Updated November 8, 2026. Quick answer: FS Form 2513 lets a relative or other proper person act as ‘voluntary guardian’ for the savings bonds or savings notes of a mentally incapacitated owner when no court guardian has been or is to be appointed. Payment can be requested only if the redemption value of all the owner’s bonds plus notes does not exceed $20,000, and the proceeds must be used for the owner’s benefit and support. Proof of incompetency is required. The form is dated August 2022 (OMB No. 1530-0031) and goes to Treasury Retail Securities Services, PO Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150.
What FS Form 2513 does
Treasury’s use statement covers transactions involving United States Savings Bonds or Savings Notes owned by a mentally incapacitated person for whose estate no legal guardian or similar representative has been or is to be appointed or is otherwise qualified. The purposes are:
- payment, when the owner’s total bonds and notes do not exceed $20,000 and the proceeds will be used for the owner’s benefit and support
- reinvestment of matured Series E bonds
- payment of interest due on any Series H or Series HH bond registered in the owner’s name
- electronic substitute bonds for bonds lost, stolen or destroyed, with FS Form 1048
- authority to receive confidential information on the owner’s bonds
Who may apply: “Any relative who is actually supporting or otherwise looking after the affairs of the incapacitated person may apply or, if none, anyone who is a proper person to represent the incapacitated person’s interests may apply.”
The $20,000 ceiling
In Item 3 the applicant certifies, to request payment, “the redemption value of ALL savings bonds plus the redemption value of ALL savings notes belonging to the incompetent at the time of this application does not exceed $20,000.”
The instructions say what happens above that: “If the total redemption value exceeds $20,000, this form must not be used to request payment; instead, a legal representative must be appointed for the incapacitated person by the court having jurisdiction.” The redemption value is figured “as of the date the request is received by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service”. A court-appointed representative is the subject of guardianship and conservatorship; the choice between that and a power of attorney is at guardianship versus power of attorney.
Proof of incompetency
“If a court has declared the bond or note owner legally incompetent to manage his or her affairs, you must furnish a copy of the court order, certified under seal of the court. If no such determination has been made, a statement must be furnished from the incapacitated person’s attending physician, on the physician’s professional stationery, describing briefly the bond or note owner’s condition and indicating whether or not he or she is mentally competent to engage in business transactions.”
If the owner is a patient in a government-operated institution that charges for care, a statement consenting to the request is required from the agency’s authorized official, but only for a payment request. When others are also contributing to the owner’s care and support, their consents must be secured if payment is being requested.
What the applicant promises
“hereby acknowledge and agree that the proceeds will be used for the benefit and support of the incapacitated person.” The applicant also agrees to hold the United States harmless against other claimants, and for interest on Series H or HH bonds agrees to “notify the Fiscal Service if the incapacitated person dies or is restored to competency, or if a legal guardian or similar representative of the incapacitated person’s estate is appointed or otherwise legally qualified.”
The owner’s other holdings must be disclosed when payment is requested: “Does the incapacitated person own any savings bonds or savings notes in addition to those described on this form?”
Certification and mailing
The applicant signs in the presence of a certifying officer. The form states that notary certification is not acceptable, and names acceptable stamps as “Financial institution’s official seal or stamp (such as corporate seal, signature guaranteed stamp, or medallion stamp).” See refused Medallion guarantees.
“Send the application and any supporting evidence to Treasury Retail Securities Services, PO Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150. If payment or reinvestment is requested, the bonds or notes must be submitted with the application.”
The form states no processing time, only “We estimate it will take you about 20 minutes to complete this form.” This revision dates from August 2022, so check treasurydirect.gov/forms for a current version before relying on a downloaded copy.
Common mistakes
- Using the form for an owner whose bonds and notes together exceed $20,000 in redemption value. A court-appointed representative is required.
- Using it when a guardian has been or is to be appointed. The form is for estates with no court guardian.
- Sending no proof of incompetency: either a certified court order or a physician’s statement on professional stationery.
- Going to a notary for the signature. This form does not accept notary certification.
- Treating the proceeds as the applicant’s. They must be used for the benefit and support of the incapacitated owner.
Related: guardianship and conservatorship, guardianship versus power of attorney, and FS Form 1048.
Sources
- FS Form 2513 (Revised August 2022), Application by Voluntary Guardian of Incapacitated Owner of United States Savings Bonds or Savings Notes: treasurydirect.gov PDF
- TreasuryDirect, Forms for Savings Bonds (current list of forms): treasurydirect.gov page
Source: the Fiscal Service form and forms list linked above, read on November 8, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, an attorney or a tax preparer is the right place to confirm anything consequential.