Where the serial number appears on your bond

The serial number on a savings bond is printed in the upper right corner of the bond certificate itself. On paper Series EE and Series I bonds, you'll see it as an eight-digit number. On Series HH bonds (which are older and less common now), the serial number appears in the same location.

If you own bonds issued after 2011, you likely hold them electronically through TreasuryDirect rather than as physical paper certificates. In that case, there is no printed serial number to find—the Treasury system assigns each bond a unique identifier that appears only in your online account.

Key Takeaways

  • Paper savings bonds have an eight-digit serial number printed in the upper right corner of the certificate.
  • Electronic bonds held in TreasuryDirect do not have a printed serial number; the Treasury assigns a unique identifier visible only in your online account.
  • You need the serial number when reporting a lost or stolen bond, or when redeeming a paper bond at a bank.
  • If you cannot locate a paper bond's serial number, the Treasury can help you reconstruct it using your Social Security number and the bond's issue date.

How to read the serial number on a paper bond

The eight digits appear as a single block of numbers. They are printed clearly in black ink and should be easy to read if the bond is in normal condition. The number is always in the same spot: upper right area of the front of the certificate, above or near the bond's denomination (the dollar amount).

Write down the serial number exactly as it appears—do not skip digits or rearrange them. If the number is faded or hard to read, hold the bond up to light or use a magnifying glass. The serial number is separate from the issue date and the bond series letter (EE or I), which appear elsewhere on the certificate.

Finding your serial number in TreasuryDirect

Log into your TreasuryDirect account at treasurydirect.gov using your username and password. Once you are logged in, go to "ManageDirect" and select "View Bonds." Each bond in your account will have a unique identifier listed next to it.

This identifier serves the same purpose as a serial number on a paper bond—it proves the bond is yours and lets the Treasury track it. You do not need to write it down for everyday purposes, but you should note it if you are redeeming the bond or reporting a problem to customer service.

Why you need the serial number

The serial number is your proof of ownership for a paper bond. If you want to redeem the bond at a bank, the bank will ask for it. If the bond is lost or stolen, you will need the serial number to report it to the Treasury and request a replacement.

The serial number also helps the Treasury locate your bond if there is a dispute about ownership or if you need to update your records. It is the single piece of information that ties the physical certificate to your name and Social Security number in the Treasury's system.

What to do if you cannot find the serial number

If you have a paper bond but the serial number is illegible or missing, contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 1-844-284-2676 or visit savingsbonds.gov. You will need to provide your Social Security number, the bond's series (EE, I, or HH), the issue date, and the denomination.

The Treasury can look up the bond using this information and provide you with the serial number. This process takes a few business days. Keep the bond itself safe while you wait—you will need both the number and the physical certificate to redeem it at a bank.

Serial numbers on older bonds

Bonds issued before 2011 are paper certificates, and all of them have printed serial numbers in the upper right corner. Series HH bonds, which stopped being issued in 2004, follow the same format as EE bonds—an eight-digit number in the same location.

If you inherited older bonds or found them in storage, the serial number will be there even if the bond is decades old. Age does not affect where the number appears or how to read it. The only difference is that very old bonds may have faded ink, making the number harder to see.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I redeem a paper bond without the serial number?

Most banks will not redeem a paper bond without the serial number because they need it to verify the bond in the Treasury system. If the number is missing or illegible, contact the Treasury first to get it, then bring both the number and the physical bond to the bank.

Is the serial number the same as the bond series letter?

No. The bond series (EE, I, or HH) is a letter that describes what type of bond it is. The serial number is an eight-digit code unique to that individual bond. Both appear on the certificate, but they serve different purposes.

Do I need to memorize my serial number?

You do not need to memorize it, but you should write it down and store it somewhere safe, separate from the bond itself. This way, if the bond is lost or damaged, you still have the number to report it or to request a replacement from the Treasury.

What if my bond has a different format or location for the serial number?

Bonds issued by the Treasury follow a standard format, so the serial number should always be in the upper right corner. If your bond looks unusual or the number is in a different location, contact the Treasury to verify it is a genuine savings bond.