How to confirm your certificate of deposit

To confirm a personal certificate of deposit, contact the bank or credit union that issued it directly using the phone number on the CD itself or from their official website. Ask them to verify the account number, the deposit amount, the interest rate, and the maturity date. They will also tell you whether the CD is still active, whether it has matured, and what happens next if it has. Do not use contact information from a document someone else gave you — always look up the institution's number yourself.

If you have lost the original CD document or cannot remember which institution holds it, you can search the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) database if it was issued by a credit union, or contact banks where you have had accounts. The FDIC does not maintain a searchable registry of CDs, but your bank's customer service can pull up any account in their system using your Social Security number and name.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the bank or credit union directly using the number on your CD document or their official website to verify the account exists and is active.
  • Have your account number, Social Security number, and the CD's maturity date ready when you call, as the institution will need these to locate your account.
  • Ask the bank to confirm the deposit amount, interest rate, maturity date, and whether the CD has already matured or is still earning interest.
  • If you cannot locate the original CD document, contact banks where you have had accounts, or search the NCUA database for credit union CDs.
  • Never use contact information from a third party — always look up the institution's official phone number yourself to avoid fraud.

What information you will need to provide

When you call the bank or credit union, have your account number ready. If you do not have it, your Social Security number and full name will work, though the process may take longer. The institution will also ask for the approximate date you opened the CD or the maturity date if you know it.

If you are calling on behalf of someone else — a family member or an estate — be prepared to explain your relationship and provide documentation. Banks have strict rules about who can access account information, and they may require a power of attorney, a death certificate, or a court order before they will discuss the account with you.

What the bank will tell you

The bank will confirm whether the CD exists in their system and whether it is still active. They will give you the exact deposit amount, the annual percentage yield (APY) or interest rate, and the maturity date. They will also tell you the current balance, which includes any interest earned to date.

If the CD has already matured, the bank will explain what happened to the money. Some institutions automatically roll the funds into a new CD at the current rate. Others move the money to a savings or checking account. A few require you to contact them to decide what to do. Ask which scenario applies to your account and when the maturity occurred.

How to find a lost CD from an institution you no longer remember

If you opened a CD years ago and cannot recall which bank holds it, start by checking any old statements, tax documents, or 1099-INT forms you received. The 1099-INT will show the name of the institution that issued it and the interest you earned that year. The IRS keeps copies of filed returns, so you can also request a transcript from your tax year if you filed.

If you had the CD at a credit union, search the NCUA's institution directory on their website by state and city. You can then call each credit union to ask whether an account under your name exists. For banks, contact any financial institutions where you have had checking or savings accounts — many people open CDs with their primary bank.

If you believe the CD was issued by a bank that no longer exists, search the FDIC's failed bank list on their website. The FDIC will tell you which institution took over the failed bank's accounts, and you can contact that successor bank to locate your CD.

What to do if the CD has matured

Once a CD matures, the bank stops paying interest on it. The money sits in the account, usually in a non-interest-bearing holding status, until you tell the bank what to do. You have three main options: withdraw the money, roll it into a new CD, or move it to a savings account.

If you want to withdraw the money, the bank will send it to you by check or transfer it to a linked account. If you want to open a new CD, the bank will quote you the current rate — which may be higher or lower than your old rate — and ask how long you want to lock the money up. If you do nothing, some banks will automatically roll your CD into a new one at the current rate, while others will leave it in the holding account. Ask the bank which policy applies to yours.

Protecting yourself from CD scams

Scammers sometimes pose as banks or offer fake CDs that promise unusually high returns. Never give your Social Security number, account number, or banking information to someone who calls you first. If someone claims you have a CD you do not remember, hang up and call the bank directly using the number on your statement or their official website.

Be wary of CDs offered through email, text, or social media, or CDs that promise returns much higher than what major banks are currently offering. Legitimate CDs are issued only by banks, credit unions, and brokerage firms, and the FDIC insures them up to $250,000 per depositor per institution. If you are unsure whether a CD is real, contact the bank directly before sending any money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I confirm a CD over the phone without going to the bank in person?

Yes. Call the bank or credit union using the number on your CD document or from their official website. Have your account number and Social Security number ready. The bank will verify the account and provide all the details over the phone. Some banks also allow you to check your CD status through their online banking portal if you have login access.

What if the bank says they have no record of my CD?

Ask the bank to search by your Social Security number and the approximate year you opened it. If they still find nothing, the CD may have been issued by a different institution, or the account may have been closed years ago. Check old tax forms or statements to confirm the bank name. If the bank truly has no record, contact the FDIC or NCUA to report it and ask for guidance.

Do I need the original CD document to confirm it?

No. The bank can pull up your account using your name and Social Security number. The original document is helpful because it has the account number and maturity date, which speeds up the process, but it is not required. If you have lost it, the bank can print a new statement for you.

Will confirming my CD affect the interest I earn?

No. Calling the bank to verify your CD does not change the account, pause the interest, or trigger any fees. You are simply asking the bank to show you information about an account you own.

What if my CD is at a bank that was bought by another bank?

Your CD moved to the acquiring bank automatically when the merger happened. Call the new bank using their current phone number and provide your account number or Social Security number. They will have access to all your account history and can confirm the CD details. The terms of your original CD remain the same unless you choose to change them after maturity.