You can cash Series EE bonds at most banks, credit unions, and the U.S. Treasury

Series EE bonds can be redeemed at three main places: your bank or credit union, the U.S. Treasury's TreasuryDirect website, or the Federal Reserve Bank serving your region. The easiest route for most people is their own bank, since you already have a relationship there and can often complete it in one visit. If you own the bonds in paper form, you'll need to go in person; if they're held electronically through TreasuryDirect, you can redeem them online without leaving home.

The place you choose depends on whether your bonds are paper certificates or digital records, how quickly you need the money, and whether you want to handle it yourself or have someone else present. Each option has different requirements for what you bring and how long the process takes.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks and credit unions can redeem paper Series EE bonds in person, and most do this for free if you have an account there.
  • TreasuryDirect lets you redeem electronic bonds online without visiting a branch, though the money takes one to two business days to reach your account.
  • The Federal Reserve Bank in your region can redeem paper bonds by mail if your bank refuses or if you don't have a bank account.
  • You'll need the bond certificate itself, a government-issued ID, and proof of ownership if someone other than the registered owner is redeeming it.
  • Paper bonds issued before May 2003 may have stopped earning interest, so check the issue date before you cash them.

Redeeming paper bonds at your bank or credit union

This is the fastest and most straightforward option if you have paper Series EE bonds. Walk into any branch of your bank or credit union with the bond certificate and a government-issued photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The teller will verify the bond's authenticity, check that you're the registered owner or an authorized representative, and process the redemption. Most banks do this for free if you have an account with them, though a few may charge a small fee if you don't.

The money typically appears in your account the same day or within one business day. If you're redeeming a bond registered to someone else—say, a parent redeeming a bond issued to a child—bring the bond, your ID, and a document showing you have authority to redeem it, such as a power of attorney or guardianship papers. Some banks will ask you to sign a form stating your relationship to the registered owner.

Not every bank will redeem bonds, especially smaller branches or credit unions. Call ahead to confirm they offer this service before you go in. If your bank refuses, the Federal Reserve Bank serving your area will redeem it by mail at no cost.

Cashing electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect

If your Series EE bonds are held electronically in a TreasuryDirect account, you can redeem them online without visiting a bank. Log into your TreasuryDirect account at treasurydirect.gov, navigate to the "Manage Securities" section, and select the bond you want to redeem. Confirm the redemption, and the Treasury will deposit the money into the bank account linked to your TreasuryDirect account.

The process takes one to two business days from the time you submit the redemption request. You'll receive an email confirmation with the transaction details. This method works only if you set up a TreasuryDirect account and registered your bonds electronically—if you have paper certificates, you'll need to use a bank or the Federal Reserve instead.

TreasuryDirect redemptions are free and don't require you to leave home or bring any documents in person. However, you do need access to the email address and login credentials associated with your account. If you've lost access to your TreasuryDirect account, you'll need to contact the Treasury's customer service line at 844-284-2676 to regain access before you can redeem.

Redeeming bonds by mail through the Federal Reserve

If your bank won't redeem your paper bonds or you don't have a bank account, you can mail them to the Federal Reserve Bank serving your state. The Federal Reserve will verify the bonds, redeem them, and mail you a check or deposit the funds into a bank account you specify. This process takes two to four weeks from the time the Federal Reserve receives your package.

To redeem by mail, contact the Federal Reserve Bank in your region to request a redemption form and mailing instructions. You can find the correct Federal Reserve Bank at federalreserve.gov by entering your state. Include the bond certificates, a copy of your government-issued ID, and a completed redemption form. Send everything via certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

The Federal Reserve charges no fee for this service. However, because the bonds travel by mail and the process takes several weeks, this option is best used only when a bank or TreasuryDirect redemption isn't possible. If you need the money quickly, a bank redemption is much faster.

What to bring when you redeem in person

For a bank or credit union redemption, bring the physical bond certificate and one government-issued photo ID. The ID must be current and show your photograph—a driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID all work. Some banks may also ask for a second form of ID, such as a utility bill or recent bank statement showing your address, though this is less common.

If you're redeeming a bond registered to someone else, bring that person's ID as well if they're present, or bring a document proving you have authority to redeem on their behalf—such as a power of attorney, guardianship order, or court-appointed conservatorship papers. If the registered owner has died, bring a death certificate and proof that you're the executor or beneficiary of the estate.

Don't bring the original bond if you're redeeming by mail to the Federal Reserve. Instead, send a photocopy of both sides of the certificate along with a copy of your ID. Keep the originals in case there's a question about the transaction.

Checking if your bonds are still earning interest

Series EE bonds issued before May 2003 stopped earning interest 30 years after the issue date. If your bond was issued in 2003 or later, it will continue earning interest for up to 30 years from the issue date. Check the issue date printed on the bond certificate—it appears in the upper right corner.

If a bond has stopped earning interest, you'll still receive the full value it reached at the time interest stopped, but you won't gain any additional value by waiting. The Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov can show you the current value of your bond if you enter the series, denomination, and issue date. This helps you decide whether to redeem now or wait, though if interest has stopped, there's no financial reason to wait.

What happens after you redeem

Once a Series EE bond is redeemed, it no longer exists and cannot be replaced or re-issued. The Treasury will send you a confirmation of the redemption showing the amount paid and the date. Keep this confirmation for your tax records, since you may owe federal income tax on the interest earned by the bond.

The interest on Series EE bonds is subject to federal income tax in the year you redeem the bond, unless you used the bond to pay for may have access to education expenses and meet other conditions for the education tax exclusion. If you're unsure whether you owe tax on the redemption, consult a tax professional or review IRS Publication 550 on investment income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else redeem my Series EE bonds if I'm not available?

Yes, if you give them written authorization. They'll need a power of attorney document signed by you, your government-issued ID, and their own ID. Some banks may also require a notarized signature. Call your bank first to ask what documents they need before you prepare the paperwork.

What if I lost my paper bond certificate?

Contact the Treasury at 844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov to report it lost. The Treasury can issue a replacement certificate, though the process takes several weeks. If the bond was registered to you and you can prove ownership, the replacement will have the same value and issue date as the original.

Do I have to redeem the entire bond, or can I cash in part of it?

Series EE bonds must be redeemed in full—you cannot cash in a portion and keep the rest earning interest. If you need only part of the value, you'll receive the full redemption amount and will need to manage the extra funds yourself.

How long does it take to get my money after I redeem at a bank?

Most banks deposit the money into your account the same day or within one business day. If you're receiving a check instead, ask the teller how long it will take to print and whether you can take it with you immediately or if they'll mail it.

Can I redeem a Series EE bond at any bank, or only my own?

Most banks will redeem bonds for customers who have accounts with them. Some may redeem for non-customers, but may charge a fee. Call ahead to confirm the bank's policy before you visit. If they refuse, the Federal Reserve will redeem it by mail at no cost.