How to Cash a Bond at Your Bank

You can cash most bonds at your bank, but the process depends on the bond type and whether the bank issued it

If you own a savings bond, Treasury bond, or corporate bond, your bank can help you cash it — but not all banks handle all bond types the same way. Savings bonds (Series EE, Series I, and older Series HH bonds) must go through the U.S. Department of the Treasury or a bank that processes Treasury bonds on your behalf. Treasury bonds and notes can be cashed at most banks that offer brokerage services. Corporate bonds and municipal bonds typically require a brokerage account or a call to the issuing company.

The fastest route is to call your bank first and ask whether they handle the specific bond you own. If they do, you'll need the bond certificate or documentation, a valid ID, and sometimes a signature may provide. If they don't, they can usually direct you to a bank or service that does.

Key Takeaways

Savings bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury must be redeemed through the Treasury's website, a bank that processes Treasury bonds, or by mail — not all banks cash them in person.
Treasury bonds and notes can be cashed at banks with brokerage departments, but you may need a brokerage account or to work through a broker.
Corporate and municipal bonds require either a brokerage account or a direct call to the company that issued the bond.
Bring your bond certificate, a government-issued ID, and be prepared to provide your Social Security number and banking details for deposit.

Cashing savings bonds at your bank

Savings bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury (Series EE and Series I) cannot be cashed directly at most bank tellers. Instead, you have three routes: redeem them online through TreasuryDirect.gov if you own the bond electronically, mail the physical bond certificate to the Treasury, or take it to a bank that offers Treasury bond services.

Not every bank processes savings bonds. Call ahead and ask whether your bank's branch handles Treasury bond redemptions. If it does, bring your bond certificate, a government-issued ID (driver's license or passport), and your Social Security number. The bank will verify the bond's authenticity, confirm you are the registered owner, and process the redemption. The funds are typically deposited into your account within one to two weeks.

If your bank does not process savings bonds, you can mail the bond directly to the Treasury. Fill out Form PD 1239 (available on the Treasury website), include a copy of your ID, and mail both to the address listed on the form. Processing takes four to six weeks by mail.

Cashing Treasury bonds and notes at your bank

Treasury bonds and notes (not savings bonds) are traded on the secondary market and can be cashed at banks with brokerage or investment services. Call your bank and ask whether they have a brokerage department that handles Treasury securities.

If your bank offers this service, you will need either an existing brokerage account with them or the ability to open one. Bring your bond certificate or documentation showing you own the bond. The bank will sell the bond on the secondary market at the current market price — which may be higher or lower than the face value, depending on interest rates and how much time remains until maturity.

If your bank does not have a brokerage department, ask them to refer you to a broker or investment firm that does. You can also contact a full-service brokerage like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard directly; they will walk you through opening an account and depositing the bond for sale.

Cashing corporate and municipal bonds

Corporate bonds and municipal bonds are not issued by the government and are handled differently. If you own a corporate bond, your first step is to check whether you have it in a brokerage account already. If you do, you can sell it through that account's trading platform or by calling your broker.

If you hold a physical bond certificate, call the company that issued it and ask how to redeem it. Some companies have a redemption department that handles this directly. Others will direct you to a transfer agent — a third party that manages bond transactions on their behalf. You will need to provide proof of ownership (the certificate itself) and your identity.

Municipal bonds follow the same process: contact the issuer or the transfer agent listed on your bond documentation. If you prefer not to contact the issuer directly, you can take the bond to a bank with a brokerage department or a full-service broker, who can sell it on the secondary market.

What to bring when you go to the bank

Have these documents ready before you visit or call:

The bond certificate itself, or documentation proving you own the bond (account statement, confirmation letter, or registration papers).
A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID).
Your Social Security number.
The account number or routing number where you want the funds deposited.
If the bond is registered to someone else or held in a trust, documentation showing your authority to redeem it (power of attorney, trust document, or death certificate if you are the heir).

Some banks may also request a signature may provide, which is a verification that your signature is genuine. This is more common with larger bond amounts or bonds held in trust. A signature may provide is different from a notarization and must come from a bank, credit union, or brokerage — not a notary public.

How long it takes to receive your money

The timeline depends on the bond type and how you redeem it. If you cash a savings bond in person at a bank that processes them, funds typically appear in your account within one to two weeks. If you redeem a savings bond by mail, allow four to six weeks. If you redeem a savings bond through TreasuryDirect online, the funds are usually available within one business day.

For Treasury bonds and notes sold through a brokerage, the sale settles in one business day, but the funds may take an additional one to three business days to reach your bank account, depending on your bank's processing time.

Corporate and municipal bonds sold through a broker settle in one to three business days. If you redeem a corporate bond directly with the issuer, ask them for a timeline — it varies widely depending on the company.

What happens if you cannot find the bond certificate

If you own a bond but no longer have the physical certificate, you still have options. For savings bonds, log into TreasuryDirect.gov with your Social Security number and check whether the bond is registered there electronically. If it is, you can redeem it online without the certificate.

If the bond is not in TreasuryDirect and you have lost the certificate, contact the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 844-284-2676. They can search their records by your name and Social Security number. If they find it, they can issue a replacement certificate or help you redeem it.

For Treasury bonds, corporate bonds, or municipal bonds, contact your bank or broker and explain that you have lost the certificate. They can often look up the bond in their system using your name, Social Security number, and the approximate date you purchased it. If the bond is registered in your name with the issuer, they may be able to process the redemption without the physical certificate, though they may charge a fee for a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a bond at any bank branch, or does it have to be my bank?

You can cash a bond at any bank that offers the service, not just your own bank. However, most banks only process bonds for their own customers. Call ahead to confirm the bank handles your bond type and whether you need to be a customer. If you are not a customer, they may refer you to a broker or investment firm instead.

What if the bond is in someone else's name?

If the bond is registered to another person, you cannot redeem it without their permission or legal authority. If you are the executor of an estate, bring the death certificate and a copy of the will. If you have power of attorney, bring the power of attorney document. If the bond is held in a trust, bring the trust document and proof that you are the trustee.

Do I have to pay taxes when I cash a bond?

Yes, you owe federal income tax on the interest earned by the bond. For savings bonds, you report the interest in the year you redeem the bond (unless you chose to report it annually). For Treasury bonds, you owe federal tax but not state or local tax. For corporate and municipal bonds, the tax treatment varies — municipal bonds are often tax-free at the federal level. Keep your redemption paperwork; the bank or broker will send you a tax form (usually a 1099-INT or 1099-OID) that you'll need for your tax return.

What if the bond has matured and stopped earning interest?

A matured bond still has value and can be cashed. For savings bonds, you should redeem them as soon as they mature because they stop earning interest. For Treasury bonds and corporate bonds, a matured bond can be redeemed at face value (the amount printed on the certificate). Contact the bank or issuer to process the redemption.

Can I cash a bond if I'm not the original owner?

Only the registered owner or someone with legal authority (executor, trustee, power of attorney holder) can redeem a bond. If the bond was transferred to you as a gift, it must be re-registered in your name first. Contact the issuer or a bank with brokerage services to request a transfer of ownership, which usually takes one to two weeks.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.