The TreasuryDirect® Account Authorization, FS Form 5444 (Revised March 2026), is the paper form you sign in front of a certifying officer to prove who you are so the U.S. Treasury can activate your TreasuryDirect account or remove a security lock from it. You file it when Treasury cannot confirm your identity online, when your account gets “hardlocked,” or when you open certain entity accounts like a trust, estate, or business.
This form sits between you and your money. A locked TreasuryDirect account means you cannot buy, sell, or redeem your savings bonds and Treasury securities until Treasury clears you, and the only way back in is a correctly signed and mailed FS Form 5444. Filers report wait times that can stretch to 20 weeks, so a single mistake that bounces your form can add months to the delay. That is why getting it right the first time matters so much.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 🔓 How to unlock a hardlocked TreasuryDirect account using the correct box
- 🖊️ How to get your signature certified by a notary, bank, or Medallion officer
- 📋 The exact documents and numbers to gather before you open the form
- 🏦 How to fill out the form line by line, with real named examples
- 📬 Where to mail the finished form and how long Treasury takes to process it
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
FS Form 5444 is the official TreasuryDirect® Account Authorization form published by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service. Its job is simple but serious: it proves to Treasury that the real account owner is the one asking to activate or unlock an account. Treasury uses it as an identity check when its online verification cannot confirm you, which keeps thieves from grabbing control of an account full of bonds. The form carries OMB control number 1530-0071, and the version you should use is the one marked Revised March 2026 in the lower corner.
You must file this form in a handful of common situations. The most frequent is a hardlocked account, where Treasury froze your access after a security flag and now demands certified proof of identity. You also file it when you open a new account that Treasury cannot verify by computer, often because your name, address, or Social Security number did not match outside records. Entity accounts, such as trusts, estates, and businesses, frequently need this form because a computer cannot verify a non-person.
The people who file FS Form 5444 are everyday investors, not lawyers. They include retirees who bought I bonds, parents saving in Treasury securities, trustees managing a family trust, and executors settling a deceased relative’s account. Many are stressed because their money feels stuck behind a wall. The rules that govern the form flow from 31 CFR Part 363, the federal regulation that controls TreasuryDirect accounts, so the form is not optional paperwork. It is the legal key Treasury requires before it hands you back control.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything before you open the form, because a single missing detail can send your form back and reset your wait. The certifying officer will also want to see proof of who you are, so plan to bring identification to that appointment. Pull these items together first:
- Your TreasuryDirect account number. This ties the form to the right account; without it, Treasury cannot match your request and may reject the form.
- Your full legal name as registered. It must match the name on your account, because a mismatch triggers a manual review and a longer hold.
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or taxpayer ID. Treasury requires it under IRC Section 6109; leaving it blank stops processing cold.
- Your current mailing address. Treasury mails account notices here, so an old address can cut you off from key letters.
- Your daytime phone number and email. Treasury uses these to reach you if a problem appears, which can speed up a fix.
- A government photo ID. The certifying officer checks this in person; without it, the officer will refuse to certify your signature.
- Your entity’s legal documents (if filing for a trust, estate, or business). These prove your authority to act, and missing them voids an entity request.
- The reason you are filing. Know whether you are activating a new account or removing a hardlock, because that choice changes which box you check.
Having each item ready means you sign once and mail once. If you walk into a notary missing your ID or your account number, you waste the trip and may pay a second certification fee. Treat this checklist as your guard against a months-long restart.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get FS Form 5444 directly from the official source so you know it is the current March 2026 version. Download it from the TreasuryDirect savings bonds forms page or the Treasury marketable securities forms page, where it is listed by name as “TreasuryDirect® Account Authorization.” The file is a fillable PDF, so you can type your answers on a computer before you print it. Printing a clean, typed copy lowers the chance of a clerk misreading your handwriting.
Avoid random third-party form sites when you can, because they sometimes host outdated revisions that Treasury may reject. The safest path is the government domain, treasurydirect.gov, which always carries the live version. If you cannot print at home, a public library or a copy shop can print the PDF for you. Treasury also offers a short account authorization help video that walks through the basics.
Note one hard limit before you start: this form is mail-only. There is no online portal, no fax line, and no email submission for FS Form 5444, so do not waste time searching for a way to upload it. You must print it, sign it in front of a certifying officer, and mail the paper original. The TreasuryDirect login portal handles your normal account access, but the unlock itself happens by mail through this form.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FS Form 5444 Line by Line
Work through the form in the order the fields appear. Type your answers where you can, use blue or black ink for anything handwritten, and never sign until you are in front of the certifying officer. Each field below explains what it asks, how to answer it, a real example, an edge case, the common mistake, and a myth to drop.
1. TreasuryDirect Account Number
This field asks for the account number Treasury assigned when you opened your TreasuryDirect account. Enter it exactly as it appears in your account or on your account emails, with no extra spaces or guesses. Maria Lopez writes A-123-456-789 in the account number box, copying it straight from her welcome email. If your account is brand new and you never received a number, leave it blank only if Treasury’s instructions told you to, and note your situation elsewhere.
A common edge case is the locked-out filer who cannot log in to look up the number. In that case, check your original account confirmation email, since Treasury sends the number there at signup. The most common mistake is entering a digit wrong, which makes Treasury unable to match the form to your account and bounces it back unprocessed. People often believe Treasury can find their account by name alone, but the account number is the key field that links your request, so a wrong number means a wrong account.
2. Full Legal Name
This field asks for your complete legal name as it is registered on the TreasuryDirect account. Write your first name, middle name, and last name exactly as they appear on the account and on your Social Security card. James Robert Carter writes James Robert Carter, not “Jim Carter,” because his account and his Social Security card both show the full name. Use all the parts of your name that are on file, including a suffix like Jr. or III if it is part of your record.
The edge case here is a recent name change after marriage or divorce. If your account still shows your former name, enter the former name to match the account, then handle the name change as a separate request. The common mistake is using a nickname or dropping a middle name, which causes a name mismatch that Treasury cross-checks against its records and flags for manual review. Many filers think small spelling differences do not matter, but Treasury matches names closely, and a mismatch can stall your form for weeks.
3. Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number
This field asks for the SSN tied to your account, or the Employer Identification Number (EIN) if the account belongs to an entity. Enter all nine digits in the format the form shows, such as 123-45-6789 for an SSN. Aisha Brown, opening a personal account, writes 987-65-4321, the same SSN she used to open the account. For a trust or business, the trustee or owner enters the entity’s EIN instead.
The edge case is an entity account, where you must use the EIN, not your personal SSN, or Treasury cannot match the entity. The common mistake is leaving this field blank or transposing digits, which stops processing because Treasury is required to verify the taxpayer ID under federal law. People often believe sharing the full SSN is risky on this form, but Treasury is legally allowed to collect it under IRC Section 6109, and omitting it guarantees a rejection.
4. Mailing Address
This field asks for the current address where Treasury can reach you by mail. Enter your street number, street name, apartment or unit number, city, state, and ZIP code on the proper lines. David Kim writes 742 Evergreen Terrace, Apt 5, Springfield, IL 62704, the address on his current account. Use the address Treasury has on file if possible, since a match speeds review.
The edge case is a P.O. Box. You can use a P.O. Box if that is how you receive mail, but list it exactly and consistently with your account. The common mistake is giving an old address after a move, which means Treasury’s account letters never reach you and you miss important notices. Filers sometimes think the address is just a formality, but Treasury uses it to send account confirmations and security letters, so an outdated address can lock you out all over again.
5. Daytime Telephone Number and Email Address
This field asks for the phone number and email where Treasury can contact you during business hours. Enter a number you answer and an email you check, since Treasury uses these only if a question arises. Sandra Patel writes (312) 555-0147 and sandra.patel@email.com, both active and current. Double-check the email for typos, because one wrong letter cuts off a fast line of contact.
The edge case is filers who share a household phone or a work line; use the number where Treasury can actually reach you, not one you rarely answer. The common mistake is listing a disconnected number or a dead email, which means Treasury cannot reach you to fix a small problem and instead rejects the form. People often assume Treasury will only mail them, but a working phone or email can save weeks when a clerk needs one quick clarification.
6. The “Remove Hardlock” Authorization Box
This is the field that most unlock filers came for: the box you check to ask Treasury to remove the hardlock on your account. Read the authorization language, then check the box that requests removal of the Hardlock so Treasury knows your goal is to regain access. Robert Nguyen, locked out for weeks, checks the box stating he wants the Hardlock removed so he can log in again. If you are only activating a new account and were not hardlocked, follow the form’s prompt for that situation instead.
The edge case is a filer who is both new and flagged; if Treasury told you the account is hardlocked, check the hardlock box even on a new account. The common mistake is leaving this box unchecked while assuming Treasury will “just know” to unlock you, which leaves your account frozen because you never actually requested the removal. Many filers think mailing the form alone lifts the lock, but the checked authorization box is what tells Treasury to act, so skipping it means nothing changes.
7. Signature Line
This field is your signature, and it is the heart of the form. Do not sign it at your kitchen table. You must sign only while a certifying officer watches, because the whole point is that an authorized person witnesses your signature. Linda Foster waits until she is seated across from the bank officer, then signs Linda Foster in ink as the officer watches. Sign your full legal name to match the name field above.
The edge case is a physical limitation; if you cannot sign normally, ask the certifying officer how to handle a mark or assisted signature under their rules. The common mistake is signing the form at home before the appointment, which makes the certification invalid because the officer did not witness it, and Treasury will reject the form. Filers often believe a signature is a signature, but an uncertified or pre-signed signature is worthless here, and the entire form depends on the witnessed signing.
8. Certification by a Certifying Officer
This section is completed by the official who watches you sign, not by you. The certifying officer must verify your identity, witness your signature, and then stamp or seal the form and add their own signature and title. At her credit union, the officer stamps the credit union’s certification, signs, and dates the form for Linda Foster. Acceptable certifiers include officers at banks and credit unions, notaries public, and providers of a signature guarantee or Medallion stamp.
The edge case is which seal counts: a notary stamp, a signature guarantee, or a Medallion signature guarantee are accepted, and the rules even allow a notary per the form’s own instructions. The common mistake is using a plain bank address stamp instead of a real certification seal, which is not acceptable and forces a do-over. People wrongly believe any bank stamp will do, but only an authorized certification, notary seal, signature guarantee, or Medallion stamp satisfies Treasury, so the wrong stamp means your form fails.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three full walkthroughs that follow one person through the whole form. Each table shows what that filer enters in the main sections so you can copy the pattern for your own situation.
Scenario 1: Maria Unlocks a Hardlocked Personal Account
Maria Lopez bought I bonds two years ago and just got hardlocked after a login flag. She wants back in fast.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| TreasuryDirect Account Number | A-123-456-789 |
| Full Legal Name | Maria Elena Lopez |
| SSN | 987-65-4321 |
| Mailing Address | 55 Oak Street, Denver, CO 80203 |
| Daytime Phone | (303) 555-0182 |
| Email Address | maria.lopez@email.com |
| Remove Hardlock Box | Checked — requests Hardlock removal |
| Signature | Signed in front of bank officer |
| Certification | Bank officer stamps, signs, and dates |
Scenario 2: Thomas Activates a Family Trust Account
Thomas Reed is the trustee of the Reed Family Trust and needs to activate the trust’s TreasuryDirect account that the computer could not verify.
| Form Section | What Thomas Enters |
|---|---|
| TreasuryDirect Account Number | T-456-789-012 |
| Full Legal Name | Reed Family Trust, Thomas A. Reed, Trustee |
| Taxpayer ID (EIN) | 45-6789012 |
| Mailing Address | 900 Maple Ave, Austin, TX 78701 |
| Daytime Phone | (512) 555-0199 |
| Email Address | t.reed@email.com |
| Remove Hardlock Box | Left blank — new account activation, not locked |
| Signature | Thomas Reed signs as Trustee before a notary |
| Certification | Notary applies seal, signs, and dates |
Scenario 3: Janet Settles a Deceased Parent’s Estate Account
Janet Cole is the executor of her late father’s estate and must access his TreasuryDirect account to settle his savings bonds.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| TreasuryDirect Account Number | A-789-012-345 |
| Full Legal Name | Estate of Walter Cole, Janet Cole, Executor |
| Taxpayer ID (EIN) | 46-1234567 |
| Mailing Address | 18 Birch Lane, Columbus, OH 43215 |
| Daytime Phone | (614) 555-0166 |
| Email Address | janet.cole@email.com |
| Remove Hardlock Box | Checked — account was hardlocked at death flag |
| Signature | Janet Cole signs as Executor before a Medallion officer |
| Certification | Medallion signature guarantee stamp applied |
How to File the Completed Form
This form goes only by mail, so there is no online or fax option to consider. Once your signature is certified, mail the original signed form to the Treasury Retail Securities Services processing address printed on the form. The current address directs the form to Treasury’s processing center; mail it to Treasury Retail Securities Services, P.O. Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150, the address Treasury lists for these submissions. Always confirm the mailing address printed on your March 2026 copy before you send it, since Treasury can update it.
Here is how the single filing channel works in detail:
- Channel: U.S. mail only, with no portal, fax, or email accepted.
- Address: Treasury Retail Securities Services, P.O. Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150, as printed on the form.
- Fee: There is no filing fee charged by Treasury for this form.
- Payment methods: None needed, since the form itself costs nothing to file.
- Processing time: Plan for several weeks, and possibly up to 20 weeks during heavy periods.
- Proof of filing: Use certified mail or a tracked service and keep a full copy of the signed form for your records.
Because mail is the only path, protect the original. Send it with tracking so you can prove it arrived, and never mail your only copy without keeping a scan or photocopy first. If Treasury loses an untracked form, you have no proof you sent it and must start over.
What Happens After You File
After Treasury receives your form, it reviews the certification and matches your details against your account. Many filers get an email confirming receipt, and some report a note that processing may take up to 20 weeks during busy stretches. During this window, your account stays locked or pending, so you still cannot trade until the review clears. Patience here is normal, not a sign that something went wrong.
When Treasury approves the form, it activates the account or removes the hardlock, and you regain online access through the TreasuryDirect portal. You may receive a confirmation by email or mail telling you the account is open. At that point you can log in, buy and redeem securities, and manage your holdings as usual. Keep your copy of the form until you confirm access is fully restored.
If something is wrong, Treasury may contact you by phone or email, which is why accurate contact fields matter. A common reason for delay is a bad certification, a name mismatch, or a missing SSN, any of which forces a fresh submission. If weeks pass with no update, call Treasury’s customer service to check status rather than mailing a duplicate, since a duplicate can confuse the queue.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Small errors on this form carry big costs, because each one can restart a months-long wait. Watch for these specific mistakes:
- Signing the form at home. This invalidates the certification, and Treasury rejects the unwitnessed signature.
- Using a bank address stamp instead of a certification seal. It is not accepted, so the form bounces back.
- Leaving the SSN or taxpayer ID blank. Treasury cannot verify you, and processing stops.
- Entering the wrong account number. Treasury cannot match the form, and your request goes nowhere.
- Using a nickname instead of your legal name. A name mismatch triggers a manual hold.
- Forgetting to check the hardlock removal box. Your account stays frozen because you never requested the unlock.
- Mailing an old form revision. Treasury may reject a version that is out of date.
- Listing an outdated mailing address. You miss key Treasury letters and confirmations.
- Mailing the form without tracking. If it is lost, you cannot prove you sent it.
- Giving a dead phone or email. Treasury cannot reach you to fix a small issue and rejects the form instead.
- Using a personal SSN for an entity account. The EIN is required, and the wrong ID blocks the match.
- Sending a photocopy instead of the original signed form. Treasury needs the wet-ink certified original.
Do’s and Don’ts
Follow these habits to keep your form moving and avoid a restart.
Do’s
- Do download the current March 2026 version from treasurydirect.gov, because an old revision risks rejection.
- Do type your answers when possible, since clean text prevents a clerk from misreading you.
- Do bring photo ID to the certifier, because the officer must verify you before stamping.
- Do sign only in front of the certifying officer, because that witnessed signature is the entire point.
- Do use certified or tracked mail, so you can prove the form arrived.
- Do keep a full copy, because you will need it if Treasury loses the original.
Don’ts
- Don’t pre-sign at home, because it voids the certification.
- Don’t use a plain bank address stamp, because it is not an accepted seal.
- Don’t guess your account number, because a wrong number sends the form nowhere.
- Don’t leave the hardlock box unchecked if you are locked out, because Treasury will not unlock you.
- Don’t mail your only copy untracked, because a lost form means starting over.
- Don’t ignore a Treasury call or email, because it is usually your fastest path to a fix.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most people file FS Form 5444 themselves, but some bring in help, especially for trusts and estates. Weigh both paths.
Pros of Filing on Your Own
- It is free, since Treasury charges no fee and you skip professional costs.
- You control the timing, so you can act the moment you are locked out.
- The form is short, with only a handful of fields to complete.
- Free certification is often nearby, because many banks notarize for account holders at no charge.
- You learn your account, which helps you avoid the same lock again.
Cons of Filing on Your Own
- Mistakes restart the clock, and a bounced form can add months.
- Certification rules confuse filers, especially the difference between seals.
- Entity filings get complex, where a trustee or executor can misstate authority.
- No one double-checks your work, so a small typo can slip through.
- The long wait feels worse alone, with no professional to chase status for you.
Notary vs. Signature Guarantee vs. Medallion Signature Guarantee
The certification is where most forms fail, so know your three main options before you go.
| Certification Type | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Notary Public | Widely available at banks, shipping stores, and law offices; the form’s instructions accept a notary stamp or seal, and it is usually the easiest to obtain. |
| Signature Guarantee | Offered by banks and credit unions to verify your identity and signature; often free for account holders but not available at every branch. |
| Medallion Signature Guarantee | A higher-level guarantee from banks and brokerages used for securities transfers; harder to find and may require you to hold an account there, but strongly accepted. |
FAQs
Is FS Form 5444 the form to unlock a hardlocked TreasuryDirect account?
Yes. It is the official TreasuryDirect Account Authorization form, and checking its hardlock removal box is how you ask Treasury to lift the lock and restore your access.
Is there a fee to file FS Form 5444?
No. Treasury charges no filing fee for this form, though a notary or Medallion provider may charge a small certification fee depending on where you go.
Can I submit FS Form 5444 online or by fax?
No. This form is mail-only; you must print it, sign it before a certifying officer, and mail the original to Treasury Retail Securities Services in Minneapolis.
Do I have to sign the form in front of a certifying officer?
Yes. You must sign only while the certifying officer watches, because an unwitnessed or pre-signed signature makes the certification invalid and the form gets rejected.
Is a bank address stamp an acceptable certification?
No. A plain bank address stamp does not count; you need a real certification seal, a notary stamp, a signature guarantee, or a Medallion signature guarantee.
Do I write my legal name or a nickname in the name field?
Yes, use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your account and Social Security card, because a nickname creates a mismatch that holds up processing.
Do I enter my SSN or my entity’s EIN in the taxpayer ID field?
Yes, for a personal account use your SSN, but for a trust, estate, or business, enter that entity’s EIN instead so Treasury can match the right account.
Do I check the hardlock box if I am only opening a new account?
No, leave it unchecked if you were never locked, but check it if Treasury told you the account is hardlocked, even on a newer account.
Is a notary acceptable to certify this form?
Yes. The form’s own instructions accept a notary stamp or seal, which makes a notary one of the easiest ways to get your signature certified.
Can I use a P.O. Box in the mailing address field?
Yes, you can list a P.O. Box if that is where you receive mail, but enter it exactly and keep it consistent with the address on your account.
How long does Treasury take to process FS Form 5444?
Yes, it can take a while; plan for several weeks and possibly up to 20 weeks during busy periods, so file early and mail with tracking.
Do I need to send the original signed form, not a copy?
Yes. Treasury needs the original wet-ink certified form, so keep a photocopy for yourself but mail the signed original to the processing address.
Do I mail FS Form 5444 with tracking?
Yes, use certified or tracked mail so you can prove the form arrived, because Treasury cannot act on a form it never received and you would have no proof.
Is FS Form 5444 the same as FS Form 5446?
No. FS Form 5444 authorizes and activates your account, while FS Form 5446 is the TreasuryDirect Offline Transaction Request used for certain account transactions instead.
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