[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 31, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 31CFR248.4]

[Page 92]
 
                  TITLE 31--MONEY AND FINANCE: TREASURY
 
         CHAPTER II--FISCAL SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 248--ISSUE OF SUBSTITUTES OF LOST, STOLEN, DESTROYED, MUTILATED AND DEFACED CHECKS OF THE UNITED STATES DRAWN ON ACCOUNTS MAINTAINED IN DEPOSITARY BANKS IN 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES OR UNITED STATES TERRITORIES OR POSSESSIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 248.4  Undertaking of indemnity.

    (a) If the check is found to be outstanding and unpaid and it 
appears that the proceeds are due the claimant, the disbursing officer 
will request the claimant to execute an undertaking of indemnity, Form 
2244, in a penal sum equal to the amount of the check (or checks).
    (b) Except in the circumstances set forth below, a corporate surety 
authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury to act as an acceptable 
surety on bonds in favor of the United States or two responsible 
individual sureties will be required on the undertaking of indemnity. It 
will be the responsibility of the claimant in a foreign country to 
secure a certification as to the financial sufficiency of the individual 
sureties executed by one of the persons listed in, and in the manner 
prescribed by, the instruction appearing under the Certificate as to 
Sureties on the face of Form 2244.
    (c) Where the amount of the original check (or checks) is $200 or 
less, or the equivalent in foreign currency, one financially responsible 
individual surety may be accepted.
    (d) Unless it is determined that the requirement of sureties is 
essential in the public interest, sureties will not be required under 
the following circumstances:
    (1) If the officer authorized to issue a substitute check is 
satisfied that the loss, theft, destruction, mutilation or defacement of 
the original check occurred without fault of the owner or holder and 
while the check was in the custody or control of the United States or of 
a person duly authorized as an agent of the United States when 
performing services in connection with an official function of the 
United States;
    (2) If substantially the entire check is presented and surrendered 
by the owner or holder and the disbursing officer is satisfied as to the 
identity of the check presented and that any missing portions are not 
sufficient to form the basis of a valid claim against the United States;
    (3) If the owner or holder is the United States or an officer or 
employee thereof in his official capacity, a State, the District of 
Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States, a municipal 
corporation or political subdivision of any of the foregoing, a 
corporation the entire capital of which is owned by the United States, a 
foreign government or agency thereof, a foreign central bank, or a 
Federal Reserve Bank.