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

The easiest place to cash an EE bond is your own bank or credit union — most will do it for free during normal business hours. You can also cash them at any bank or credit union in the country, even if you don't have an account there, though some may charge a small fee. The slowest but most direct route is the U.S. Treasury itself, which you can reach through TreasuryDirect.gov or by mail.

The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the money and whether you want to avoid fees. A bank teller can hand you cash the same day. The Treasury takes one to two weeks by mail and requires you to mail in the physical bonds. If you own bonds in TreasuryDirect (the electronic system), you can redeem them online instantly without leaving home.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own bank or credit union is the fastest and usually free option, taking minutes to an hour.
  • Any bank or credit union in the country will cash EE bonds, though some charge a fee if you're not a customer.
  • The U.S. Treasury will cash bonds by mail, but the process takes one to two weeks and requires you to send physical bonds.
  • If your bonds are in TreasuryDirect, you can redeem them online instantly without visiting a bank or mailing anything.
  • You will need the physical bond certificate or access to your TreasuryDirect account, plus a photo ID.

Cashing bonds at your bank or credit union

Walk in with your EE bond certificate and a photo ID. The teller will verify the bond, check that it has reached final maturity or that you meet the early redemption rules, and give you the current value in cash or deposit it to your account. Most banks and credit unions do this for free if you're a customer. If you're not a customer, some institutions charge $5 to $15 per bond, though many waive the fee.

Call ahead if you're cashing a large number of bonds or if your bond is very old. Some tellers are less familiar with bonds issued decades ago, and a quick call to the manager can speed things up. Bring the bond itself — you cannot cash it by phone or online through a bank, even if you have an account there.

Cashing bonds at any bank or credit union

You do not have to use your own bank. Any bank or credit union in the United States will cash EE bonds, though you may pay a fee if you're not a customer. Bring the bond certificate and photo ID. The process is the same as at your home bank: the teller verifies the bond and hands you the money or deposits it to an account you provide.

Fees vary by institution. Some credit unions charge nothing to non-members. Some banks charge $5 to $15 per bond. A few large banks have stopped cashing bonds for non-customers altogether, so call first if you're planning to use a bank where you don't have an account. This option is useful if you're traveling or if your home bank is inconvenient, but it's not faster than using your own institution.

Redeeming bonds through TreasuryDirect online

If your EE bonds are registered in TreasuryDirect — the Treasury's electronic system — you can redeem them instantly online without visiting a bank or mailing anything. Log in to your TreasuryDirect account, select the bonds you want to cash, and confirm the redemption. The money goes directly to your linked bank account within one business day.

This is the fastest method if your bonds are already in TreasuryDirect. You need a TreasuryDirect account and a verified bank account linked to it. If you have physical bond certificates instead, you cannot redeem them through TreasuryDirect — you must use a bank or mail them to the Treasury.

Mailing bonds to the U.S. Treasury

You can mail physical EE bond certificates directly to the Treasury for redemption. Send them to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Parkersburg, West Virginia 26106-1328. Include a letter stating your name, address, Social Security number, the bond serial numbers, and the current value you expect to receive. Sign and date the letter. The Treasury will verify the bonds, process the redemption, and mail you a check within one to two weeks.

This method is slow and requires you to trust the mail with your bonds, so use it only if you cannot reach a bank or if you prefer not to visit one in person. The Treasury does not charge a fee. Keep a copy of your letter and the bond serial numbers in case the check is lost in the mail. If you're mailing bonds worth more than a few hundred dollars, consider sending them by certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

What you need to bring or provide

For in-person redemption at a bank or credit union, bring the physical EE bond certificate and a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). The teller will check the bond's issue date and current value on the spot. If the bond has not yet reached final maturity and you are cashing it early, the bank will calculate the redemption value based on the bond's age and current interest rate.

For TreasuryDirect online redemption, you need your account login and the linked bank account information. For mail redemption, you need the bond serial numbers and your Social Security number. Do not mail the original bonds unless you have no other option — the mail can lose or damage them. If you're mailing, photograph the bonds first as a backup record.

Early redemption and penalties

EE bonds can be cashed before they reach final maturity, but there is a cost. If you redeem an EE bond less than five years after purchase, you lose the last three months of interest. For example, if you cash a bond after four years and six months, you receive the value as of four years and three months ago. After five years, you can cash the bond without this penalty.

The bank or Treasury will calculate this automatically — you do not have to do anything. The redemption value shown on your statement or by the teller already accounts for the penalty. If you are unsure whether your bond has reached five years, ask the teller or check TreasuryDirect before you go in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash an EE bond that is 30 years old?

Yes. EE bonds stop earning interest after 30 years, so there is no benefit to holding them longer. Cash them at your bank or through TreasuryDirect. Bring the certificate and photo ID, or log into your TreasuryDirect account if the bonds are registered there.

What if I lost the physical bond certificate?

Contact the Treasury directly at 844-284-2676 or visit TreasuryDirect.gov. You will need to provide the bond serial number, issue date, and your Social Security number. The Treasury can issue a replacement certificate or, if the bonds are in TreasuryDirect, you can redeem them online without the physical certificate.

Do I have to pay taxes when I cash an EE bond?

Yes, the interest earned on EE bonds is subject to federal income tax. You do not pay tax at the time of redemption — you report the interest on your tax return for the year you cash the bond. Some states do not tax bond interest; check your state's rules. The bank does not withhold tax automatically.

Can someone else cash my EE bond for me?

No. The person whose name is on the bond must be present with a photo ID to cash it in person. If the bondholder is deceased, the estate or authorized representative must contact the Treasury with a death certificate and proof of authority to redeem the bonds.

Is there a limit to how many bonds I can cash at once?

No limit exists for the number of bonds you can redeem. However, if you are cashing a very large amount, the bank may ask you to come back another day or may require you to fill out additional paperwork for tax reporting purposes. Call ahead if you are cashing more than 10 bonds at once.