How to Find Lost US Savings Bonds

You can easily replace lost, stolen or destroyed U.S. savings bonds.

Sold continuously since 1935, United States savings bonds are non-marketable treasury securities introduced by Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr. to encourage the general public to participate in government financing. Starting as low as $25, savings bonds are available in small denominations to make investing possible for individuals of almost all economic levels. Unlike cash or gold, U.S. savings bonds can be easily replaced if lost, stolen or damaged.

Things You'll Need

• U.S. Treasury Form PD F 1048 (Claim for Lost, Stolen or Destroyed United States Savings Bonds)

Instructions

1. Download and print form PD F 1048 (Claim for Lost, Stolen or Destroyed United States Savings Bonds), available at TreasuryDirect.gov.

2. Complete form PD F 1048. In Section 1, specify the face amount, bond number and issue date for each missing bond. If you don't know the exact date, provide a range of dates. Also, include any inscription information on the bond, such as your Social Security number; first, last and middle name; and any address on the bond.

3. Describe the details of the loss in Section 2 (for example, "stolen" or "destroyed"). Answer all questions regarding the loss (for example, "Who had the bonds last, and why?"; "Where were the bonds last placed?"; and "When were the bonds last seen?")

4. Fill out Section 3 regarding your authority to complete the claim for the missing bonds and Section 4 regarding whether the owner of the bonds is a minor.

5. Indicate in Section 5 how you would like to receive relief for the bonds (substitute bonds, payment by check or payment by direct deposit).

6. Complete Section 6 by providing your mailing address or bank account routing number.

7. Take form PD F 1048 to a public notary for certification and fill out and sign Section 7 ("Signatures and Certification") in her presence.

Tips & Warnings

• For bond-related inquiries, email [e-mail] or call the U.S. Treasury at 304-480-7711.

• To receive form PD F 1048 by mail, fill out a request on the U.S. Treasury website. You can request up to three copies.

• As of September 2004, the U.S. Treasury no longer issues HH/H savings bonds and no longer allows individuals to reinvest HH/H bonds or exchange EE/E bonds for HH bonds.

References

• TreasuryDirect: Beginnings of the Savings Bond Program
• TreasuryDirect: Savings Bonds Forms Ordering
• TreasuryDirect: I and EE Bonds
• TreasuryDirect: HH/H Bonds

Resources

• TreasuryDirect: Savings Bond Value Calculator