After your Legal Name Change do you lose your savings bonds?

[Raye]

So this year by March 2017 I'll have my legal name change done. My question is would I lose the chance to turn in my Savings bonds 20 years down the road upon final accrual date. Or with the name change would I lose all ownership over my savings bonds? Has anyone been reissued a new SSN after their Legal/Gender Marker Changes?

[Michelle_P]

So this year by March 2017 I'll have my legal name change done. My question is would I lose the chance to turn in my Savings bonds 20 years down the road upon final accrual date. Or with the name change would I lose all ownership over my savings bonds? Has anyone been reissued a new SSN after their Legal/Gender Marker Changes?

You won't lose your bonds.

When you change your name and gender marker, you'll get to spend an exciting day at the Social Security Office.  Fill out an SS-5 form :

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf

You'll be applying for a name change, and to get them to update the secret gender marker in the Numident  (SS-speak for your file).  You will keep the same SS number.

https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/2856/How-do-160-I-change-my-160-gender-on-160-Social-Security-s-records

Bring your current ID and the court order for the name and gender change.  The full set of documents they'll accept and want is at that link.

When you go to cash out or electronically deposit the bonds at TreasuryDirect, you'll need the old documents like your court order to get Treasury to accept that new you is entitled to old you's bonds.  It's just another alias to them, and there won't be a problem.


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[Raye]

Meh I doubt the Gender Marker would be changed any time soon, but that's some really nice info! Thanks Michelle! ^^ -hugs-

[Michelle_P]

Meh I doubt the Gender Marker would be changed any time soon, but that's some really nice info! Thanks Michelle! ^^ -hugs-

It's easier than you think to qualify for getting the gender marker changed.  They went a court order OR a certified letter (i.e., signed in ink on the doctors letterhead) from a licensed physician saying:

(Physician's Address and Telephone Number)
I, (physician's full name), (physician's medical license or certificate number), (issuing U.S. State/Foreign Country of medical license/certificate), am the physician of (name of patient), with whom I have a doctor/patient relationship and whom I have treated (or with whom I have a doctor/patient relationship and whose medical history I have reviewed and evaluated).
(Name of patient) has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender (specify new gender, male or female).
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the forgoing is true and correct.
Signature of Physician
Typed Name of Physician
Date

"Appropriate clinical treatment" gives some wiggle room.  Generally, being on HRT is sufficient, and no surgeries are required.  I know a lucky few who have had their getting therapy defines as "appropriate clinical treatment".  Ask your endocrinologist for a letter.

In some states like California, if you do the name and gender change at the same time, the state seals the old records, and a court order would be required to get to your deadname drivers license or birth certificate.  There's no clue on the new license or birth certificate that you were ever any other gender or name!


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