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1) PROBLEMS CASHING SAVINGS
BONDS
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.
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.
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.
2) CASHING BONDS ON BEHALF OF A CHILD
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.
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."
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.
4) LOST, STOLEN, OR DESTROYED BONDS
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.
5) BONDS THAT DO NOT ARRIVE IN THE MAIL
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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