Lost a stock certificate, bond, or note? We’ll make it right.
When an original stock certificate, bond, promissory note, or other financial instrument is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the issuer or transfer agent will require a lost instrument surety bond before replacing it. We issue lost instrument bonds quickly, with plain-English guidance from the first call to the replacement certificate.
- Serving clients since 1949
- Plain-English guidance
- A-rated carrier partners
What a lost instrument bond actually does
A lost instrument bond (often called a lost securities bond) protects the issuer, its transfer agent, and any future holder if the original instrument ever resurfaces in someone else’s hands. It lets the issuer safely cancel the lost original and issue a replacement — because the surety guarantees they won’t be harmed by doing so.
The bond amount is typically a multiple of the instrument’s value, set by the transfer agent’s replacement procedures.
- Required by issuers and transfer agents before replacing lost securities
- Covers stock certificates, bonds, promissory notes, deeds of trust, and cashier’s checks
- Backed by A-rated carrier partners
Fast turnaround
Most lost instrument bonds are quoted the same business day once the application details are in.
One application, everything included
Our online application collects both the carrier application and the sworn Affidavit of Loss details in a single pass.
Coverage for every kind of lost instrument
Lost Stock Certificate Bonds
For missing or destroyed share certificates — required by the transfer agent before shares are reissued.
Lost Bond & Debenture Bonds
For lost corporate or municipal bonds and debentures, including registered and bearer instruments.
Lost Promissory Note Bonds
For lost notes and loan instruments, including notes tied to real estate transactions.
Lost Deed of Trust Bonds
When a recorded deed of trust or mortgage note can’t be produced for release, transfer, or payoff.
Lost Cashier’s Check Bonds
Banks require a bond before reissuing or releasing funds on a lost official or cashier’s check.
Other Lost Instruments
Life insurance policies, CDs, and other registered instruments — if an issuer requires a bond, we can write it.
Four steps to your replacement
Apply online
Tell us about the instrument, how it was lost, and yourself — about six minutes, with save & resume anytime.
We underwrite
An agent reviews the details, confirms the required bond amount with the transfer agent’s procedures, and secures your quote.
Bond is issued
Sign the application and the notarized Affidavit of Loss, pay the premium, and we deliver the bond.
Replacement issued
Send the bond package to the issuer or transfer agent; they cancel the lost original and issue your replacement.
Lost instrument bond FAQs
Premiums are a small percentage of the bond amount and depend on the instrument’s value and your profile. Many personal lost instrument bonds cost a few hundred dollars — you’ll receive an exact quote before anything is binding.
The issuer or transfer agent sets it — usually one to two times the current market value of the instrument, per their replacement procedures. If you’re unsure, we’ll help you confirm the required amount.
A sworn statement describing the instrument, how it was lost, and the search you made for it. Our application gathers everything the affidavit requires; you’ll sign it before a notary, and a BF Bond agent will walk you through that step.
You must surrender it to the issuer for cancellation. The bond remains in force to protect the issuer — which is why the application asks about endorsements and negotiability up front.
No — a lost or defective vehicle title goes through our Title Bonds program with the DMV. This application is for financial instruments such as stock certificates, bonds, notes, and cashier’s checks.
Looking for a different bond?
Explore court bonds, vehicle title bonds, fidelity & crime coverage, or license & permit bonds — or call us and we’ll point you the right way.
Let’s get your replacement moving.
Start the application now — about six minutes, save and resume anytime — and an agent will follow up the same business day.
