🏦 Banking & Finance

What Happens to Your TreasuryDirect Account When You Die

US savings bondsT-bills and notesGovernment account
Check for old paper savings bonds in safes and lockboxes — they may be worth thousands.

Quick Facts

Phone

1-844-284-2676

Form

FS Form 5336

Holdings

EE, I Bonds, T-bills

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Check for TreasuryDirect online account

Search email for treasurydirect.gov correspondence. The deceased may hold EE bonds, I bonds, T-bills, or Treasury notes in an online account.

Estimated time: 15 min

2

File FS Form 5336 for estate claim

Download FS Form 5336 from treasurydirect.gov. Complete the form and submit with death certificate and court documentation. This is the official estate claim form for Treasury securities.

3

Call TreasuryDirect: 1-844-284-2676

Speak with a representative to confirm holdings and verify the estate claim process. Wait times can be long — call early in the day.

Estimated time: 30-60 min wait

4

Search for paper savings bonds

Search safes, lockboxes, filing cabinets, and bank safe deposit boxes for paper savings bonds. Bonds issued before 2012 may be on paper. They continue earning interest for up to 30 years.

Document Now Checklist

  • TreasuryDirect account number
  • Types of securities held (EE, I, T-bills)
  • Current values
  • Whether paper bonds may exist

Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with TreasuryDirect. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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