Court-Appointed Representatives

The court-appointed representative of an estate may redeem savings bonds that are the property of that estate. He or she may do so by signing the requests for payment on the backs of those bonds and showing his or her fiduciary capacity.

For example, "John Doe, executor of the will of Mary Doe, deceased." He or she must not only adequately identify himself or herself but must also present proof of death of everyone named on the bonds, to include:

  • A death certificate from, or a copy certified to be true and correct by, the office or official having custody of the original.
  • The office or official's seal should be visible.
  • Evidence of the court's appointment of the estate's representative.
  • Evidence must bear the court clerk's statement, dated within 12 months of the bonds being presented, that the appointment is still in full force and effect.

Note: Newspaper and funeral home announcements are not proof of death.

Estate Distributions

A court-appointed representative’s request for distribution must include:

  • A completed and signed PD F 1455, one for each person entitled to the estate's bonds. When signing the form, the representative should show the fiduciary capacity.
  • The estate's bonds.
  • Proof of death for everyone named on those bonds (owner, both co-owners, beneficiary).
  • Acceptable court evidence of the representative's appointment dated within 12 months of the estate's bonds being presented, showing that the appointment is still in full force and effect.

A person entitled may request reissue to add another person as co-owner or beneficiary by filling out and signing PD F 4000.

A person entitled may, instead, request redemption by signing the request on the back of each bond he or she is entitled to and having his or her signature certified (or guaranteed).

If the court granted the representative only limited powers to distribute or dispose of the estate’s property, contact:

Bureau of the Public Debt
PO Box 7012
Parkersburg, WV 26106-7012

When Court-Appointed Representatives Have Been Discharged

If the decree of distribution or court-approved final account distributes specific bonds to specific people, each of those individuals may request payment by signing the back of the bond to which he or she is entitled and having his or her signature certified.

If the decree of distribution or court-approved final account does not distribute specific bonds to specific people, all the persons entitled to share in the estate should fill out and sign a PD F 5394 agreeing to the disposition of the bonds.

The bonds, court documents (certified to be true and correct by the court clerk or other authorized court official), a completed PD F 5394 (when necessary), and proof of death of deceased registrants should be sent to:

Bureau of the Public Debt
PO Box 7012
Parkersburg, WV 26106-7012