Cash EE or I savings bonds

This page is only about Series EE and I savings bonds. For other bonds:

For these special situations, you want a different page.

You can get your cash for an EE or I savings bond any time after you have owned it for 1 year.

However, the longer you hold the bond, the more it earns for you (for up to 30 years for an EE or I bond).

Also, if you cash in the bond in less than 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest.

Electronic EE or I savings bonds

Check under Current Holdings.

If you cash only part of what a bond is worth, you must leave at least $25 in your account.

If you cash only part of what a bond is worth, you get the interest only on the part you cash.

Go to your TreasuryDirect account.
Go to ManageDirect.
Use the link for cashing securities.

The 1099-INT that you need for your tax return will be available in your TreasuryDirect account in January of the year after you cash in the bond.

Paper EE or I savings bonds

Note: Do not buy savings bonds from someone else or in an online auction site. You cannot cash them. You can only cash bonds that you own or co-own unless you have legal evidence or other documentation that we accept to show you are entitled to cash the bond.

How do I know how much my bond is worth?	Use our Savings Bond Calculator.
How much can I cash at one time?	Note: You cannot cash part of a paper savings bond. A paper savings bond must be cashed for its entire value.

At a bank: Banks vary in how much they will cash at one time – or if they cash savings bonds at all.

With us: We have no limit on the value or number of savings bonds you can cash at one time as long as the bonds meet the requirements for cashing.

Cashing your (adult's) bonds in the United States

At a bank where you have a bank account: Contact them. Ask:

Will they cash your savings bonds
How much will they cash at one time
What identification or other documents do you need

Get FS Form 1522.
Fill it out.
Get your signature certified, if necessary. (If the value of the bond(s) you are cashing is more than $1,000, you must have your signature certified. See FS Form 1522 for more about the signature requirements.)
Send the form and the bonds to us at the address on FS Form 1522.

With us: If we cash your paper savings bond, we mail you the 1099-INT the following January.

Otherwise, check with your bank. They may be able to tell you.

If they can't tell you and you are the owner or co-owner of the bond, write to us.

Do NOT send the actual bonds.