You can buy savings bonds directly from the U.S. Treasury through TreasuryDirect, or through a bank or broker
The simplest route is TreasuryDirect, the Treasury Department's online platform. You create an account, link a bank account, and buy bonds electronically without fees or middlemen. This works for Series EE bonds (which earn interest over 30 years) and Series I bonds (which adjust for inflation). You can buy as little as $25 and hold bonds indefinitely.
If you prefer to work with a person or already have a banking relationship, you can buy savings bonds through most banks and investment brokers. They charge a small fee — typically $25 to $50 per transaction — but handle the paperwork and hold the bonds in your account. This route takes longer (usually a few days to a week) because the bank orders the bonds from the Treasury on your behalf.
A third option, now closed to new purchases, is paper Series EE bonds sold through banks. If you own older paper bonds, you still hold them, but the Treasury stopped issuing them in 2011. You cannot buy new paper bonds anywhere.
Key Takeaways
- TreasuryDirect is free, immediate, and requires only an internet connection and a bank account linked to your Social Security number.
- Banks and brokers charge fees but may be worth it if you want a person to answer questions or prefer not to manage an online account.
- You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or resident alien to buy bonds through TreasuryDirect.
- Bonds purchased through TreasuryDirect are held electronically and cannot be converted to paper; you access them only through your online account.
- Interest on Series EE and Series I bonds is exempt from state and local income tax, though you owe federal tax when you cash them in.
Setting up a TreasuryDirect account
Go to treasurydirect.gov and click "Open an Account." You will need your Social Security number, a valid email address, and a U.S. bank account (checking or savings). The Treasury verifies your identity by asking questions about your credit history — this takes a few minutes and happens instantly.
Once your account is open, you link your bank account for purchases and redemptions. The Treasury can withdraw money to buy bonds and deposit money when you cash them in. You can buy bonds immediately after your account is verified, usually within the same day.
TreasuryDirect charges no fees. You also cannot lose money on the purchase itself — the Treasury does not charge commissions or markups. The only cost is the opportunity cost of your money sitting in a low-interest product, which is a choice you make, not a hidden fee.
Buying through banks and brokers
Call your bank or log into your brokerage account and ask whether they sell savings bonds. Most large banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase) and all major brokers (Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Vanguard) offer them. You place an order through your account or by phone, and the institution orders the bonds from the Treasury on your behalf.
The bank or broker holds the bonds in your account, so you see them listed alongside your other holdings. This can be convenient if you already check your account regularly or want everything in one place. The tradeoff is the fee — typically $25 to $50 per purchase — and a delay of several business days while the order settles.
Some banks also offer paper savings bonds through their tellers, though this is becoming rare. If your bank does, you receive a physical certificate. Paper bonds are harder to track and cannot be replaced if lost or damaged, so most people now prefer electronic bonds through either TreasuryDirect or a brokerage account.
Minimum purchase amounts and limits
Through TreasuryDirect, you can buy Series EE bonds in amounts as small as $25. Series I bonds have a $25 minimum as well. There is no upper limit on how many bonds you can buy in a single calendar year, but the Treasury does impose an annual purchase limit: you can buy up to $10,000 in electronic Series EE bonds and up to $10,000 in electronic Series I bonds per calendar year per person.
If you want to buy more than $10,000 of either type in a year, you can purchase additional Series EE bonds in paper form through a tax refund — you can buy up to $5,000 in paper Series EE bonds using your federal tax refund. This is a separate limit and requires filing your tax return and requesting the paper bonds on your return.
Banks and brokers may have their own minimums and limits, so ask before you buy. Some require a larger initial purchase or limit the number of bonds you can hold.
Who can buy savings bonds
You must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a resident alien with a valid Social Security number. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian can open an account and buy bonds on your behalf, but you cannot own the account yourself until you turn 18.
You can buy bonds for a child by opening an account in their name (if they have a Social Security number) or by buying bonds in your own name and designating the child as a beneficiary. The tax implications differ — if the bonds are in the child's name, the interest is taxed to the child; if they are in your name, you owe the tax. Talk to a tax professional if you are buying bonds specifically to save for a child's education.
Non-citizens without a Social Security number cannot open a TreasuryDirect account. Some banks may allow you to buy bonds through them if you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), but policies vary. Call your bank to ask.
How long bonds take to arrive and when you can cash them
Bonds purchased through TreasuryDirect are available in your account immediately — you can see them listed the same day you buy them. There is no waiting period. You can cash them in (redeem them) anytime after one year, though you lose the last three months of interest if you redeem before five years have passed.
Bonds purchased through a bank or broker take longer. The bank submits your order to the Treasury, which processes it and sends the bond back to the bank. This usually takes three to seven business days. Once the bond arrives in your account, the same rules apply: you can redeem it after one year, but you forfeit three months of interest if you cash it in before five years.
Series EE bonds continue to earn interest for 30 years. Series I bonds earn interest for 30 years as well. You are not required to cash them in at any point — you can hold them indefinitely, though the interest stops accruing after 30 years.
Comparing TreasuryDirect to banks and brokers
| Feature | TreasuryDirect | Bank or Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No fees | $25–$50 per purchase |
| Speed | Immediate (same day) | 3–7 business days |
| Minimum purchase | $25 | Varies; often $100+ |
| Account management | Online only | Through existing account |
| Customer support | Phone and email | Your bank's support team |
| Paper bonds available | Only through tax refund | Some banks still offer |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy savings bonds for someone else?
Yes. You can open an account in another person's name if you have their Social Security number and they are at least 18 years old. If you want to buy bonds for a minor, you can open an account in your name and name them as a beneficiary, or you can buy bonds in their name if they have a Social Security number. The tax treatment differs, so check with a tax professional about which method works for your situation.
What happens if I lose my TreasuryDirect password?
You can reset it through the website using your email address and Social Security number. If you cannot access your email, call TreasuryDirect customer service at 844-284-2676. They can verify your identity and help you regain access to your account. Your bonds are safe — they are held by the Treasury, not stored on your computer.
Can I buy savings bonds through a financial advisor?
Most financial advisors do not sell savings bonds because the fees are too low to make it worthwhile for them. If you work with an advisor, they may recommend them but will likely direct you to TreasuryDirect or your bank to purchase them. Some brokers include savings bonds as an option within their platform.
Do I have to report savings bonds on my taxes every year?
No. You can defer reporting the interest until you cash in the bond or it reaches final maturity (30 years). When you redeem the bond, you receive a Form 1099-INT showing the interest earned, and you report it on your tax return for that year. Alternatively, you can choose to report the interest each year as it accrues, which may lower your tax bill in the year you cash the bond in.
What if I want to buy bonds but do not have internet access?
Call TreasuryDirect at 844-284-2676 and ask about phone-based purchasing. You can also visit a bank in person and ask them to buy bonds for you, though you will pay their fee. Some libraries and senior centers offer free computer access if you need to set up a TreasuryDirect account online.