How to redeem or update a Savings Bond registration when you are co-owner or beneficiary of an inherited bond
Wednesday, November 9th, 2005
Categorized as: Savings Bond registration changes • Cashing in US Savings Bonds • Inheriting and bequeathing US Savings Bonds
My husband has passed away and I would like to redeem some of our savings bonds and change the registration on some. I am named on the bonds as a co-owner. We have E and EE, I and HH bonds. How do I do this?
Tom's response
When a registrant listed on a Savings Bond dies, the surviving registrant can either cash in the bond or have its registration changed.
If the bond is redeemed, income tax will be due on all the interest the bond has ever earned. If the registration is changed, on the other hand, the bond keeps its tax-deferred status and payment of taxes will continue to be pushed into the future.
If you want to redeem the bond and you are a co-owner, all you'll need is your personal identification. If you are a beneficiary (your name has POD in front of it - payable on death), you'll also need a certified copy of the death certificate of the bond's owner.
See my post how to cash in a Savings Bond for the other details.
If you would prefer to keep the Savings Bond, you can update the registration by submitting the following form. The form includes complete instructions. Again, if you are the beneficary rather than the co-owner, you'll need to include a certified copy of the bond owner's death certificate.
- For paper Savings Bonds use Public Debt Form 4000
- For electronic Savings Bonds, click here to contact TreasuryDirect. They will guide you through the process.
When you change a Savings Bond's registration, you need to have your signature certified by a financial institution on the form before you send it in.
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How does a citizen of the Netherlands cash US Savings Bonds without a social security number? The bonds were not part of the deceased persons will.
Larry, the info you're looking for is on my page about cashing Savings Bonds internationally.
Tom Adams
I am a legal guardian with my brother of my mother in Florida because my mother has been deemed mentally incompetent. She has US Saving Bonds in her name and I need to know how to get these reissued where they will be made out to he guardians of her so that they can be cashed to help in her medical needs.
Tony - The bonds should not be reissued in the name of the guardian; this would cause the taxes to go to you rather than your mother and creates conflict of interest issues.
As the legal guardian, however, you can cash her bonds using this form.
Tom Adams
my relative passed away leaving a trust in which the h/hh bonds are held and to be divided equally w/the benificiaries. My lawyer advises to cash/divide them. Is this a good idea?
And-some bonds are made out to only 2 of the benificiaries with "c/o in trust of the deceased"
Does this mean that these bonds are only to be divided between those two people or divided equally with all the benificiaries?
De Summer - According to the Treasury's registration rules, the registration on your bonds isn't possible (registration to a Trust and beneficiaries). So I can't help you here. I suggest you scroll up and click the "Ask the Treasury" link on the right.
Tom Adams
My grandfather passed away and had bought bongs for me and my brother, however we have just found out and it ha been thirteen years. The bank they were at was bought out in 1992 by another bank. How do i go about getting the bonds or finding out where they are?
Breana - The information you're looking for is on my page about recovering lost bongs.
Tom Adams