Last verified 2026-09-05; facts checked against the primary sources below
TreasuryDirect and savings bonds after the owner dies
Last verified: September 5, 2026
The short answer: If the deceased had an online TreasuryDirect account, contact TreasuryDirect. Treasury says it will put a hold on the account and provide instructions. Paper savings bonds follow a different route based on the names on the bond and whether a court is administering the estate.
Is the bond electronic or paper?
| Holding | Starting point |
|---|---|
| Electronic savings bonds in TreasuryDirect | Notify TreasuryDirect and obtain the account-specific instructions |
| Paper bond with a living named co-owner or beneficiary | Use Treasury's survivor instructions |
| Paper bond with no living named person | Determine whether the estate is court-administered or meets Treasury's non-administered-estate conditions |
The death-of-owner page links to each path. A surviving named co-owner or beneficiary receives the bond directly; when no named person survives, the estate route applies.
Can you use the non-administered-estate process?
Treasury's conditions include Treasury securities totaling $100,000 or less in redemption value at death, no formal court administration, and no settlement under special state small-estate provisions. These are Treasury's conditions, not California's general small-estate threshold. Read the non-administered-estate instructions before selecting a form.
What should you record before contacting Treasury?
Make a list of each bond's series, serial number, names, issue date, and whether the original paper bond is available. For an online account, preserve lawful account-identifying records without signing in as the deceased. Note any securities held at a separate brokerage so they are not confused with TreasuryDirect holdings.
Ask which originals or certified documents must be mailed, where to send them, and how to retain proof of delivery. Keep copies and request tax guidance before choosing redemption or reissue.
Where should you look next?
Use the account finder for additional account leads. For securities held at a bank or broker, consult the institution comparison.
Treasury's federal bond procedures and the estate's state-law administration are separate requirements.