You can buy savings bonds directly from the U.S. Treasury through TreasuryDirect, or through a bank or broker
The U.S. Treasury sells savings bonds in two main ways: directly to you through its TreasuryDirect website, or through financial institutions like banks and brokers. TreasuryDirect is the only place to buy Series I bonds (inflation bonds) and Series EE bonds (fixed-rate bonds) in electronic form. Banks and brokers sell paper Series EE bonds only, and they charge a fee for the transaction.
Which route you choose depends on whether you want electronic or paper bonds, how much you want to buy, and whether you are comfortable with an online account. TreasuryDirect has no fees and no minimum purchase, but it requires setting up an account. Banks and brokers are simpler if you already have a relationship with them, but they only sell paper EE bonds and charge between $25 and $100 per bond.
Key Takeaways
- TreasuryDirect is the official U.S. Treasury website where you can buy Series I and Series EE bonds electronically with no fees and no minimum purchase amount.
- Banks and brokers sell paper Series EE bonds only, and they charge a transaction fee that typically ranges from $25 to $100 per bond.
- To open a TreasuryDirect account, you need a Social Security number, a valid email address, and a U.S. bank account for electronic transfers.
- Paper bonds purchased through banks or brokers arrive by mail and cannot be replaced if lost or damaged, unlike electronic bonds held in TreasuryDirect.
Buying through TreasuryDirect: The direct route with no fees
TreasuryDirect is the official website run by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. You create an account, link a U.S. bank account, and buy bonds directly. There are no fees, no minimum purchase amount, and no maximum annual limit beyond the $10,000 per calendar year cap for Series I bonds and the $10,000 per calendar year cap for Series EE bonds (these limits are separate, so you can buy $10,000 of each in one year).
To open a TreasuryDirect account, you need a Social Security number, a valid email address, and a U.S. bank account. The account setup takes about 15 minutes. Once your account is open, you can buy bonds when ready. The money is transferred electronically from your bank account, and the bonds are held in your account as digital records — you never receive paper.
TreasuryDirect also lets you set up automatic purchases if you want to buy bonds on a regular schedule. You can buy as often as you want, as long as you stay within the annual limits for each bond type.
Buying through banks and brokers: Paper bonds with transaction fees
Banks and brokers sell paper Series EE bonds only. They do not sell Series I bonds. When you buy through a bank or broker, you receive a physical bond certificate in the mail, usually within one to two weeks. The institution charges a transaction fee, which varies but typically ranges from $25 to $100 per bond.
Paper bonds have no annual purchase limit — you can buy as many as you want in a single year. However, if a paper bond is lost, stolen, or damaged, replacing it requires filing a claim with the U.S. Treasury and providing proof of loss, a process that can take several months. Electronic bonds in TreasuryDirect can be replaced more quickly if your account is compromised.
You do not need to open a separate account to buy paper bonds. You straightforward contact your bank or broker, place an order, and they handle the purchase and delivery. Some institutions may require you to have an existing account with them.
Comparing TreasuryDirect and bank or broker purchases
| Feature | TreasuryDirect | Bank or Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Bond types available | Series I and Series EE (electronic) | Series EE only (paper) |
| Transaction fee | None | $25–$100 per bond |
| Annual purchase limit per bond type | $10,000 | No limit |
| Form of bond | Electronic (digital record) | Paper certificate |
| Account setup required | Yes | No (if you have an existing account) |
| Delivery time | when ready (in your account) | 1–2 weeks by mail |
| Replacement if lost or damaged | Faster process through TreasuryDirect | Requires filing a claim with U.S. Treasury |
Steps to open a TreasuryDirect account and buy your first bond
Go to treasurydirect.gov and click "Open an Account." You will be asked to provide your name, Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and mailing address. You will also need to create a username and password.
After you complete the initial registration, the Treasury sends a verification code to your email. Enter that code to confirm your email address. Next, you link a U.S. bank account by providing your routing number and account number. The Treasury makes two small test deposits to that account (usually less than $1 each) within one to two business days. You then log back into TreasuryDirect, confirm the amounts of those deposits, and your bank account is verified.
Once your account is fully set up, you can buy bonds when ready. Log in, select the bond type (Series I or Series EE), choose the amount, and confirm the purchase. The money is withdrawn from your linked bank account, and the bond appears in your account as a digital record.
What you need to know about annual purchase limits
Series I bonds and Series EE bonds each have a $10,000 annual limit when bought through TreasuryDirect. This limit resets on January 1 each year. The limit applies to electronic bonds only — if you buy paper Series EE bonds through a bank or broker, those purchases do not count toward your TreasuryDirect limit.
You can buy up to $5,000 in paper Series EE bonds per calendar year using your federal tax refund, but this is a separate transaction handled through a tax preparer or tax software. That $5,000 does not count toward your $10,000 TreasuryDirect limit for Series EE bonds.
If you reach the $10,000 limit for a bond type in a given year, you cannot buy more of that type until January 1 of the next year. You can still buy the other bond type if you have not reached its limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy savings bonds as a gift for someone else?
Through TreasuryDirect, you can buy bonds in someone else's name if you have their Social Security number and they are a U.S. citizen or resident alien. You set up the account in their name, but you control it until they reach age 18 (or the age of majority in their state). Paper bonds purchased through a bank or broker can be registered in any name you choose.
What happens if I lose my TreasuryDirect password?
You can reset your password on the TreasuryDirect login page using your username and email address. The Treasury sends a reset link to your registered email. If you no longer have access to that email, you will need to contact TreasuryDirect customer service by phone or mail to regain access to your account.
Can I buy savings bonds through my employer's payroll?
Yes, some employers offer payroll deduction for Series EE bonds. You authorize your employer to deduct a set amount from each paycheck, and the bonds are purchased and mailed to you. This is separate from TreasuryDirect and does not count toward your annual purchase limit. Ask your employer's payroll or benefits department if this option is available.
Do I need a minimum amount of money to open a TreasuryDirect account?
No. TreasuryDirect has no minimum account balance and no minimum purchase amount. You can open an account and buy a single $25 Series EE bond if you want. The only limits are the annual caps per bond type ($10,000 for Series I and $10,000 for Series EE).
What is the difference between buying paper bonds and electronic bonds?
Paper bonds are physical certificates you hold and can display. Electronic bonds exist only as digital records in your TreasuryDirect account. Electronic bonds cannot be lost or damaged in the way paper bonds can, and they are easier to track and manage. Paper bonds require you to keep them safe and file a claim if they are lost. Both earn interest at the same rate for the same bond type.