How to Replace Lost or Stolen Savings Bonds

TreasuryDirect can help replace lost or stolen savings bonds

Savings bonds are part of many individuals' retirement and investment portfolios. They have always been safe investments: After all, savings bonds are "backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government." But, is that true for paper bonds that are lost, stolen or destroyed? You bet. And the U.S. Treasury Department offers all the tools you need to replace lost, stolen or damaged savings bonds.

Things You'll Need

• Internet Access
• Savings Bonds Records

Instructions

1. Visit TreasuryDirect.gov.

2. Click on "Forms" in the horizontal menu at the top of the page.

3. Click on "Forms for Individual/Personal Use."

4. Click on "Savings Bond Forms."

5. Scroll one click down the page and — under the heading "Claims Forms" — click on the PDF URL for "PD F 1048," the title of which is "Claim for Lost, Stolen or Destroyed United States Savings Bonds."

6. Complete the form, carefully following the instructions.

7. Note especially the one-line sentence of instructions beneath the introductory narrative of Section 7 of the form: "You must wait until you are in the presence of a certifying officer to sign this form."

8. Mail the completed form to the address listed at the bottom of page 5 of the form.

Tips & Warnings

• Make copies of bonds and store the information with the savings bonds records.

References

• TreasuryDirect.gov