If you have lost NS&I certificates, holder numbers or letters, first decide whether you can still identify the investment. For a known holding, recover online access or ask NS&I for a replacement record. Use tracing when key details are unknown.
Lost NS&I papers do not mean your savings have gone. If you can identify the holding, use your online account or ask NS&I for a replacement record. If key details are unknown, use NS&I’s free Tracing Service.
Choose the right NS&I route first
Choose the route that matches what you can still identify. This can stop you sending a trace that NS&I cannot match quickly. An NS&I holder’s number identifies a Premium Bonds holding. An NS&I account number identifies an online account.
Pick one route before contacting NS&I
I know the account
Recover online access or reset security details.
I know the investment
Ask NS&I which replacement record is available.
I know very little
Submit an NS&I Tracing Service request with all clues.
Recover an account you can identify
Start by separating an NS&I account recovery problem from a records problem. If you know the account number or can pass online checks, restore NS&I online access. Do this rather than opening a trace.
Request a record for a known holding
If you know the product but cannot access the account, ask for a replacement record enquiry. Give the product name and any reference. Include the rough purchase period and current and former addresses.
NS&I replacement records may differ from the original paper document.
Use tracing only when facts are missing
When Premium Bonds details are lost, ask NS&I about the account if you can identify the holder. If you cannot give a holder’s number, product reference, or reliable history, use NS&I Tracing Service.
Give NS&I details that help find your holding
Gather names, old addresses, dates, and every scrap of NS&I paperwork before you submit a request.
List names and addresses in full
Include former names and two to five likely previous addresses. Add postcodes where you know them.
Keep partial evidence and copies
Keep copies of every form, letter, and reference number.
| What you still have | Best first route | Give NS&I these details | Do not assume |
|---|
| NS&I account number | Online access recovery | Name, date of birth, current address | A tracing request is needed |
| Premium Bonds holder’s number | Account enquiry or online access | Holder’s number, former addresses | It is a bond number |
| Old certificate or statement | Replacement record enquiry | Product, issue date, numbers shown | It proves current value |
| Only a name and old address | NS&I Tracing Service | All names, addresses and dates | One address is enough |
Expect identity and record checks before NS&I gives an answer or replacement document. A clear account number, holder’s number, or readable Premium Bonds certificate is often easier to match.
Requests involving former names, several addresses, old National Savings certificates, or missing NS&I security details can need follow-up questions. They can also require proof of identity. Reply quickly if NS&I asks for more evidence.
Do not expect a fixed response time. The time depends on what NS&I must check.
Verify old certificates before valuing them
Ask NS&I to identify and verify an old certificate before you cash it, transfer it, or estimate its value.
Check what the document actually is
Physical paper does not prove that the investment is open, unpaid, or owned by the person presenting it.
Check Premium Bonds with NS&I
For Premium Bonds, ask NS&I to confirm the holding and its status before taking any action.
Prepare authority for another person
This guidance does not replace the estate-claim process after a death. It does not cover disputed investments. It also does not cover documents held by banks, investment platforms, or HMRC.
Do not rely on old paperwork alone when dealing with another person’s investment. An executor may handle an estate. An attorney may act under a registered Power of Attorney.
Tell NS&I why you are contacting NS&I. Be ready to give proof that you can act. Also give the holder’s known details.
These details can include the deceased person’s full name and date of birth. Give former addresses too. Include any lost savings documents or references found in their papers.
NS&I may use a separate estate or third-party process. This may happen when it must check ownership, payment history, or entitlement.
Questions & answers
How do I replace a lost NS&I certificate?
Contact NS&I with the product name and any number shown on the document. Ask which replacement record is available. If you cannot identify the product or number, use the free Tracing Service. Give former names and addresses.
How do I find out if I have Premium Bonds?
Use online account recovery if you know your holder’s number or account details. If you have no usable details, ask NS&I to trace the holding. Give your full name, date of birth, and old addresses.
Are 50-year-old Premium Bonds still valid?
NS&I must confirm whether 50-year-old bonds are still held before their status or prize eligibility can be established. A certificate alone cannot show whether bonds were encashed, transferred, or included in an estate claim.
Can I find my National Savings holder’s number?
You may recover it through your NS&I online account if identity checks succeed. A holder’s number relates to Premium Bonds. It differs from a Savings Certificate reference.
Are old National Savings certificates worth money?
Old certificates may have value, but NS&I must confirm ownership, product status, and payment history first. Maturity and past repayment can change what remains payable, if anything.
What if I have no NS&I account details at all?
Use NS&I Tracing Service when you do not know the product, account number, or holder’s number. Include every old name, address, rough purchase date, and partial document you can find.
Write down the route chosen, the details supplied, and every NS&I reference number before you finish. This gives you a clear trail if NS&I asks for more evidence.
The essentials:- Recover online access when you know the account but cannot sign in.
- Ask about a replacement record when the investment is already identifiable.
- Use the NS&I Tracing Service only when key facts about the holding are missing.
- Give former names and addresses, not just today’s details.
- Verify any old certificate with NS&I before treating it as a current asset.
