The places that will cash your bonds

You can cash bonds at your bank, a credit union where you have an account, the U.S. Treasury, or a brokerage firm. The easiest route is usually your own bank — most will cash Series EE and Series I bonds for account holders without charging a fee. If you don't have a bank account, the Treasury will cash them directly, though the process takes longer and requires mailing documents.

Where you can go depends partly on the bond type. Series EE and Series I savings bonds can be cashed at banks and credit unions. Bonds held in a brokerage account must be sold through that brokerage. Treasury bonds (the longer-term kind, not savings bonds) are handled differently — you sell them on the secondary market through a broker rather than redeeming them directly.

The key difference between these places is speed and convenience. A bank teller can often cash a bond in minutes if you're an account holder. The Treasury takes weeks. A broker can sell a Treasury bond in days. Knowing which option fits your situation saves you time and sometimes money.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own bank is the fastest option for cashing Series EE or Series I savings bonds if you have an account there.
  • Credit unions will cash savings bonds for members, and some will cash them for non-members for a small fee.
  • The U.S. Treasury will cash bonds by mail if you don't have a bank, but the process takes four to six weeks.
  • Treasury bonds (not savings bonds) must be sold through a brokerage firm on the secondary market, not redeemed directly.
  • You'll need the physical bond certificate or proof of ownership, a valid ID, and sometimes a signature may provide depending on the amount.

Cashing bonds at your bank

If you have a checking or savings account at a bank, that's your fastest option. Walk in with your bond certificate, your account card or ID, and ask to cash it. Most banks will do this for free for their own customers. The teller will verify the bond is genuine, check that it's in your name or that you're authorized to cash it, and give you the cash or deposit it to your account.

Banks can cash Series EE bonds and Series I bonds immediately. They verify the bond's serial number and current value using Treasury records. If the bond is in someone else's name, you'll need a power of attorney or proof that you're the authorized representative. If the amount is large — typically over $10,000 — the bank may ask for a signature may provide, which is a bank officer's certification that your signature is genuine.

Some banks will cash bonds for non-customers, but they may charge a fee of $5 to $15 or require you to open an account. Call ahead to ask. If you're cashing a bond in someone else's name, bring documentation showing you have the right to do so — a will, a court order, or a power of attorney document.

Cashing bonds at a credit union

Credit unions offer the same service as banks for members. If you belong to a credit union, you can cash your bonds there with your membership card and ID. The process is identical to a bank: the teller verifies the bond, confirms your identity, and gives you the funds.

Some credit unions will cash bonds for non-members, but this is less common than at banks. If you try a credit union where you don't have an account, call first. They may charge a fee or ask you to become a member. The fee is usually small — $5 to $10 — but it's worth asking before you make the trip.

Cashing bonds through the U.S. Treasury

If you don't have a bank account or prefer to work directly with the government, you can mail your bonds to the Treasury. This is slower but straightforward. You'll send your bond certificate, a completed form, and a copy of your ID to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. They will verify the bond, calculate the current value, and mail you a check.

The process takes four to six weeks from the day they receive your package. You'll need to fill out Form PD F 1522 (for Series EE bonds) or Form PD F 1523 (for Series I bonds), which you can download from the Treasury website or request by phone. Include a photocopy of your ID — not the original — and mail everything to the address on the form.

Send your package by certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The Treasury will not cash bonds over the phone or online. If the bond is in someone else's name, you'll need to include a power of attorney or other legal documentation showing you're authorized to cash it. For very large amounts, the Treasury may ask for a signature may provide before sending the check.

Selling Treasury bonds through a brokerage

If you own Treasury bonds (the longer-term bonds issued by the government, not savings bonds), you don't redeem them directly. Instead, you sell them on the secondary market through a brokerage firm. This is different from cashing a savings bond.

You can open a brokerage account with firms like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard, or use a broker through your bank. Once your Treasury bonds are in the account, you can sell them with a few clicks or a phone call. The sale usually settles in one to three business days, and the money goes into your brokerage account. You can then transfer it to your bank.

Selling on the secondary market means the price you get depends on current interest rates and market conditions — you may get more or less than you paid. This is different from a savings bond, which always redeems at a set value. If you're unsure whether you own savings bonds or Treasury bonds, check your bond certificate or ask your bank.

What documents you'll need

The documents required depend on where you're cashing the bond and whose name it's in. If the bond is in your name and you're cashing it at your own bank, you need the bond certificate itself and a valid ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. That's usually all.

If the amount is large — over $10,000 at most banks — you may need a signature may provide. This is a certification from a bank officer, broker, or notary public that your signature is genuine. It's different from a notarization. You can get one from your bank, a brokerage, or a credit union, usually for free if you're a customer.

If the bond is in someone else's name, you'll need proof you're authorized to cash it. This could be a power of attorney, a will, a court order, or a letter from the bond owner giving you permission. If the bond owner has died, bring a death certificate and proof that you're the executor or beneficiary. Call the place where you're cashing the bond first — requirements vary.

Fees and what to expect

Most banks and credit unions don't charge a fee to cash savings bonds for account holders. If you're a non-customer, some may charge $5 to $15. The Treasury charges nothing. Brokerages may charge a small commission to sell a Treasury bond, typically $1 to $10 depending on the firm.

When you cash a bond, you'll receive the full current value — the original purchase price plus all accrued interest. The bank or Treasury calculates this automatically. You don't negotiate the price. The only exception is if you're selling a Treasury bond on the secondary market, where the price fluctuates.

If you're cashing a bond in person at a bank, you can usually get cash on the spot or have it deposited to your account. If you're mailing it to the Treasury, you'll receive a check by mail. If you're selling through a brokerage, the money lands in your brokerage account and you can transfer it to your bank.

What happens if you can't find the physical bond

If you own a bond but don't have the certificate, you have options. If the bond is registered with the Treasury (which is true for most modern savings bonds), you can still cash it. You'll need to prove you own it — usually with a statement from the Treasury showing the bond in your name, or documentation of the purchase.

Contact the Treasury's customer service line or visit their website to request a statement of your bonds. They can issue a replacement certificate or provide documentation you can take to your bank. This process takes a few weeks. If you bought the bond through a bank or brokerage, contact them first — they may have a record of the purchase and can help you locate it or get a replacement.

If the bond was lost or destroyed, you can file a claim with the Treasury. You'll need to provide the bond's serial number if you have it, or details about when and where you bought it. The Treasury will investigate and issue a replacement if they confirm you owned it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a bond that's in someone else's name?

Yes, but you need legal authorization. Bring a power of attorney, a will naming you as executor, a court order, or a letter from the bond owner. If the owner has died, bring a death certificate and proof you're the executor or beneficiary. Call ahead to confirm what documents the bank or Treasury needs.

What if my bond is worth more than $10,000?

Most banks will still cash it, but they'll likely ask for a signature may provide — a certification from a bank officer, broker, or notary that your signature is genuine. You can get one from your bank for free if you're a customer. The process takes an extra day or two.

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

The Treasury typically takes four to six weeks from the day they receive your package. Send it by certified mail so you have proof of delivery. You can check the status by calling the Bureau of the Fiscal Service or visiting their website.

Can I cash a Treasury bond at a bank?

No. Treasury bonds (the longer-term kind) must be sold through a brokerage firm on the secondary market, not redeemed at a bank. Savings bonds (Series EE and Series I) can be cashed at banks. If you're unsure which type you own, check your certificate or ask your bank.

What if I lost my bond certificate?

Contact the Treasury to request a statement of your bonds or a replacement certificate. If you bought it through a bank or brokerage, contact them first — they may have a record. You can also file a claim with the Treasury if the bond was lost or destroyed.