You can cash a Series EE bond at your bank, credit union, or directly through the U.S. Treasury

The easiest place to cash a Series EE bond is your own bank or credit union. Most financial institutions will cash them for free during normal business hours, no account required. You walk in with the bond and your ID, and they process it on the spot — usually within minutes. If your bank won't cash it (some smaller branches decline), ask for a referral to a branch that does, or call ahead to confirm they handle savings bonds.

If you don't have a bank relationship or prefer not to use one, you can cash the bond directly through the U.S. Treasury. This takes longer but costs nothing and requires no account. You mail the bond and a form to the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service, and they mail you a check. The process typically takes two to four weeks from the day they receive your package.

Key Takeaways

  • Your bank or credit union is the fastest option — most will cash Series EE bonds for free and give you the money the same day.
  • The U.S. Treasury will cash your bond by mail if you send it with form PD F 1522, though the process takes two to four weeks.
  • You need the physical bond certificate and a government-issued ID to cash at a bank; the Treasury requires the same plus a completed form.
  • If a bond is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you cannot cash it at a bank — you must file a claim with the Treasury using form PD F 1048.
  • Cashing a bond triggers a federal tax bill on the interest earned, which you report on your tax return the year you cash it.

Cashing at a bank or credit union

Walk into any branch with the bond certificate itself (not a copy) and a government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. The teller will verify the bond is genuine, check that it has reached final maturity or that you meet the early redemption rules, and process the cash or deposit to an account if you have one there.

Some banks charge a small fee to cash bonds issued by someone else (for example, if you inherited one), but most do not. Call your branch first if you're cashing a bond in someone else's name — they may ask you to bring proof that you're authorized to do so, such as a will or power of attorney. If your regular bank declines, try a larger branch or a different bank in your area; most will accept them.

Cashing through the U.S. Treasury by mail

Download or request form PD F 1522 (Request for Payment of Series EE and Series I Savings Bonds) from the Treasury's website or by calling 1-844-284-2676. Fill in your name, address, the bond's serial number and issue date, and the amount you want to cash. Sign the form in front of a notary public — this is required and non-negotiable.

Mail the signed form and the physical bond to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328. Include a copy of your ID (front and back). The Treasury will verify the bond, process your request, and mail you a check. This typically takes two to four weeks, though delays can occur during high-volume periods. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.

What happens if the bond is lost, stolen, or damaged

You cannot cash a damaged or missing bond at a bank. Instead, file a claim with the Treasury using form PD F 1048 (Claim for Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed United States Savings Bonds). You will need the bond's serial number, issue date, and denomination — information you may have in old paperwork, a safe deposit box record, or statements from the Treasury if you bought the bond through TreasuryDirect.

The Treasury will investigate and, if they confirm the bond is legitimate and uncashed, issue you a replacement bond or a check for its current value. This process takes several months. If you cannot locate the serial number, contact the Treasury directly at 1-844-284-2676; they can search their records if you provide your Social Security number and the approximate purchase date.

Tax reporting when you cash a bond

When you cash a Series EE bond, you owe federal income tax on the interest it earned. The amount of interest depends on how long you held the bond — Series EE bonds earn interest for up to 30 years. You report this on your tax return for the year you cash it, not the year you bought it.

The Treasury does not send you a 1099 form automatically. Instead, keep your own record of the bond's purchase price and the amount you received when you cashed it; the difference is taxable interest. If you cashed multiple bonds, add up all the interest and report it as interest income on line 1b of your Form 1040. State income tax may also apply depending on where you live.

Cashing bonds held in someone else's name

If the bond is registered in someone else's name but you are authorized to cash it — for example, as a beneficiary, executor, or power of attorney — bring proof of your authority along with the bond and your ID. This might be a will, a death certificate, a power of attorney document, or a court order. The bank will review it and may keep a copy for their records.

If the original owner is still living but unable to cash the bond themselves, a power of attorney document signed by them and notarized will usually suffice. If the owner has died, bring the death certificate and proof that you are the executor or beneficiary — typically a will or a letter from the probate court. Some banks ask for more documentation than others, so call ahead if possible.

Cashing bonds before they reach final maturity

Series EE bonds reach final maturity at 30 years, but you can cash them earlier. If you cash before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. After five years, you can cash without penalty. Most banks will cash them at any point, but they will verify the issue date to confirm you meet the early redemption rules.

If you are cashing a bond that is less than five years old, the bank will calculate the penalty and deduct it from your payment. Ask the teller to show you the calculation so you understand exactly what you are receiving. The Treasury's website has a savings bond calculator where you can check the current value of your bond before you cash it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an account at the bank to cash a savings bond there?

No. Most banks will cash a Series EE bond for anyone with a valid government-issued ID, whether or not you have an account. If you want the money deposited rather than given in cash, having an account makes the process faster, but it is not required.

What if my bank says they don't cash savings bonds?

Some smaller branches or banks decline to cash bonds due to staffing or policy. Ask if another branch in the same bank handles them, or try a different bank in your area — most larger institutions will accept them. If no bank will help, use the Treasury's mail-in process instead.

How long does it take to get my money if I mail the bond to the Treasury?

The Treasury typically processes mailed requests in two to four weeks from the date they receive your package. Mail delivery adds time on both ends, so plan for four to six weeks total. During busy periods (like tax season), processing may take longer.

Can I cash a bond online?

No. Series EE bonds issued as paper certificates must be cashed in person at a bank or by mail to the Treasury. Bonds purchased through TreasuryDirect (the Treasury's online platform) can be redeemed through your TreasuryDirect account, but those are digital, not physical certificates.

What if I only want to cash part of a bond?

You cannot partially cash a Series EE bond. You must cash the entire certificate. If you need only some of the money, you will receive the full value and can deposit or save the rest.