Where to buy savings bonds

You buy savings bonds directly from the U.S. Treasury through TreasuryDirect, an online platform run by the federal government. You do not buy them from a bank, broker, or investment app — only TreasuryDirect sells new bonds to individual buyers. This is the only place to purchase Series EE bonds or Series I bonds as a person saving money.

TreasuryDirect is free to use. There are no account fees, no transaction fees, and no commissions. You create an account, link a bank account, and buy bonds through the website or mobile app. The entire process happens online; you never receive a physical certificate in the mail.

If you already own savings bonds purchased before 2003, those may be paper certificates. You cannot buy paper bonds anymore — the Treasury stopped issuing them. But you can still manage old paper bonds through TreasuryDirect if you register them in your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You buy new savings bonds only through TreasuryDirect.gov, the U.S. Treasury's official website, not through banks or brokers.
  • You need a Social Security number, a valid email address, and a U.S. bank account to open a TreasuryDirect account.
  • Series EE bonds and Series I bonds are sold in amounts from $25 to $10,000 per purchase, with a $10,000 annual limit per bond type per person.
  • Money is withdrawn from your linked bank account when you buy, and bonds are held electronically in your TreasuryDirect account.
  • You can buy bonds as a gift for someone else, but the recipient must have their own TreasuryDirect account to receive them.

Setting up a TreasuryDirect account

Go to TreasuryDirect.gov and select "Open an Account." You will need your Social Security number, a valid email address, and a U.S. bank account. The Treasury uses your Social Security number to verify your identity and prevent fraud. You must be at least 18 years old to open an account yourself; minors can own bonds through a parent or guardian's account.

During signup, you will create a username and password, then set up security questions. The Treasury will send a confirmation email to verify your address. After that, you link your checking or savings account — this is where money comes out when you buy bonds, and where the Treasury deposits money if you cash bonds in early.

The entire signup process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Your account is active when ready, though you may need to wait a few business days for your bank account to be fully verified before you can make your first purchase.

How much you can buy and when

The Treasury sets an annual purchase limit of $10,000 per bond type per person per calendar year. This means you can buy up to $10,000 in Series EE bonds and separately up to $10,000 in Series I bonds in the same year. If you are married, each spouse has their own $10,000 limit, so a married couple can buy $20,000 in EE bonds and $20,000 in I bonds annually.

Individual bond purchases start at $25 and go up to $10,000. You can buy in any amount between those numbers — $50, $100, $500, whatever you choose. If you want to buy $10,000 in EE bonds, you can do it in one purchase or split it across multiple purchases throughout the year; either way, the total counts toward your annual limit.

Bonds are issued on the first business day of each month. If you buy a bond on the 15th of the month, it is dated the first of that month. This matters because interest accrues from the issue date, not the purchase date. Bonds purchased late in the month still earn interest from the first of that month.

The step-by-step purchase process

Log into your TreasuryDirect account and select "Buy Securities." Choose the bond type — Series EE or Series I — then enter the amount you want to buy. The screen will show you the current purchase price (usually equal to the face value) and confirm how much will be withdrawn from your bank account.

Review the details, then authorize the purchase. The Treasury withdraws the money from your linked bank account within one to two business days. The bond appears in your account when ready, but the transaction may show as pending until the bank transfer clears.

Once purchased, the bond is held electronically. You will see it listed in your TreasuryDirect account with its issue date, face value, and current value. You can view your bonds anytime, but you cannot move them to another account or sell them to someone else — they stay in TreasuryDirect until you redeem them.

Buying bonds as a gift

You can buy a savings bond as a gift, but the process requires the recipient to have their own TreasuryDirect account. You cannot straightforward buy a bond and hand it to someone; the bond must be registered to their account from the start.

The recipient creates their own TreasuryDirect account using their Social Security number and email address. Once their account is set up, you can purchase a bond and direct it to their account. The Treasury transfers the bond to their account, and they own it from that point forward. They can view it, track its growth, and redeem it whenever they choose.

If the recipient is a minor, a parent or guardian must open a custodial account on their behalf. The adult controls the account until the child reaches age 18, at which point the child can take over.

What happens after you buy

Your bond earns interest every month. Series EE bonds earn a fixed rate set by the Treasury every six months. Series I bonds earn a combined rate — a fixed portion plus an inflation rate that changes every six months. You do not receive interest payments; instead, the interest is added to the bond's value, and you receive the total when you redeem it.

You can check your bond's current value anytime in your TreasuryDirect account. The value updates monthly on the first business day. If you need the money before the bond matures, you can redeem it early, though there are penalties if you cash it in before five years have passed.

Bonds are backed by the U.S. government, so there is no risk of losing your principal. The only risk is that inflation may outpace your returns, especially with Series EE bonds, which earn a fixed rate regardless of inflation.

Common reasons purchases fail

Your purchase may be declined if your bank account information is incorrect or your account has insufficient funds. Double-check the routing number and account number you entered during setup. If the transfer fails, TreasuryDirect will notify you by email, and you can try again once the issue is resolved.

Purchases also fail if you have already hit your annual limit for that bond type. The Treasury's system will not let you exceed $10,000 per type per year. If you have already bought $10,000 in Series I bonds this year, you cannot buy more I bonds until January 1st of the next year.

If your account is not fully verified, you may not be able to buy bonds yet. This usually clears within a few business days of opening your account. Contact TreasuryDirect customer service if verification is taking longer than expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy savings bonds through my bank?

No. Banks do not sell new savings bonds. You must buy them directly through TreasuryDirect.gov. Some banks offer to help you set up a TreasuryDirect account, but the actual purchase happens on the Treasury's website, not through the bank.

What if I want to buy more than $10,000 in one year?

You cannot exceed $10,000 per bond type per calendar year. However, you can buy $10,000 in Series EE bonds and $10,000 in Series I bonds in the same year — that is $20,000 total. If you need to invest more than that, you would have to wait until the next calendar year or explore other savings options.

Do I need to buy a minimum amount?

The minimum purchase is $25. You can buy a single $25 bond, or you can buy multiple bonds up to your annual limit. There is no requirement to buy in round numbers like $100 or $1,000.

How long does it take to buy a bond after I open my account?

You can usually buy a bond the same day you open your account, though your bank account may take a few business days to verify. If verification is not complete, TreasuryDirect will tell you when you can make your first purchase.

What if I lose access to my TreasuryDirect account?

You can reset your password or username through the TreasuryDirect login page. If you forget your security questions or cannot access your email, contact TreasuryDirect customer service by phone at 844-284-2676. They can verify your identity and help you regain access to your account and bonds.