You can buy savings bonds directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury through TreasuryDirect, or through a bank or broker

The most common route is TreasuryDirect, the Treasury's online platform where you buy bonds directly from the government with no middleman or fees. You create an account, link a bank account, and purchase bonds in amounts from $25 to $10,000 per bond type per calendar year. Paper bonds are no longer sold; all purchases are electronic and held in your TreasuryDirect account.

If you prefer to buy through a financial institution, most banks and brokers sell savings bonds, though they may charge a fee and the process varies by institution. Some people choose this route if they already have a relationship with a bank or broker and want to manage all their investments in one place.

Key Takeaways

  • TreasuryDirect is free and lets you buy bonds directly from the Treasury online, with no fees or commissions.
  • You must have a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, a valid email address, and a U.S. bank account to open a TreasuryDirect account.
  • Annual purchase limits are $10,000 per bond type (Series EE and Series I) per person per calendar year through TreasuryDirect, though limits are higher if you buy through a bank or broker.
  • Bonds are held electronically in your TreasuryDirect account and can be redeemed online after you meet the holding period for that bond type.
  • You can buy bonds for yourself, as a gift for someone else, or for a minor, though the process and account setup differ for each.

Setting up a TreasuryDirect account

Go to treasurydirect.gov and click "Open an Account" to start. You will need your Social Security number or ITIN, a valid email address, and a U.S. bank account (checking or savings). The Treasury uses your bank account information to verify your identity; they do not charge you anything during signup.

After you provide your personal information, the Treasury will ask you to create a username and password. You will then receive an email with a link to confirm your account. Once confirmed, you can log in and begin purchasing bonds when ready. The entire process takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

If you already have a TreasuryDirect account, you do not need to create a new one to buy more bonds. You straightforward log in and purchase additional bonds within your annual limits.

Purchasing bonds through TreasuryDirect

Log into your TreasuryDirect account and select "Buy Direct" from the menu. You will choose which bond type you want to purchase (Series EE or Series I are the most common savings bonds). The screen will show you the current purchase price and the terms of that bond.

Enter the amount you want to buy. Bonds are sold in $25 increments, so you can purchase $25, $50, $75, $100, and so on, up to your annual limit of $10,000 per bond type. The Treasury will debit the amount from your linked bank account within one to two business days. Your bond will appear in your TreasuryDirect account when ready, and you will receive a confirmation email.

You can purchase bonds as often as you want throughout the year, as long as you stay within the $10,000 annual limit per bond type. Many people buy bonds monthly or quarterly to spread out their purchases.

Buying savings bonds through a bank or broker

If you want to purchase through a financial institution instead of TreasuryDirect, contact your bank or broker directly to ask whether they sell savings bonds and what their process is. Most large banks and investment brokers do offer them, but not all, and fees and minimum purchase amounts vary.

When you buy through a bank or broker, the bond is held in your account with that institution rather than in TreasuryDirect. You will receive statements from the bank or broker showing your holdings. Annual purchase limits through a bank or broker are typically higher than TreasuryDirect limits — often $100,000 or more per bond type per year — though you should confirm this with your institution.

The main trade-off is that banks and brokers may charge a commission or fee per transaction, whereas TreasuryDirect charges nothing. However, if you are buying a large amount or prefer to keep all your investments in one place, the convenience may outweigh the cost.

Annual purchase limits and how they work

Through TreasuryDirect, you can buy up to $10,000 in Series EE bonds and up to $10,000 in Series I bonds per calendar year (January 1 through December 31). These limits are per person, not per account. If you have more than one TreasuryDirect account, the limit still applies across all your accounts combined.

The limit resets on January 1 each year. If you buy $8,000 in Series EE bonds in November, you can buy another $2,000 in Series EE bonds in December of the same year, but you cannot buy any more Series EE bonds until January 1 of the following year.

If you buy through a bank or broker instead of TreasuryDirect, the annual limit is usually higher and may be separate from your TreasuryDirect limit. Check with your bank or broker about their specific limits, as these vary by institution.

Buying bonds as gifts or for minors

You can purchase a savings bond as a gift for someone else through TreasuryDirect. During the purchase process, you will enter the recipient's name and Social Security number or ITIN. The bond will be registered in the recipient's name, and they will own it from the moment of purchase. You will pay for it from your bank account, but the recipient can manage it in their own TreasuryDirect account once they set one up.

If you want to buy a bond for a minor, you have two options. You can register the bond in the child's name only (the child will own it outright), or you can register it as "parent or guardian, as custodian for [child's name]" (you will control it until the child reaches the age of majority in your state, typically 18 or 21). The custodian option requires you to set up a separate TreasuryDirect account designated for that purpose.

Gift bonds and custodial bonds are purchased the same way as regular bonds — through TreasuryDirect or a bank or broker — but the registration and ownership structure is different. Make sure you understand who owns the bond and who can redeem it before you purchase.

What happens after you buy a bond

Once your bond purchase is complete, it appears in your TreasuryDirect account within one business day. You will see the purchase date, the bond type, the amount, and the maturity date. You can view your bonds anytime by logging into TreasuryDirect and selecting "Manage Direct" from the menu.

Your bonds earn interest according to the terms of that bond type. Series EE bonds earn a fixed rate set at purchase. Series I bonds earn a combined rate of a fixed portion plus an inflation rate that changes every six months. You do not have to do anything to earn the interest; it accrues automatically.

You can redeem (cash in) your bond through TreasuryDirect once you meet the holding period for that bond type. Series EE bonds can be redeemed after one year, though you will lose the last three months of interest if you redeem before five years. Series I bonds must be held for at least one year and lose the last three months of interest if redeemed before five years. When you redeem, the money goes directly to your linked bank account within one to two business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy savings bonds if I do not have a bank account?

No. TreasuryDirect requires a U.S. bank account (checking or savings) to verify your identity and process purchases and redemptions. If you do not have a bank account, you can open one at most banks with minimal requirements, or you may be able to purchase bonds through a broker or bank that does not require you to hold an account with them, though this is uncommon.

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

Through TreasuryDirect, you are limited to $10,000 per bond type per calendar year. If you want to buy more, you can purchase through a bank or broker, which typically have higher or no annual limits. You can also buy both through TreasuryDirect and through a bank or broker in the same year, though you should confirm how the limits interact with your specific institution.

Do I have to buy a full bond, or can I buy a partial amount?

Bonds are sold in $25 increments through TreasuryDirect, so you can buy $25, $50, $75, or any multiple of $25. You do not have to buy a full $100 or $1,000 bond. Through a bank or broker, the minimum purchase amount may be different; check with your institution.

Can I change my mind after I buy a bond?

Once you purchase a bond through TreasuryDirect, the transaction is final and cannot be cancelled. You own the bond and can only get your money back by redeeming it, which requires meeting the holding period for that bond type (at least one year for Series I, at least one year for Series EE). If you buy through a bank or broker, their policies may differ; ask before you purchase.

How do I know if my bond purchase went through?

You will receive a confirmation email from TreasuryDirect within a few minutes of completing your purchase. You can also log into your TreasuryDirect account and check "Manage Direct" to see your bonds listed. The bond will show the purchase date, amount, and current value. If you do not see your bond within one business day, contact TreasuryDirect customer service.