? Thank you
Barbara - just follow the procedure outlined above. Include the bond serial numbers you have in your letter as well as any other information that would help the Treasury find its records of your family's Savings Bonds.
Normally the Treasury will only tell you about your own bonds, but if you include a death certificate and evidence that you are responsible for the relevant estate or an heir of the relevant estate, they will give you information about bonds belonging to the estate.
How long does the process usually take once you have sent in the information regarding lost bonds?
Kim
Hi Kim - It's not unusual for a response to take six weeks, although many come back quicker than that.
It depends on how many other people send in requests the same time you do - there's a suprising amount of variablity in how many requests the Treasury receives each week.
The number of people handling requests doesn't change, so when there are a lot of requests it takes longer to get a response.
"Hard" requests, such as searches for bonds issued before 1974 when SSNs weren't required, also take longer because there are fewer people who have the expertise to do these searches.
I had several bonds bought in the 80's and 90's from various relatives. I have no idea where they are and what happened to them. What are my odds of having them replaced?
William - if your Social Security Number is on the bonds, your odds are 100%. However, sometimes gift bonds have the SSN of the giver. In that case, you odds improve if you can give the SSNs of the relatives who gave you the bonds when you make your request.
Tom Adams
My daughter received a bond in the mail without
any name as to who it was from. How do we
know who sent this to send a thank you?
Cheri - see Who gave us this bond?
Tom Adams
My father had bonds in his posession which had belonged to his father. Since his death we have not been able to find the bonds and don't know if they were ever cashed. Is there any way to track these bonds down and if so can they be paid out to the one remaining daughter or grandchildren.
Hi Mary Ann - The Executor of your father's estate should follow the instructions at the top of this page.
Tom Adams
Hi Tom,
Many years ago I had savings bonds stolen in a robbery. They were from my grandparents, given to me at the time of my birth. I am a Canadian citizen and they were American, living in Mass. at the time. I do not know either one of thier SSN numbers, and being Canadian I do not have an SSN. What is the likelihood that if I only have names, that I will get any information regarding these bonds? Many thanks for all your help!
Hi Anne - It will depend on how common your name is. If it's Anne Smith, for example, your chances aren't as good as they would be if your name was more unusual. In any case, it's worth a try.
Tom Adams
During our move recently, our file containing our vital records and our family's savings bonds went missing! My kids have received many savings bonds as gifts from many people. Is it possible to send just one letter to inquire about myself, my husband, and all three of my kids. We have no idea what the serial #s are, the dates of issuance, or the giver's SSN! Is it hopeless? (and don't worry - we are getting a safe deposit box)
Mandy - the Treasury won't tell you about someone else's Savings Bonds. So at a minimum you need to include info about all five of you and have all five sign the letter.
Tom Adams
How do I use existing savings bonds to pay for my sons education ? He is in a trade school.What are the steps ?
Hi Rene - you cash the bonds and use the money to pay the bill. If you also want a tax deduction, then see my page on the Savings Bond education deduction.
Tom Adams
My grandmother bought a bond for me I believe in 2002. I can not seem to locate it anywhere. How do I go about getting it replaced? My dads name is on it also since I was a minor at the time.
Thank You
Wendy
Wendy - the info you're looking for is here.
Tom Adams
tom, my x husband bought saving bonds through his job at thiocol ( which made bombs in st mary ga and there was a terrible accident, lots of people lost thier lives) we became divorce and a friend kept those bonds for us, he has long since passed away. i dont know my x ss number. and dont know if he had my ss number on the bonds what can i do.
Hi Towanda - Since your ex-husband bought the bonds, they would have his SS number on them. Unless he had you named as a co-owner or the court awarded the bonds to you in the divorce, you won't have any ability to make a claim on them.
Tom Adams
How can I find out how many savings bonds I gave to my grandson?
Hi Delores - there is no way to get a list of the bonds you have given have gifts. Your grandson, however (or his parents if he is a minor), can ask for a list of his bonds using the information at the top of this page.
Tom Adams
My x-wife bought a stack of savings bonds over 12 yrs. time(while we were married) and they were all in my name. They were never addressed during the divorce ,but they are or were in my name. How do I find out any info pertaining to these bonds . thanks Terry
Hi Terry - there's no special process for your situation. Just follow the instructions at the top of this page.
Tom Adams