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1) PROBLEMS CASHING SAVINGS BONDS

1.1) I'm not sure where to find a bank that cashes bonds. Do you have a list of banks in my area that can help me?

Most full service banks and other financial institutions are "paying agents" for U.S. Savings Bonds so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding one. We don't maintain a listing of local banks that cash bonds, so you'll need to check with the banks in your area.

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1.2 I'm having a hard time cashing my bonds. My bank isn't convenient to where I work or live, so I've tried to cash them at a bank where I'm not a customer. This bank told me they could only cash up to $1,000 of my bonds. What can I do?

If you need to cash more than that, a Federal Reserve Bank that handles Savings Bond transactions can help you. You'll need to sign the request for payment on the back of the bonds before a certifying officer at a bank, provide your social security number, and mail the bonds to the Federal Reserve Bank that services your area.

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1.3) I do not live in the United States, but I want to cash some of my bonds. How can I do this?

Unfortunately, the answer to this one gets a little complicated. Normally, banks in foreign countries aren't authorized to redeem U.S. Savings Bonds. However, if you're a U.S. citizen, you can redeem the bonds in a foreign country at any banking facility of a bank that's incorporated in the United States, the territories or possessions of the U.S., or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. If you can't find a bank that meets these requirements, send the signed and certified bond to the Federal Reserve Bank of Buffalo (P.O. Box 961, Buffalo, NY 14240-0961) or to the Bureau of the Public Debt (P.O. Box 1328, Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328). You'll also need to send a statement over your (the bond owner's) signature stating you're a U.S. citizen and provide your social security number. If you aren't a U.S. citizen, you'll also need to complete IRS Form W-8BEN. In a foreign country, requests for payment must be signed in the presence of (and be certified by) any U.S. diplomatic or consular representative or the manager or other official of a foreign branch of a bank or trust company incorporated in the U.S. This representative's signature is attested by an impression of the corporate seal or is certified to the Department of the Treasury. If a representative described above isn't available, requests for payment may be signed in the presence of (and certified by) a notary or other official authorized to administer oaths. The official character and jurisdiction of this individual should be certified by a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer under seal of his/her office.

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2) CASHING BONDS ON BEHALF OF A CHILD

2.1) Can I cash bonds registered in my daughter's name if: (1) I'm not named as co-owner, or (2) I'm listed as the beneficiary and my daughter is living?

Yes, if the child is too young to sign the request for payment and understand the transaction, payment can be made to either parent with whom the minor lives (or to whom legal custody has been granted). The request would be made on the back of the bond as follows:

"I certify that I am the parent of Jane Doe with whom
Jane Doe resides (or to whom legal custody has been
granted). She is ___ years old and is not of sufficient
understanding to make this request.
John Doe on behalf of Jane Doe"

Local financial institutions that redeem Savings Bonds can pay bonds in the circumstances outlined above. When a local institution is unwilling to use this optional authority to redeem bonds, the signature of the person requesting redemption can be guaranteed or certified at a bank or financial institution, and the bond is sent to the nearest Federal Reserve Bank that handles Savings Bonds. Note: If your child is old enough to understand the transaction and sign the request for payment, she can cash the bond herself if she provides the required identification.

2.2)If a child's name is the primary name on a Savings Bond and a parent is the secondary name on the bond, can the parent redeem that bond solely?

Yes, assuming the bonds are in the child's and parent's names as co-owners, such as, "John Doe, Jr. OR John Doe, Sr."

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3) STATUS OF SAVINGS BONDS

3.1) How can I find out the status of my Savings Bonds to determine whether or not they've been cashed?

If you have the serial numbers, we can look up the status of the securities, assuming they are U.S. Treasury securities. But because of the confidentiality of the records, we must have a signed request by the owner or a co-owner mailed to us (via the postal service) before we can give out information. If the bond owner or both co-owners are deceased, then the person making the request needs to provide proof of the death, such a copy of the death certificate(s). Send the request to: Bureau of the Public Debt, P. O. Box 1328, Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328.

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4) LOST, STOLEN, OR DESTROYED BONDS

4.1) If a bond is lost, stolen, or destroyed, what should I do?

Bonds that are lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed can be replaced free of charge as long as we (the Bureau of the Public Debt) can establish that the bonds haven't been cashed. To assure that the bonds can be traced, owners should keep records of bond serial numbers, issue dates, registration, and social security or taxpayer identification numbers in a safe place separate from the bonds. (The Savings Bond Wizard is a great way to do this!) To get your bond replaced, complete Form PD F 1048. On this form, provide the approximate issue date along with the complete names, addresses, social security number that appeared on the bond, and the bond serial number. If you don't know the serial number or denomination, just write "unknown" in the space provided. If the bond owner is a minor, the form should be signed by both parents and the minor's age and social security number should be included. Mail the completed form to: Bureau of the Public Debt, Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328. Replacement bonds will still show the original issue date.

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5) BONDS THAT DO NOT ARRIVE IN THE MAIL

5.1) I recently ordered some Savings Bonds, but I haven't received them in the mail. What should I do?

Here's how it's supposed to work. An EE bond ordered over-the-counter at a financial institution should arrive at the delivery address within 15 business days (usually, about 3 calendar weeks) from the date of your purchase order. In fact, some bond buyers have reported to us that they received their bonds within just a few days. If the bond doesn't arrive within 15 business days, contact the institution where you ordered the bond. They'll work with you and the Federal Reserve Office to either find the missing bond or get you a replacement. If you end up signing a form to get a replacement bond, the replacement bond is normally delivered within 15 business days of that form arriving at the Federal Reserve Bank. If you buy bonds through your employer's Payroll Savings Plan, work through your payroll office to get a replacement.

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6) TRANSFERRING BOND OWNERSHIP

6.1) How do I change the beneficiary on my bonds?

To change the beneficiary on Series EE/E bonds or Series HH/H bonds, complete Form PD F 4000. To change the beneficiary on I Bonds, use Form PD F 5387. The signature on the form should be guaranteed or certified by an authorized certifying officer (available at a bank, trust company, or credit union). Mail the completed form and the bonds to the Federal Reserve Bank that handles Savings Bond transactions for your region.

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6.2) My spouse's name is spelled incorrectly on some of the bonds we own together. Do we need to change this?

If it's a minor error in spelling, you may not need to have the bonds reissued. However, if the error could cause a problem for your spouse cashing the bonds at a local financial institution, the bonds should be reissued to correct the spelling. To have I Bonds reissued to correct the name, the purchaser needs to complete and sign Form PD F 5387. To have Series EE/E bonds reissued to correct the name, the purchaser needs to complete and sign Form PD F 4000. The purchaser's signature on the form should be guaranteed or certified by an authorized certifying officer (available at a bank, trust company, or credit union). Mail the completed form, along with the bonds, to the Federal Reserve Bank that handles Savings Bond transactions for your region.

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6.3) I own Savings Bonds and my son is the beneficiary. I want to transfer the bonds into his name and make him the principal owner. Can I do this?

Series E and Series EE bonds can be reissued to your son, but not I Bonds. To reissue Series E and Series EE bonds, complete and sign Form PD F 3360. Your signature on the form must be guaranteed or certified by an authorized certifying officer (available at a bank, trust company, or credit union). Mail the completed form, along with the bonds, to the Federal Reserve Bank that handles Savings Bond transactions for your region. Please note: If you have your Series E or Series EE bond reissued to name your son as the principal owner, it'll create a tax liability for you. For more information see Tax Consequences of Reissuing Bonds at www.savingsbonds.gov. Another option is to leave your bonds in your name, and change your son from a beneficiary to the second-named co-owner. This change wouldn't create a tax liability for you. To make this change, complete and sign Form PD F 5387 (for I Bonds) or PD F 4000 (for Series EE/E bonds). Your signature on the form needs to be guaranteed or certified by an authorized certifying officer (available at a bank, trust company, or credit union). Mail the completed form, along with the bonds, to the Federal Reserve Bank that handles Savings Bond transactions for your region.

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6.4) I'd like to transfer some of the Savings Bonds in my name alone to my grandchildren. How can I do this?

You can request reissue of Series E and Series EE bonds to your grandchildren, but not I Bonds. For Series E and Series EE bonds, complete and sign Form PD F 3360. Your signature on the form must be guaranteed or certified by an authorized certifying officer (available at a bank, trust company, or credit union). Mail the completed form, along with the bonds, to the Federal Reserve Bank that handles Savings Bond transactions for your region. Please note: If you have your Series E or Series EE bonds reissued to name your grandchild as the principal owner, it'll create a tax liability for you. For more information, see Tax Consequences of Reissuing Bonds. Another option is to leave the bonds in your name, and add a grandchild as a second-named co-owner on the bonds. This change wouldn't create a tax liability for you. To make this change, complete and sign Form PD F 5387 (for Series I Bonds) or PD F 4000 (for Series EE/E bonds). Your signature on the form needs to be guaranteed or certified by an authorized certifying officer (available at a bank, trust company, or credit union). Mail the completed form, along with the bonds, to the Federal Reserve Bank that handles Savings Bond transactions for your region.

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7) SAVINGS BONDS FOUND BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE OWNER

7.1) I found a Savings Bond in an old desk I purchased at an auction. I don't know the person named on the bond. Can I cash it?

No. Except in special circumstances, Savings Bonds aren't transferable and the ownership of the bonds is determined by the names on the bonds, not by who physically holds them. The bond that you find may, for example, have already been replaced following a report by the owner that the bond was missing. In this case, the bond belongs to the U.S. Government, and we're careful not to pay for the same bond twice. Even if the owner never filed a claim for the bond, it still belongs to him. If you receive bonds that belong to someone else, please send them to us. We can hold them pending a claim from the owner. Mail the bonds to: Bureau of the Public Debt Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328

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Keep in mind that these questions may not fit all situations and are only intended as guidelines. Please visit the Savings Bonds website at www.savingsbonds.gov, or see your organization's Savings Bonds contact if you have any questions

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