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. For EE or I bonds still earning interest, 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. All HH bonds reached final maturity as of August 1, 2024, and must be redeemed.

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

How to apply: Cash EE/I bonds at a participating financial institution with ID, or request reissuance through TreasuryDirect (requires a TreasuryDirect account). HH bonds cannot be cashed at banks and must be sent directly to TreasuryDirect for payment.

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 at least 18, competent, and be the surviving spouse, blood relative, legally adopted child, or next of kin. Treasury cannot return submitted documents, so send legible copies of legal evidence.

Eligibility: Surviving spouse, blood relative, legally adopted child, or next of kin acting as voluntary representative (must be at least 18 and competent); total treasury securities $100,000 or less

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 unsigned bonds and certified death certificates to Treasury. To distribute bonds to heirs rather than cash them, also include FS Form 1522 (for cash redemption), FS Form 4000 (for reissuance of EE/I bonds), or FS Form 4000 + FS Form 5396 (for heirs keeping HH bonds). For lost, stolen, or destroyed bonds, include FS Form 1048.

Court-Administered Estate Procedure

For estates settled through probate court, under state small estate provisions, or with treasury securities exceeding $100,000, the court-appointed representative handles the bonds. For open estates, use FS Form 1522 to redeem bonds to the estate, or FS Form 1455 to distribute to heirs (heirs then submit FS Form 1522 for redemption or FS Form 4000 for reissuance). For closed estates or small estates settled under state law, use FS Form 5394. Treasury cannot return submitted legal evidence -- send legible copies with visible stamps or seals.

Eligibility: Court-appointed executor or administrator

How to apply: Submit the appropriate FS Form with court appointment documentation (legible copies with visible stamps or seals), certified death certificates, and unsigned bonds to Treasury Retail Securities Services, P.O. Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150