U.S. Treasury and Savings Bonds

General information regarding U.S. Savings Bonds can be found at the Treasury Direct website, which also has includes a Savings Bonds calculator. 

Redeeming bonds from abroad
U.S. Savings Bonds cannot be presented for immediate payment while the owner is abroad. To redeem U.S. Department of Treasury Series EE or E Savings Bonds via mail while outside the United States, the payee's signature must first be acknowledged. The bondholder must execute Form PD-1522: Request for Payment of U.S. Savings and Retirement Securities in the presence of a qualified witnessing official, then forward the completed PD-1522 along with the bonds by registered mail to the U.S. Treasury for payment.

Options for Executing Form PD-1522
Official photographic identification with signature is required when executing Form PD-1522. U.S. citizens must present a current U.S. passport as their identity document.

1. Sign the document in the presence of a U.S. Consular Officer by following the notarization procedures at the U.S. Consulate General serving your area;
2. Sign the document in the presence of an officer of a foreign bank or trust company incorporated in the United States, whose signature is attested by an imprint of the corporate seal or is certified to the Department of Treasury. A list of American financial institutions represented in Australia is available;
3. Sign the document in the presence of an Australian Public Notary, and forward the document to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for an Apostille so the document can be used in the United States;
4. If unable to follow one of the above options, the savings bonds may be signed in the presence of an officer of a local foreign bank who should complete the certification section and impress the bank's corporate seal. Certified copies by the issuing authority of the photo ID and relevant documents must accompany bonds mailed to the U.S. for redemption.

Please note that if the name on the identity document differs from that on the bond, bondholders must present evidence of a name change, such as a marriage certificate. Non owners/co-owners wishing to redeem bonds must establish entitlement to cash the bonds (eg: An original death certificate if cashing bonds on behalf of a deceased relative). Parents signing on behalf of a minor child must submit the child's original birth certificate, as well as their own photo identification.

Tax information
U.S. citizens should prepare a signed statement to be sent to the United States with the bonds. This statement should include your passport number, date and place of birth, country of residence, and the name and address of the authority to which taxes are paid.

Citizen of countries with a U.S. tax treaty (such as Australia) should complete and submit IRS Form W-8 BEN: Certificate of Foreign Status to claim exemption from the U.S. tax on the bonds' interest.