Redeeming Your Bonds

• You can convert your series EE savings bonds to cash by redeeming or cashing them in. Most banks will redeem a savings bond. You must take the bond to the bank and present identification proving you are the listed owner of the bond. If you do not have an account at the bank, the bond cashing limit is $1,000. To cash larger bond amounts, you must go to a bank where you have an established account and the account has been open for at least six months.
  
  

Redeeming by Mail

• If you have a bond worth more than $1,000 or just want to receive your bond proceeds in the form of a government check, you can redeem the savings bond by mail. However, you still must first go to a bank to have the signature or signatures on the bond verified. A bank officer makes sure the bond is signed by the listed owner of the bond and makes sure the listed address and Social Security number are correct. A bond cannot be cashed by mail unless it is first taken to a bank for this verification process.
  
  

Changing Ownership or Beneficiary

• A visit to a bank is required to change ownership or beneficiary details on a savings bond. To add or remove a co-owner or beneficiary, the Treasury requires the bond owner to complete a special form and mail the form plus the savings bond to the Treasury. The change request form must have all signatures verified by a bank officer. The bank will not handle the actual changes, but the changes will not be completed without the assistance of the bank to properly complete the required form.
  
  

Converting Paper to Electronic

• Paper savings bonds can be converted from paper certificates to electronic form. Electronic savings bonds are maintained in individual accounts set up on the TreasuryDirect.gov website. Converting bonds to electronic form is handled through the mail, and the assistance of a bank is normally not required unless there is an ownership question concerning a bond. A TreasuryDirect account must be linked to a bank account so any transactions concerning savings bonds in electronic form will be processed electronically through the linked bank account.