How to Fill Out the Back of a Savings Bond

Understanding Savings Bond Endorsement Areas

The reverse side of a physical savings bond contains designated areas for information and signatures to complete a transaction. These fields ensure the authenticity of the request and the proper transfer of funds or ownership.

An endorsement or signature line requires the bond owner or authorized party to sign their name. This signature is a critical component for validating the transaction, and it should match the name as it appears on the front of the bond. An identification section requests personal details such as your Social Security Number (SSN) and current address for verification purposes.

For financial transactions, a payment instructions section requires your bank’s routing number and account number. This ensures that any funds from a redemption are accurately deposited into your chosen financial institution. There may also be a specific area to indicate if the bond is intended for reissue or transfer of ownership rather than a cash redemption. Before initiating any process, gather your legal name, current address, SSN or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), bank routing and account numbers, and a valid government-issued identification. Having these details readily available will help ensure a smooth and accurate completion of the bond’s endorsement.

Filling Out for Cash Redemption

To endorse a savings bond for cash redemption, sign the endorsement line on the back of the bond. Your signature must precisely match the name printed on the bond or the name of the authorized payee, and should be dated on the day you present it. For security, this signature must be made in the presence of an authorized certifying officer, typically available at most financial institutions.

Enter your bank’s routing number and your personal account number into the designated fields if you wish for the proceeds to be directly deposited. You will also need to fill in your current personal identification details, including your address and Social Security Number, in their respective spaces on the bond.

After completing these steps, submit the bond for redemption. You can take the endorsed bond to a local financial institution, such as a bank or credit union, that offers savings bond cashing services. When cashing in person, remember to bring a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license. Alternatively, you can mail the bond along with a completed FS Form 1522 to the Treasury Retail Securities Site.

Filling Out for Reissue or Transfer

Endorsing a savings bond for reissue or transfer involves a distinct process, often requiring additional documentation. The current bond owner(s) must sign the bond in the presence of a certifying officer at a financial institution. This signature validates the owner’s intent to initiate a change rather than redeem for cash.

An accompanying form, FS Form 4000, is generally required to indicate the purpose of reissue or transfer. This form serves as the official request to change ownership details, add or remove beneficiaries, or convert a physical bond into electronic form within a TreasuryDirect account. On FS Form 4000, provide the new owner’s name, address, and Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number, along with the desired form of registration, such as single owner, co-owner, or with a beneficiary.

When Series EE or Series I savings bonds are reissued, they are converted into electronic bonds and held in a TreasuryDirect account. After the bond is reissued electronically, the owner can then add a secondary owner or beneficiary within their TreasuryDirect account. Once the bond is properly endorsed and FS Form 4000 is completed, mail both to the address specified in the form’s instructions for processing.

Special Situations for Endorsement

Certain circumstances require specific procedures and documentation when endorsing a savings bond, deviating from standard redemption or reissue processes.

Deceased Owner

When a bond owner is deceased, a legal representative, such as an executor or administrator, must sign the bond. The representative will sign in a manner that indicates their authority, for example, “John Doe, Executor of the Estate of Jane Doe.” This action must be accompanied by certified copies of the death certificate and the legal document appointing the representative, such as Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. If the bond was registered with a co-owner or a designated beneficiary, that surviving individual can typically redeem or reissue the bond by presenting a certified death certificate. For larger estates or those undergoing formal administration, specific Treasury forms like FS Form 1455 or FS Form 5336 may be required in addition to the death certificate and letters of appointment.

Minor Owner

For bonds owned by a minor, a parent or legal guardian is authorized to sign on the minor’s behalf. This typically requires documentation proving their relationship or guardianship, such as a birth certificate or court-issued guardianship papers. Some financial institutions may exercise discretion in processing these requests and may refer individuals to TreasuryDirect for certain minor redemptions. When reissued, bonds for minors may be placed into a Minor Linked Account within TreasuryDirect.

Name Change

If the owner’s name has changed since the bond was issued, perhaps due to marriage or a court order, they should sign the bond with their new legal name. It is recommended to sign the new name, followed by “formerly [old name],” and provide supporting documentation like a marriage certificate or court order to verify the name change. For minor typographical errors in the name, simply signing the correct name on the bond is generally sufficient.

Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Bonds

If a savings bond is lost, stolen, or destroyed, physical endorsement is not possible. Instead, you must report the situation to the U.S. Treasury by completing FS Form 1048, “Claim for Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed United States Savings Bonds.” This form requires detailed information about the missing bond and the circumstances of its loss. The completed FS Form 1048 often needs to be signed in the presence of a notary public or an authorized certifying officer, and submitting this form may lead to the issuance of an electronic replacement bond in a TreasuryDirect account.