Should you change the registration if your name changes?
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2005
Categorized as: Savings Bond registration changes
I recently remarried and want to change my name on my Savings Bonds to my married name. What form do I need to do this?
Tom’s response
When your name changes because of marriage, the Treasury suggests you leave your previous name on the bond; when you cash the bonds, simply sign your former name and your married name on the bonds. For example, “Mary L. Smith, changed by marriage to Mary L. Jones.”
However, the Treasury says that if a court is involved in your name change – through a divorce, for example – then you should have your named changed on your Savings Bonds, too.
In any case, the form to use to correct this error is Public Debt Form 4000.
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Tom Adams
I am going to change my child’s name who is a minor. I have some bonds in her current name that cannot be deposited yet. If I do the name change now, how can I deposit these bonds when the time comes?
John – you have to keep records of your child’s name before and after the name change and present them at the time you want to cash the bonds.
Tom Adams
I haven’s received my bonds for about 1 year and a half since I move. I sent a change of address application. So far, no response.
What can I do?
Rogelio – Sorry, I’d need more information to answer your question. Did you buy the bonds through a payroll plan with your employer? Did you buy them at a bank? Who did you send the change of address information to?
Tom Adams
My husband bought savings bonds for his daughters (my step-daughters). They are no longer minors and want to cash them in. Can I and how would I have the bond re-issued to their brother? I will give them the cash value of what they would get at the bank.
Sharon – Although this is technically possible, it’s a lot of trouble and has negative tax consequences.
It is preferable to have your step-daughters cash their bonds and buy new ones with your money for their brother.
Tom Adams