Chase will cash Series EE and Series I savings bonds, but only if you have an account there and the bond is registered in your name

Chase Bank can cash savings bonds for you, but the process depends on which type of bond you hold and whether you meet their requirements. Most Chase branches will cash Series EE bonds and Series I bonds if you present the physical bond, valid ID, and have a Chase deposit account. You cannot cash a bond at Chase if someone else's name appears on it as the owner, or if the bond is registered to a minor without a parent or guardian present.

The bond must be in your possession—you cannot cash a bond that is held in a safe deposit box at another bank or stored elsewhere. Chase will not cash bonds that are damaged, altered, or missing the serial number. If your bond meets these conditions, the process typically takes a few minutes at the teller window, and the funds go directly into your Chase account or are issued as a check.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase cashes Series EE and Series I savings bonds at the teller window if you have a deposit account and valid ID.
  • The bond must be in your name only; bonds registered to multiple owners or minors require additional documentation or a co-owner present.
  • You need the physical bond certificate, not a digital record or statement—Chase cannot process bonds held elsewhere.
  • Cashing a bond before maturity may mean you forfeit the last three months of interest, depending on how long you have held it.
  • If your bond is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact the U.S. Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service to request a replacement before attempting to cash it.

What Chase needs from you to cash a bond

Bring the original bond certificate, a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), and your Chase debit card or account number. The teller will verify that the name on the bond matches your ID and that your account is in good standing. If you do not have a Chase account, you can open one before attempting to cash the bond, though some branches may require the account to be open for a minimum period before processing the transaction.

If the bond is registered to you and a spouse or co-owner, both of you must be present with ID. If the bond is registered to a minor, a parent or legal guardian must present it along with the child's birth certificate or Social Security card. Chase will not cash a bond if the name on the certificate does not match the ID you present, even if you can prove you are the rightful owner through other means.

How much interest you lose by cashing early

Series EE bonds reach final maturity at 30 years, but you can cash them anytime after one year. If you cash a Series EE bond before five years have passed, you forfeit the last three months of interest. After five years, there is no penalty. Series I bonds follow the same rule: cash before five years and you lose three months of interest; cash at five years or later and you keep all accrued interest.

The interest rate on Series EE bonds is fixed for the life of the bond. Series I bonds have a composite rate that changes every six months (in May and November), so the interest you have already earned is locked in, but future interest depends on when you cash it. Check the bond's issue date and the current composite rate on the Treasury Department's website before you go to Chase, so you know what you should receive.

What happens if your bond is lost, stolen, or damaged

Chase cannot cash a bond that is missing, altered, or illegible. If your bond is lost or stolen, contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (part of the U.S. Treasury) at 844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov. You will need to file a claim with the serial number, issue date, and denomination. The Treasury will investigate and issue a replacement bond if your claim is approved, which typically takes several weeks.

If your bond is water-damaged, faded, or torn but still readable, Chase may still accept it. Bring it to your branch and ask the teller to inspect it. If the serial number and owner name are legible, most branches will process it. If the damage is severe enough that the bond cannot be read, you will need to request a replacement from the Treasury instead.

Bonds registered to estates or trusts

If a savings bond is registered to a deceased person's estate or held in a trust, Chase will not cash it at the teller window. You will need to contact the Treasury Department directly and provide a death certificate (for estates) or trust documentation. The Treasury will reissue the bond in the name of the estate executor or the trust beneficiary, and then you can take the reissued bond to Chase to cash it.

This process takes longer than a standard cash-out—typically four to eight weeks—because the Treasury must verify the estate or trust paperwork. If you are the executor or trustee, keep the original bond and all documentation together while you wait for the reissue.

Other banks and the U.S. Postal Service also cash bonds

Chase is not the only place to cash a savings bond. Most banks and credit unions will cash Series EE and Series I bonds if you have an account with them and meet their ID requirements. The U.S. Postal Service also cashes savings bonds at many locations, though you do not need an account there. Call your local post office to confirm they offer this service before you visit.

If you do not have a Chase account and do not want to open one, the post office is often faster. Bring your bond, valid ID, and ask the clerk to cash it. The post office will issue a check or, at some locations, deposit the funds directly into your bank account if you provide routing and account numbers.

Tax reporting when you cash a bond

When you cash a savings bond, the interest you earned is subject to federal income tax. Chase will not withhold taxes automatically—you are responsible for reporting the interest on your tax return. The amount of interest is the difference between what you paid for the bond and what you receive when you cash it.

You do not receive a 1099 form from Chase or the Treasury for savings bonds. Instead, you track the interest yourself and report it as income on your federal tax return. If you cashed multiple bonds or have questions about how much interest to report, contact the IRS or a tax professional. Some states also tax savings bond interest, so check your state's rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a savings bond at Chase if I do not have an account?

No. Chase requires you to have a deposit account to cash a savings bond at their branch. You can open an account before cashing the bond, though some branches may have a waiting period. Alternatively, the U.S. Postal Service cashes bonds without requiring an account.

What if my bond is registered to my child?

A parent or legal guardian must present the bond along with the child's birth certificate or Social Security card. Both the child and the adult do not need to be present, but the adult's ID must match the guardianship documents on file. Chase will verify this before processing the cash-out.

Do I have to report the interest when I cash a bond?

Yes. The interest you earned is taxable income and must be reported on your federal tax return. Chase does not issue a 1099, so you calculate the interest yourself (the difference between purchase price and cash value) and report it. Some states also tax this interest.

Can Chase cash a bond that is in a safe deposit box?

No. You must bring the physical bond certificate to the teller. Chase cannot access bonds stored in safe deposit boxes or held elsewhere. Retrieve the bond from storage and bring it to your branch in person.

What if I lost the bond certificate?

Contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov to file a claim. You will need the serial number, issue date, and denomination. The Treasury will investigate and send you a replacement bond, which takes several weeks. Once you receive it, you can take it to Chase to cash.