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Cashing EE and I Savings Bonds: Eligibility, Payment, and Tax Records

Cashing a savings bond is a redemption of a federal security, not a withdrawal from an ordinary bank account. The bond's age, format, ownership, and value determine the process and whether an early-redemption penalty applies. This guide explains how electronic and paper EE and I bonds are redeemed and what records to expect. It helps owners prepare before visiting a bank or sending paperwork to Treasury, especially when the bond has reached final maturity.

Adapted from public-domain educational material published by U.S. Treasury. Fynoptic has organized and edited the material and added introductory and practical guidance. Sources were reviewed on October 28, 2026; original publication dates, where available, are listed below.

Current payment-destination update

As of August 24, 2026, TreasuryDirect no longer accepts the zero-percent Certificate of Indebtedness (C of I) as a payment destination. A primary linked bank account replaces that destination. Treasury is redeeming remaining C of I balances on a rolling basis during the transition; until an account is updated, an existing balance may still be used for purchases or redeemed. Confirm the primary bank information and the current Treasury instructions before acting on an older reference to C of I.

This page is only about Series EE and I savings bonds. For other bonds:

Cashing in HH savings bonds

Cashing old bonds from other series

For these special situations, you want a different page.

Affected by a disaster

Death of a savings bond owner

Living estates (where an attorney-in-fact or court appointed legal guardian/conservator is acting for someone who owns bonds)

Trusts (where a trustee wants to cash savings bonds)

You can get your cash for an EE or I savings bond any time after you have owned it for 1 year.

However, the longer you hold the bond, the more it earns for you (for up to 30 years for an EE or I bond).

Also, if you cash in the bond in less than 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest.

Paper EE or I savings bonds

Note: Do not buy savings bonds from someone else or in an online auction site. You cannot cash them. You can only cash bonds that you own or co-own unless you have legal evidence or other documentation that we accept to show you are entitled to cash the bond.

How do I cash my paper savings bonds? Cashing your (adult's) bonds in the United States

At a bank where you have a bank account:

Contact them and ask:

  • Will they cash your savings bonds?
  • How much will they cash at one time?
  • What identification or other documents do you need?

From us:

(If the value of the bond(s) you are cashing is more than $1,000, you must have your signature certified. See FS Form 1522 for more about the signature requirements.)

  • Send the form and the bonds to us at the address on FS Form 1522.

Information for special circumstances:

Cashing savings bonds outside the United States

Cashing a young child's bond

How do I know how much my bond is worth? Use our Savings Bond Calculator.
How much can I cash at one time?

Note: You cannot cash part of a paper savings bond. A paper savings bond must be cashed for its entire value.

At a bank: Banks vary in how much they will cash at one time – or if they cash savings bonds at all.

With us: We have no limit on the value or number of savings bonds you can cash at one time as long as the bonds meet the requirements for cashing.

When will I get a form for my tax return?

At a bank: If a bank cashes your savings bond, they are responsible for getting you a 1099-INT. They may give or mail you the 1099-INT as soon as you cash the bond or they may wait until the following January.

With us: If we cash your paper savings bond, we mail you the 1099-INT the following January.

See more about tax information for EE and I savings bonds.

Can I authorize someone else to cash my bonds? You can authorize an attorney-in-fact to cash your bonds. See our instructions for an attorney-in-fact.
What if I'm not sure if a paper EE or I savings bond has already been cashed or replaced?

If you are not sure because you got the bonds when someone died, see Death of a savings bond owner.

Otherwise, check with your bank. They may be able to tell you.

If they can't tell you and you are the owner or co-owner of the bond, write to us.

  • Include the serial number(s) of the bond(s).

    Do NOT send the actual bonds.

  • Sign the letter.
  • Mail the letter to

    Treasury Retail Securities Services
    P.O. Box 9150
    Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150

Electronic EE or I savings bonds

How do I cash my electronic savings bonds?

Watch this Help Video for assistance. Or visit How do I…? for full step-by-step instructions.

  1. Go to your TreasuryDirect account.
  2. Go to ManageDirect.
  3. Under Manage My Securities, click Redeem securities.
How do I know how much my bond is worth?

Go to your TreasuryDirect account.

Check under Current Holdings.

How much can I cash at one time?

Any amount of $25 or more to the penny.

If you cash only part of what a bond is worth, you must leave at least $25 in your account.

If you cash only part of what a bond is worth, you only get the interest on the part you cash.

When will I get a form for my tax return?

The 1099-INT that you need for your tax return will be available in your TreasuryDirect account in January of the year after you cash in the bond.

See more in Tax information for EE and I savings bonds.

Putting this into practice

Check the issue date, registered owner, and redemption value before choosing a payment route. Ask a bank about its own cashing service before making a trip. Keep the redemption documents and tax form so that the interest reported can be reconciled with your records.

Sources and further reading

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