Resources

Bearer & Registered Bonds

Bond/Coupon Payments (Bearer Bonds and Registered Bonds)

California State* bearer bonds and registered bonds can be presented for payment through the State Treasurer’s Office or The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (BNY).  BNY provides fiscal agent services associated with certain State of California general obligation bonds and revenue bonds.  See instructions below on how to present bearer and registered bonds and/or interest coupons.


State of California Bearer Bonds and Registered Bonds

Before 1982, bonds were issued as bearer bonds or registered bonds.

Bonds and coupons are payable on or after their respective due dates.  Sometimes bonds are called for redemption and are due on a date prior to their maturity date (a call date).  After a bond has been called, it no longer accrues interest from and after its call date. A bond can be presented for payment after the call date and any coupon for that bond dated after the call date is no longer valid.  To check if your bond has been called, contact the State Treasurer’s Office via phone at 1(800)900-3873 or email at CalBONDS@treasurer.ca.gov.


Bonds/Coupons with Payment Date before January 1, 2007:

Bonds and coupons with payment dates before January 1, 2007, are serviced by the State Treasurer’s Office.  For instructions on how to obtain payment for a bond and/or coupon, contact the State Treasurer’s Office via phone at 1(800)900-3873 or email at CalBONDS@treasurer.ca.gov. The State Treasurer’s Office will provide instructions on how to mail in bonds and/or coupons for presentation or schedule an appointment to present bonds and/or coupons.

Bondholders presenting bonds and coupons for payment to the State Treasurer’s Office must include:

  • IRS Form W-9 for the Payee;
  • A signed letter of instruction**; and
  • Original bonds and/or coupons***

If submitting by mail it is suggested bondholders acquire mailing insurance and send the requisite documents to the following address. The State Treasurer’s Office is not responsible for bonds and/or coupons lost in the mail.

California State Treasurer’s Office
Public Finance Division   
Bondholder Redemption Payment Request
P.O. Box 942809
Sacramento, CA 94209-0001

Bondholders presenting bonds and/or coupons for payment by appointment must bring the original bonds and/or coupons to the appointment. An IRS Form W-9 will be provided for completion during the appointment.


Bonds/Coupons with Payment Date on or after January 1, 2007:

Bonds and coupons with payment dates on or after January 1, 2007, are serviced by BNY. To obtain payment for a bond and/or coupon, contact the BNY Bondholder Relations Department via telephone at 1-800-254-2826 or via email to corporate.bond.research@bnymellon.com for instructions on how to mail in bonds and/or coupons. BNY provides mail-in service only and information should be sent to the following address. It is suggested bondholders acquire mailing insurance. BNY is not responsible for bonds and/or coupons lost in the mail.

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations 
PO Box 2320
Dallas, TX 75221

Bondholders presenting bonds and coupons for payment to BNY must include:

  • IRS Form W-9 for the Payee;
  • A signed letter of instruction**; and
  • Original bonds and coupons***


* Cities, counties, and other municipal issuers across California also sell bonds. Often the bonds for such issuers will state the entity is located in “The State of California.”  This does not mean the bond is payable from funds of the State of California or by the State Treasurer’s Office. To determine whether you have a bond payable from funds of the State of California, email a copy of your bond to CalBONDS@treasurer.ca.gov, and please be sure to include all pertinent contact information:  Name, address, phone number, and email address.

  • Please allow at least one business day for a response.

**The signed letter of instruction should include:

  • The bondholder’s stated intent to present the bond for payment
  • The bondholder’s contact information including name, address, phone number, and e-mail address

***Only original bonds and coupons are accepted for presentation.  If a bond is lost or stolen, contact the State Treasurer’s Office via phone at 1(800)900-3873 or email at CalBONDS@treasurer.ca.gov for bonds with a payment date prior to January 1, 2007, or contact BNY via email at corporate.bond.research@bnymellon.com for bonds with a payment date on or after January 1, 2007.