Notifying the Treasury when someone dies

Direct Transfer to Co-Owner or Beneficiary

If a living co-owner or named beneficiary exists on the bond, the bond transfers directly to that person and does not become part of the estate. The surviving person can cash the bond at a financial institution, let interest accumulate until maturity, or request reissuance in their name alone through TreasuryDirect.

Eligibility: Named co-owner or beneficiary on the savings bond

How to apply: Cash at a participating financial institution with ID, or request reissuance through TreasuryDirect (requires a TreasuryDirect account)

Non-Administered Estate Procedure (Under $100,000)

If no one is named on the bond and the estate is not court-administered, a voluntary representative can cash or distribute bonds using FS Form 5336. Total treasury securities must be $100,000 or less in redemption value as of the date of death. The voluntary representative must be the surviving spouse, blood relative, or legally adopted child.

Eligibility: Surviving spouse, blood relative, or legally adopted child acting as voluntary representative; estate under $100,000 in treasury securities

Amount: Full redemption value of bonds

How to apply: Complete FS Form 5336 (signed before a certifying officer at a financial institution) and mail with bonds and death certificates to Treasury

Court-Administered Estate Procedure

For estates settled through probate court or with treasury securities exceeding $100,000, the court-appointed representative handles the bonds. Use FS Form 1522 to redeem bonds to the estate, FS Form 1455 to distribute to heirs, or FS Form 4000 to reissue bonds to heirs. For closed estates, use FS Form 5394.

Eligibility: Court-appointed executor or administrator

How to apply: Submit the appropriate FS Form with court appointment documentation, death certificates, and unsigned bonds to Treasury