ID requirements to redeem Savings Bonds
Thursday, November 18th, 2004
Categorized as: Cashing in US Savings Bonds
I work for a nursing home and one of our residents has bonds she needs to redeem. However, she has no ID. How can we help her get these bonds redeemed?
Tom’s response
To redeem a Savings Bond, you need a bank official to certify the owner’s signature on the back of the bond. Although banks generally require some type of personal identification, the actual requirements are up to the bank.
I recommend you contact the nursing home’s bank and explain the situation. An officer of the bank may be willing to certify your resident’s signature.
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Tom Adams
Can I cash a bond if I am not a member of that bank?
Jason - it’s up to each individual bank whether they will cash Savings Bonds at all or if they will cash a Savings Bond for any particular individual.
Certainly having an account at a bank helps, but it’s not always a requirement and some banks won’t cash Savings Bonds even if you do have an account with them.
If you have difficulty finding a bank that will complete a Savings Bond transaction for you, this post explains how to buy or cash in a Savings Bond through the Federal Reserve.
If I’m divorced can I cash bonds that I bought with my wife where some have my name and some hers. we had a non-contested divorce where we both just got what we each had. We did both pay for the bonds but because of the business I was in I got the bonds and she got the cash. The bonds are all older than ten years.
Jim - you can cash the bonds that list your name first. You can cash the bonds that have your name second if “OR” is between the names. Otherwise, you’ll need your ex-wife’s help in cashing the bonds, as only she can legally redeem them.
Tom Adams
My daughter has a number of bonds issued in her maiden name. Now that she’s married how does she
go about cashing in these bonds as her married name won’t be on the bonds?
Mark - this is extremely common; banks deal with it everyday. Your daughter will simply need to show documentation that the name on the bonds is her maiden name - maybe her marriage license?
Why women take their husband’s names rather than keeping their own baffles me. It’s much simpler just not to change your name.
Tom Adams
can i cash a savings bond that does not have my name on it
Hi Mike - No. Your name has to appear on the bond as the owner or co-owner or it’s not legally yours. Thus no one will cash it for you.
Tom Adams
Hi Tom,
My 80 year old father is incapacitated, he is semi-coherent and legally blind. He has no checking account either. How can I cash his savings bonds, which are in his name? Do I need to create an estate in his and my name? It would nice to have additional funds to cover his expenses.
Thanks,
James
James - This form is what you need. Read the instructions, particularly 4B, carefully.
Tom Adams
For bonds bought for infant children, is the mother able to cash it in if the child is not legal age yet and her name is not on it?
Kathleen - either custodial parent can sign for his or her own minor children and cash the bond.
Tom Adams
Hi,
I purchased savings bonds in the name of a former friend’s child. My social security number is on the bonds. Can I cash them in or return them for the purchase price?
Thanks,
Shannon
Shannon - You may be able to return the bonds for the purchase price, but this is an unusual transaction and there’s no form for it. The best thing to do is ask the Treasury what their process is for this.
Tom Adams