FS Form 1455 is the Request by Fiduciary for Distribution of United States Treasury Securities, the form an executor, administrator, or trustee uses to move savings bonds and other Treasury securities out of an estate or trust and into the hands of the people who are legally entitled to them. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service inside the U.S. Department of the Treasury receives and processes the form.
If you are reading this, you are likely settling the affairs of someone who passed away, or you are closing out a trust. That work feels heavy, and a single wrong box on a government form can stall everything for weeks. The good news is that this form is short, it has no filing fee, and once you understand what each part wants, you can finish it in about 30 minutes, which is the same estimate the Treasury prints on the form.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 🧾 What FS Form 1455 does and exactly who is allowed to sign it
- 📂 Every document you must gather before you write a single word
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of Part A, Part B, and Part C using real names
- 👨👩👧 Three full filled-out examples for the most common estate and trust situations
- ⚠️ The certification mistake that gets more 1455 forms rejected than any other
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
FS Form 1455 lets one or more fiduciaries establish that they have legal authority over a deceased person’s or trust’s Treasury holdings and direct where those holdings go. A fiduciary is a person or company the law trusts to act for someone else, such as an estate executor, a court-appointed administrator, or a trustee. The current version is FS Form 1455 (Revised April 2026), and the revision date prints in the top-right corner so you can confirm you have the latest copy before you start.
You must file this form when securities are titled in the name of an estate or trust and need to pass to the heirs, beneficiaries, or other entitled people. The Treasury’s own savings bond redemption guidance confirms that a legal representative of the estate or the trustee must use FS Form 1455 to distribute these securities. The form also covers less common reasons, such as a minor reaching adulthood (attainment of majority) or a person being restored to legal competency.
The authority for this form comes from 31 U.S.C. Chapter 31, the federal law that governs the public debt of the United States, with confidentiality rules under 31 CFR Part 323. Treasury cross-checks your authority against the evidence you attach, so the law and the paperwork work together. If you skip the proof of your authority, Treasury cannot release the securities, and your request sits in limbo. A common misconception is that being named in a will is enough; in truth, you usually need court-issued letters of appointment before Treasury will act.
This form is paper-only. There is no online portal that files an FS Form 1455 for you, though the securities themselves may live in paper form or inside a TreasuryDirect account.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gathering everything first saves you a second trip to the bank for certification. Treasury will not return any legal evidence you send, so make copies for your own records before mailing. Here is your pre-filing checklist:
- A certified copy of your letters of appointment, dated within one year of submission. This proves you are the executor or administrator; without it, Treasury has no way to confirm you can act, and the request is denied.
- A certified copy of the death certificate for each deceased registrant. Treasury needs proof the owner died; a missing certificate halts the whole transfer.
- A copy of the trust instrument (if distributing from a trust). This shows you are the trustee and that the trust has terminated; without it, Treasury cannot verify your role.
- The actual paper bonds or a list of the securities, including series, issue dates, and serial numbers. You copy this data directly onto the form, and wrong numbers cause mismatches.
- The full legal name, mailing address, and Social Security Number of each distributee. Treasury sends securities or payments straight to these people, so an error sends them nowhere.
- Your own Social Security Number and current mailing address. Part C requires these, and a blank field can bounce the form back.
- The face amount of each security (the denomination, such as $100 or $5,000). This confirms what is being distributed and prevents disputes.
- A trip to a bank or credit union with a certifying officer. You sign in front of this officer, and a notary will not work, so plan this step in advance.
A common mistake is filling in the form at home and signing it before you reach the bank. Do not sign yet. The form must be signed in the presence of a certifying officer, and a pre-signed form is rejected on sight.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only official source for FS Form 1455 is the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. You can download the current PDF directly from the TreasuryDirect forms page, which lists it under savings bond forms. Always pull the form from this government site rather than a third-party copy, because outside sites sometimes host outdated revisions that Treasury may reject.
Once you open the FS Form 1455 PDF, you can either type your answers into the fillable fields on screen or print it and write in ink. Treasury accepts both, but the instructions are firm: print in ink or type all information. Typed entries reduce the chance a reviewer misreads your handwriting, which is one of the quieter causes of processing delays.
You cannot submit this form by email, fax, or online upload. It is a mail-only form. After you complete and certify it, you send the signed paper version, without the instruction pages, to Treasury Retail Securities Services, PO Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150, the address printed in the April 2026 revision. A frequent misconception is that you mail it to the IRS or to a local Treasury office; sending it anywhere but the Minneapolis address means it never reaches the right desk.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FS Form 1455 Line by Line
The form has three parts: Part A states why you are distributing, Part B states who gets what, and Part C is where you and the certifying officer sign. Work through them in order, and keep the official examples on the instruction pages nearby.
Top of Form: Header and “For Official Use Only” Box
What it asks in plain English. The top strip shows the form number, the OMB control number 1530-0035, and a shaded box labeled “For official use only” with Customer Name, Case/Request #, and Customer No.
How to answer it. Leave the “For official use only” box blank. Treasury staff fill that in. Your job at the top is simply to confirm you are holding FS Form 1455 (Revised April 2026) by checking the top-right corner.
A specific example answer. Diane Foster, the executor of her late father’s estate, opens the PDF, sees Revised April 2026 in the corner, and leaves the gray official-use box empty.
A nuance or edge case. If Treasury already assigned your case a number from earlier correspondence, you may still leave the box alone unless a letter told you otherwise.
A common mistake and its consequence. Writing your own notes in the official-use box can confuse the reviewer and slow sorting of your file.
A misconception. People think the OMB number is something they must fill in; it is preprinted and only proves the form is approved for use.
Part A – Reason for Distribution
What it asks in plain English. Part A wants the single reason you are moving these securities. The April 2026 form gives one combined checkbox, Distribution of an estate OR trust to person(s) entitled, and a second line for Other reason for distribution.
How to answer it. Check the first box if you are an executor, administrator, or trustee passing securities to heirs or beneficiaries. Check Other and write a short reason only for special cases such as attainment of majority or restoration to competency.
A specific example answer. Diane Foster checks Distribution of an estate OR trust to person(s) entitled because she is settling her father’s estate.
A nuance or edge case. If a person entitled to paper savings bonds wants cash instead of a transfer, that person must file FS Form 1522 for payment, not rely on your 1455.
A common mistake and its consequence. Leaving Part A blank tells Treasury nothing about your authority basis, and the form cannot be processed.
A misconception. Many filers think they must attach the will here; what Treasury wants is your certified letters of appointment, which you attach as evidence, not the will itself.
Part A Evidence: Attaching Proof of Authority
What it asks in plain English. Part A’s instructions tell you to submit proof that you have the legal right to make this request.
How to answer it. Attach a certified copy of your letters of appointment dated within one year, showing the appointment is still in full force, plus certified copies of death certificates for all deceased registrants. For a trust, attach the trust instrument.
A specific example answer. Diane staples a certified copy of her letters testamentary issued three months ago and a certified death certificate for her father, Robert Foster.
A nuance or edge case. If your letters are older than one year, the court can issue a fresh certified copy; an old date can trigger a hold.
A common mistake and its consequence. Sending plain photocopies instead of certified copies leads to rejection, since Treasury cannot verify uncertified paper.
A misconception. Filers assume Treasury returns their documents; the form states legal evidence cannot be returned, so always keep your own copies.
Part B, Item 1 – Distribute To (Name, Tax ID, Address)
What it asks in plain English. Item 1 asks for the one person or entity who will receive the securities you list, plus their Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, telephone number, and address.
How to answer it. Enter only one distributee per Part B. Write the full legal name, then the SSN or EIN, the daytime telephone number, and the complete mailing address. A separate Part B must be completed for each additional distributee, and the form provides space for up to three.
A specific example answer. Diane writes Michael Foster as the name, 123-45-6789 as the SSN, a phone number, and his street address in Item 1 of the first Part B.
A nuance or edge case. If the distributee uses a P.O. Box, that is acceptable in the address line; just make sure it is the address where they can receive mail and securities.
A common mistake and its consequence. Listing two heirs in a single Part B block muddles who gets which security, and Treasury may reject the form or contact you for clarification.
A misconception. People think they can put the estate’s name here; Item 1 is for the final entitled person, not the estate, unless you are reissuing to the estate using FS Form 4000.
Part B, Item 2 – Description of Securities
What it asks in plain English. Item 2 is a five-column table where you describe each security the person in Item 1 receives: Title of Security, Issue Date, Face Amount, Identifying Number, and Registration.
How to answer it. For Title of Security, identify each by series, interest rate, type, CUSIP, and maturity as appropriate; for a check, write the word check. Enter the Issue Date, the Face Amount (par or denomination), the Identifying Number (serial, confirmation, or check number), and the Registration (how the bond is titled, plus any account number). When unsure where a detail belongs, the instructions say to put all identifying information in the Registration column.
A specific example answer. Diane lists SERIES EE, issue date 7/99, face amount $100, serial C-123,456,789-EE, registration Robert Foster SSN 222-22-2222.
A nuance or edge case. A key April 2026 rule: individual savings bonds (Series EE, E, I, HH, and H) may not be split and must each go in full to one entitled person. Marketable securities may be split in full or in $100 increments, described on the splitting line below the table.
A common mistake and its consequence. Copying the wrong serial number creates a mismatch with Treasury’s records, and the bond cannot be located or released.
A misconception. Filers think they can divide one $1,000 bond between two children; a single savings bond cannot be split, so it must go whole to one person.
Part C – Signatures and Certifications (Applicant)
What it asks in plain English. Part C is where you swear the form is true and sign as the fiduciary, then print your name, SSN, mailing address, daytime phone, and email.
How to answer it. Sign in ink, in your fiduciary capacity, in the presence of a certifying officer. Print your name and fill in your SSN, full mailing address, telephone, and email in the blanks beside the signature line. There is room for a second fiduciary to sign if more than one person shares authority.
A specific example answer. At the bank, Diane Foster signs as Diane Foster, Executor of the Estate of Robert Foster, then prints her name, SSN, and address.
A nuance or edge case. If two or more fiduciaries serve, all must join in the request unless a statute, court decree, or the governing instrument allows one to act alone.
A common mistake and its consequence. Signing at home before reaching the certifying officer voids the certification, and the form is returned unsigned in Treasury’s eyes.
A misconception. Many believe a notary public can certify this form; the instructions state plainly that certification by a notary is not acceptable.
Part C – Certifying Officer Block
What it asks in plain English. The lower half of Part C is completed by the bank’s certifying officer, who confirms you appeared in person and signed.
How to answer it. You do not fill this in. The certifying officer writes the names of the persons who appeared, the date, the city and state, then signs and affixes the financial institution’s official seal or stamp, such as a Signature Guaranteed, Endorsement Guaranteed, Corporate, or Medallion stamp. An original signature is required if a Medallion stamp is used.
A specific example answer. A First National Bank officer certifies that Diane Foster appeared on June 5, 2026, in Vilnius, MN, and stamps a Signature Guaranteed seal.
A nuance or edge case. Brokers and many transfers need a Medallion stamp; a basic notary seal never qualifies, so call ahead to confirm your bank offers Medallion or signature guarantee service.
A common mistake and its consequence. A missing officer name or appearance date makes the certification incomplete, and Treasury rejects the form even if the seal is present.
A misconception. Some think any bank teller can stamp it; only an authorized certifying officer with the proper seal may certify.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three of the most common situations, each following one filer through the form.
Example 1: Diane, executor distributing paper bonds to multiple heirs
| Form Section | What Diane Enters |
|---|---|
| Form version | FS Form 1455 (Revised April 2026) |
| Part A reason | Checks Distribution of an estate OR trust to person(s) entitled |
| Evidence attached | Certified letters testamentary + certified death certificate |
| Part B #1 (first distributee) | Michael Foster, SSN 123-45-6789, his address |
| Part B #1 securities | SERIES EE, 7/99, $100, C-123,456,789-EE, Robert Foster |
| Part B #2 (second distributee) | Sarah Foster, SSN 987-65-4321, her address |
| Part C applicant signature | Diane Foster, Executor, signed in ink at the bank |
| Certifying officer | First National Bank Signature Guaranteed stamp |
| Mailing address | Treasury Retail Securities Services, PO Box 9150, Minneapolis |
Example 2: Carlos, trustee distributing securities after a trust terminates
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Part A reason | Checks Distribution of an estate OR trust to person(s) entitled |
| Evidence attached | Copy of the trust instrument showing termination |
| Part B #1 distributee | Lucia Ramirez, beneficiary, SSN and address |
| Part B #1 securities | SERIES I, 1/1/02, $100, Confirmation IAAAA, ACCT N-111-111-111 |
| Extent of distribution | In full (savings bond cannot be split) |
| Part C signature | Carlos Mendez, Trustee of the Ramirez Family Trust |
| Certifying officer | Credit union Medallion stamp, original signature |
| Reissue note | Beneficiary files FS Form 1851 if she wants reissue to her own trust |
Example 3: Janet, sole fiduciary distributing to one entitled person
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Part A reason | Checks Other and writes attainment of majority |
| Evidence attached | Certified guardianship papers and minor’s birth date proof |
| Part B #1 distributee | Tyler Brooks, now age 18, SSN and address |
| Part B #1 securities | SERIES EE, 5/08, $50, serial number, Tyler Brooks (minor) |
| Extent of distribution | In full |
| Part C signature | Janet Brooks, Custodian signed at the bank |
| Certifying officer | Bank Endorsement Guaranteed stamp |
| Payment option | Tyler files FS Form 1522 if he wants cash instead |
How to File the Completed Form
FS Form 1455 has one filing channel: mail. After certification, send the signed form, without the instruction pages, along with all certified evidence, to the address printed on the April 2026 revision.
- Mailing address: Treasury Retail Securities Services, PO Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150.
- Filing fee: None. There is no charge to file this form.
- Accepted payment methods: Not applicable, since no fee is due.
- Processing time: Treasury Retail Securities work can take several weeks to a few months, so mail early and do not expect a quick turnaround.
- Proof of filing: Use USPS Certified Mail with return receipt, or a tracked courier, and keep copies of the full packet you sent.
Because legal evidence cannot be returned, keep your own certified copies. A common misconception is that you can fax or email this form to speed things up; Treasury does not accept electronic submission of FS Form 1455, and only the mailed paper version counts.
What Happens After You File
Once Treasury receives your packet, a reviewer at Treasury Retail Securities Services checks your authority, confirms the securities match their records, and processes the distribution. In most cases, Treasury will need extra forms or information from the distributee, and they may contact that person directly. If the transaction can be processed without anything further, Treasury sends the securities or payments straight to the distributee.
Any interest that is or becomes due on securities belonging to the decedent’s estate is paid to the person who receives the securities, unless you request otherwise. This matters for tax reporting, because the distributee, not the estate, generally reports that interest going forward. If a distributee wants cash for paper savings bonds, that person submits FS Form 1522, and for paper marketable securities the fiduciary completes the assignment on the back and the distributee files IRS Form W-9.
Expect Treasury to reach out by mail if anything is missing or unclear. A misconception is that silence means approval; in reality, processing simply takes time, and if there is a problem, Treasury contacts you rather than guessing.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each of these errors is specific to FS Form 1455 and carries a real cost.
- Signing before you reach the certifying officer. The certification is void, and the form is rejected.
- Using a notary instead of a certifying officer. Treasury does not accept notary certification, so the form bounces.
- Sending uncertified copies of letters or death certificates. Treasury cannot verify them, and processing stops.
- Letters of appointment dated more than one year ago. Treasury treats them as stale, triggering a hold.
- Listing two distributees in one Part B block. It confuses who gets what and can cause rejection.
- Trying to split a single savings bond. Savings bonds cannot be split, so the request fails.
- Copying a wrong serial or CUSIP number. The mismatch means Treasury cannot find the security.
- Mailing to the IRS or a local office. The form never reaches the correct Minneapolis desk.
- Leaving Part A blank. Treasury cannot tell why you are distributing, and the form is unprocessable.
- Forgetting to attach evidence of authority. Without proof, Treasury denies the request.
- Omitting the distributee’s SSN or EIN. Treasury cannot report the transaction to the IRS, causing a hold.
- Mailing the instruction pages with the form. Treasury asks for the form only; extra pages slow sorting.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download the current April 2026 revision so Treasury accepts your version.
- Do sign in your fiduciary capacity, such as Executor or Trustee, because that shows your authority.
- Do complete a separate Part B for each distributee to keep entitlements clear.
- Do attach certified copies of letters and death certificates, since Treasury requires them.
- Do use Certified Mail so you have proof the packet arrived.
- Do keep copies of everything, because Treasury will not return your legal evidence.
Don’ts
- Don’t sign at home; the signature must happen in front of the certifying officer.
- Don’t use a notary, because Treasury rejects notary certifications.
- Don’t split a single savings bond, since the rules forbid it.
- Don’t guess at serial numbers; a wrong number stalls the request.
- Don’t mail to the wrong address, or your form is lost in the system.
- Don’t send the instruction pages, because Treasury wants only the completed form and evidence.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se (On Your Own) | Filing With an Attorney or Professional |
|---|---|
| Pro: No professional fee, since the form itself is free | Pro: A pro spots evidence gaps before mailing, reducing rejections |
| Pro: You control the timeline and can mail as soon as you are ready | Pro: Helpful when multiple fiduciaries or contested heirs are involved |
| Pro: The form is short and the instructions are public | Pro: Useful for large estates with marketable securities and CUSIPs |
| Pro: You learn the process for future filings | Pro: An estate attorney coordinates the 1455 with probate court deadlines |
| Pro: Direct contact with Treasury keeps you informed | Pro: Reduces stress when you are grieving and short on time |
| Con: A small error can cost weeks of delay | Con: Attorney fees add cost to the estate |
| Con: You must learn certification rules yourself | Con: You depend on the professional’s schedule |
| Con: Easy to miss the one-year letters rule | Con: Some lawyers are unfamiliar with Treasury forms |
| Con: Gathering certified documents takes legwork | Con: Overkill for a single small bond |
| Con: No one double-checks your serial numbers | Con: Communication can slow if the firm is busy |
FAQs
Is FS Form 1455 free to file? Yes. There is no filing fee. Your only possible costs are certified copies of court and death records, certified mail, and any professional help you choose to hire.
Is a notary acceptable to certify FS Form 1455? No. The instructions state certification by a notary is not acceptable. You must sign before an authorized certifying officer at a bank or credit union with the proper seal.
Can I file FS Form 1455 online or by fax? No. This is a mail-only form. You send the signed paper version to Treasury Retail Securities Services in Minneapolis, with no email, fax, or upload option.
Do I list more than one distributee in a single Part B block? No. Enter only one distributee per Part B, Item 1. Complete a separate Part B for each additional person who receives securities.
Do I write the estate’s name or the heir’s name in Part B, Item 1? No. Item 1 is for the final entitled person, not the estate, unless you are reissuing to the estate, which uses FS Form 4000 instead.
Can I split one savings bond between two heirs in Item 2? No. Individual savings bonds may not be split. Each bond must go in full to one entitled person, though marketable securities can split in $100 increments.
Do I need to attach the will to FS Form 1455? No. Treasury wants a certified copy of your letters of appointment, not the will. Attach death certificates and, for trusts, the trust instrument as well.
Is there a deadline to file FS Form 1455? No. There is no hard statutory deadline, but your letters of appointment must be dated within one year of submission, so do not let them go stale.
Do I sign the form before going to the bank? No. You sign in ink only in the presence of the certifying officer. A pre-signed form voids the certification and is rejected.
Can a single trustee sign when there are co-trustees? No. All fiduciaries must join unless a statute, court decree, or the governing instrument lets one act alone, so check your trust document.
Will Treasury return my certified documents? No. The form states legal evidence cannot be returned. Always keep your own certified copies before you mail the packet.
Do I send the instruction pages with my completed form? No. Mail only the completed form and your evidence, without the instruction pages, to the Minneapolis address.
Can the distributee get cash instead of the securities? Yes. For paper savings bonds, the entitled person files FS Form 1522 for payment. For electronic securities in TreasuryDirect, they use FS Form 5511 or 5512.
Do I need a Medallion stamp or is any bank stamp fine? Yes, a Medallion or signature guarantee stamp is needed in many cases. Brokers require a Medallion stamp, and an original signature is required when a Medallion stamp is used.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Treasury Form FS-1455 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the U.S. Treasury FS Form 1010 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the U.S. Treasury FS Form 1522 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the U.S. Treasury FS Form 1851 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the U.S. Treasury FS Form 1980 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the U.S. Treasury FS Form 5336 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Arkansas Petition for Probate of Will (w/Examples) + FAQs