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

The easiest way to buy savings bonds is through TreasuryDirect, the Treasury Department's online platform. You create an account, link a bank account, and purchase bonds electronically. No middleman, no fees, no minimum purchase amount beyond the bond's face value. Series EE and Series I bonds are both sold this way.

If you prefer to buy in person or through an existing financial institution, you can purchase Series EE bonds through most banks and credit unions. They charge no fee for this service. You cannot buy Series I bonds through banks — only through TreasuryDirect.

A third option is a brokerage account. Firms like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Vanguard sell savings bonds to their customers. This route makes sense if you already have an account there and want everything in one place, but you will pay a transaction fee (usually $25 to $50 per purchase).

Key Takeaways

  • TreasuryDirect is free, has no minimum purchase beyond the bond's price, and is the only place to buy Series I bonds.
  • Banks and credit unions sell Series EE bonds with no fee, but you must visit in person or call to order.
  • Brokerages sell both types but charge a transaction fee of $25 to $50 per purchase.
  • All three routes buy the same bonds at the same price — the difference is convenience and cost.
  • You need a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to open a TreasuryDirect account.

Setting up a TreasuryDirect account

Go to treasurydirect.gov and click "Open an Account." You will need your Social Security number or ITIN, a valid email address, and a U.S. bank account (checking or savings). The site will verify your identity by asking questions about your credit history — this takes a few minutes and happens in real time.

Once your account is open, you link your bank account for purchases and redemptions. The Treasury pulls small test deposits (usually under $1) to confirm the account is real. This verification takes one to two business days. After that, you can buy bonds when ready.

TreasuryDirect holds your bonds in electronic form only — there are no paper certificates mailed to you. You see your holdings in your account dashboard and can redeem them online whenever you want (though Series EE and I bonds have surrender penalties if you cash them before five years).

Buying through banks and credit unions

Walk into any bank or credit union branch and ask to purchase a Series EE savings bond. You will need to show a photo ID and provide your Social Security number. The teller will fill out a form, take your payment, and issue you a paper bond certificate.

Some banks also take bond orders by phone. Call your branch and ask whether they sell savings bonds and what their process is — policies vary. Expect to wait a few days for the certificate to arrive if you order by phone.

The bond certificate is a physical document. You keep it in a safe place. To redeem it, you return to the bank with the certificate and your ID, or you can mail it to the Treasury. Redemption by mail takes longer (two to four weeks) than in-person redemption.

Buying through a brokerage

If you have an account at a brokerage firm, log in and search for savings bonds in the fixed-income or bond section. You will see Series EE and Series I bonds listed with their current prices and rates. Select the bond you want, enter the quantity, and complete the purchase like any other trade.

The brokerage charges a transaction fee — typically $25 to $50 per purchase order. This fee is separate from the bond's price. So if you buy a $100 Series EE bond, you pay $100 plus the fee. The bonds are held in your brokerage account in electronic form.

One advantage of buying through a brokerage is that you can sell the bond before maturity without the five-year penalty that applies to Treasury Direct purchases. However, you will owe tax on any gain, and the bond's value fluctuates with interest rates — you might receive less than you paid.

What you need before you buy

You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or resident alien. You need a Social Security number or ITIN. If you are buying for a minor, you must be their parent or legal guardian and open the account in your name (the minor's name can be added as a beneficiary, but you control the account).

For TreasuryDirect, you need an email address and a U.S. bank account. For banks and brokerages, you need a photo ID. That is it — no credit check, no income requirement, no process process.

Minimum purchase amounts and denominations

Through TreasuryDirect, you can buy Series EE bonds in any amount from $25 to $10,000 per calendar year. Series I bonds have the same $25 minimum but a $10,000 annual limit. You can buy in $0.01 increments — so $25.50, $100.75, whatever you want.

Through banks, Series EE bonds are usually sold in denominations of $50, $100, $500, and $1,000. Some banks may have different minimums or maximums — call ahead to ask.

Through brokerages, minimums and denominations depend on the firm. Most follow the Treasury's rules, but some may have higher minimums. Check your brokerage's website or call their customer service.

Annual purchase limits and rules

TreasuryDirect has a $10,000 annual limit per person per calendar year for Series EE bonds and a separate $10,000 annual limit for Series I bonds. This means you can buy up to $10,000 of each type in a single year. The limit resets on January 1.

If you buy Series EE bonds through a bank, those purchases do not count toward your TreasuryDirect limit. So you could buy $10,000 through TreasuryDirect and another $10,000 through banks in the same year. However, the total you can own in Series EE bonds is capped at $200,000 face value per Social Security number — this is a lifetime limit, not annual.

Series I bonds purchased through banks do not exist. You can only buy Series I bonds through TreasuryDirect, and the $10,000 annual limit applies only to TreasuryDirect purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy savings bonds as a gift for someone else?

Yes, through TreasuryDirect. You create an account in your name, but during purchase you can designate the bond as a gift and provide the recipient's name and Social Security number. The bond is issued in the recipient's name, and they receive notification. You cannot gift bonds purchased through banks or brokerages — those are issued in the purchaser's name only.

What happens if I forget my TreasuryDirect password?

Go to treasurydirect.gov and click "Forgot Password" on the login page. You will receive an email with a reset link. If you cannot access your email, call the TreasuryDirect customer service line at 844-284-2676. They can verify your identity and help you regain access.

Do I pay taxes when I buy a savings bond?

No. You pay federal income tax only when the bond matures or you redeem it, and you owe it on the interest earned, not the principal. Series I bonds are exempt from state and local income tax. Series EE bonds are also exempt from state and local tax if used for education expenses, but otherwise subject to state tax.

Can I buy savings bonds with a credit card?

No. TreasuryDirect requires a bank account (checking or savings) for all purchases and redemptions. Banks and brokerages may accept credit cards, but this varies by institution — call ahead to ask.

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

You cannot exceed the $10,000 annual limit through TreasuryDirect. However, if you receive a federal tax refund, you can use IRS Form 8888 to direct part of that refund to Series I bonds, and this amount does not count toward the $10,000 limit. The maximum you can buy this way is $5,000 per year.