Chase will cash Series EE and Series I savings bonds, but only if you have an account there and meet specific conditions

Chase Bank does cash U.S. savings bonds for its customers, but the process is more limited than cashing a regular check. You cannot walk into a branch with a bond and leave with cash the same day. Chase requires that you have an account with them, that the bond be registered in your name or your name and another person's name (not a trust or estate), and that you present a valid government ID. The bank will deposit the proceeds directly into your Chase account.

The bonds must be Series EE or Series I savings bonds issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Chase does not cash older series like Series A through D, or bonds issued before 1974. If you hold a bond outside these parameters, you will need to use a different method to cash it — typically the Treasury Department directly or a different financial institution.

The timing matters. Chase processes savings bond redemptions during business hours, and you should expect the deposit to appear in your account within one to three business days, though some branches may complete it the same day. Call your local Chase branch first to confirm they handle savings bond redemptions and to ask whether you need an appointment.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase cashes Series EE and Series I savings bonds only for customers with an active Chase account.
  • The bond must be registered in your name alone or jointly with one other person — not in a trust, estate, or business name.
  • You must bring a valid government ID and the physical bond certificate to the branch.
  • The proceeds deposit into your Chase account within one to three business days, not when ready.
  • Bonds issued before 1974 or in series other than EE and I require redemption through the Treasury Department instead.

What Chase needs from you to cash a savings bond

Bring the physical bond certificate itself — not a copy or a photo. Chase will not process a digital image or a statement showing you own the bond. The certificate is a paper document issued by the Treasury, and the bank needs to see the original to verify the series, issue date, and face value.

You also need a valid government-issued photo ID: a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Chase will not accept an expired ID, even if it is only recently expired. If your name has changed since the bond was issued, bring documentation of the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — so the bank can confirm the bond is legitimately in your name.

If the bond is registered to two people (a joint bond), both owners must be present and bring ID, or one owner must bring a notarized power of attorney from the other. Chase will not cash a joint bond with only one owner present, even if that person has a Chase account.

Ownership and registration rules that affect whether Chase will cash your bond

Chase will only cash bonds registered in the names of individuals. If the bond is registered to a trust, an estate, a business, or a minor (with a custodian listed as the owner), Chase cannot process it. In those cases, you will need to contact the Treasury Department's Bureau of the Fiscal Service directly or work through an estate attorney if the bond is part of a probate.

If you are the beneficiary of a bond but not the registered owner — for example, a parent bought the bond for you but kept it in their name — you cannot cash it at Chase. The registered owner must be present with ID, or you must have a power of attorney from them.

Bonds issued as "POD" (payable on death) bonds, where a beneficiary is named, can be cashed by the registered owner during their lifetime. After the owner's death, the beneficiary must go through the Treasury Department's process, not a bank.

The difference between cashing at Chase and redeeming through the Treasury

Cashing at Chase is faster if you have an account there and the bond meets their requirements. You walk in, present your documents, and the money appears in your account within a few days. The downside is that Chase only handles Series EE and I bonds, and only for account holders.

Redeeming through the Treasury Department takes longer but works for any series and any ownership structure. You mail the bond certificate and a completed form to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, and they mail you a check or deposit the funds into a bank account you specify. This process typically takes four to six weeks. You can also redeem Series EE and I bonds online through TreasuryDirect if you have an account there, though you cannot redeem paper bonds online — you must convert them to digital first, which requires mailing them in.

If your bond is in a trust or estate, or if it is an older series, the Treasury route is your only option. If you have a Chase account and hold a Series EE or I bond in your own name, Chase is usually faster.

What happens if your bond has matured or stopped earning interest

Series EE bonds stop earning interest 30 years after issue. Series I bonds stop earning interest 30 years after issue as well. You can still cash them after they stop earning — there is no penalty for holding them past maturity — but you will not receive any additional interest. The value you receive is the face value plus all interest earned up to the redemption date.

Chase will cash a matured bond the same way as an active one. The bank does not distinguish between bonds still earning and bonds past their earning period. The only thing that matters to Chase is the series, the registration, and whether you have the physical certificate and valid ID.

If you are unsure whether your bond is still earning interest, you can check the issue date on the certificate. Count forward 30 years. If you are past that date, the bond has matured but can still be cashed.

Fees and taxes when you cash a savings bond at Chase

Chase does not charge a fee to cash a savings bond. The bank processes it as a service to account holders at no cost. However, the interest you earned on the bond is subject to federal income tax, and possibly state and local income tax depending on where you live.

When Chase cashes the bond, the bank does not withhold taxes. You are responsible for reporting the interest income on your federal tax return. The Treasury will not send you a 1099 form unless you request one, so keep your own records of the bond's purchase price and redemption value so you can calculate the taxable interest.

Some states exempt savings bond interest from state income tax, but most do not. Check your state's tax rules or speak with a tax professional if you are cashing a large bond and want to understand your full tax liability.

What to do if Chase cannot cash your bond

If your bond does not meet Chase's requirements — it is an older series, registered to a trust, or you do not have an account with the bank — you have two main alternatives. The first is to open a Chase account if you do not have one, transfer the bond to your name if possible (which requires contacting the Treasury), and then return to cash it. This takes time and may not be practical if you need the money quickly.

The second and more direct route is to redeem the bond through the Treasury Department. Visit treasurydirect.gov or contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 844-284-2676. You can mail in the bond certificate with a completed form, and they will send you a check or deposit the funds into any bank account you specify. This takes four to six weeks but works for any bond, any series, and any ownership structure.

If the bond is part of an estate or trust, an attorney familiar with probate or trust administration can guide you through the redemption process and may support the proceeds go to the correct beneficiary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a savings bond at any Chase branch?

Most Chase branches handle savings bond redemptions, but not all. Call ahead to confirm your local branch does this service. Some smaller branches or those in certain regions may not process them, in which case you can visit a larger branch or use the Treasury Department instead.

What if I lost the bond certificate?

Chase cannot help you. You must contact the Treasury Department's Bureau of the Fiscal Service to report the loss and request a replacement certificate. This process takes several weeks. If the bond was lost in a disaster, the Treasury may expedite the replacement.

Can I cash a savings bond if someone else is listed as the owner?

No, unless you have a notarized power of attorney from the owner. If the owner is deceased, you cannot cash it at Chase — you must go through the Treasury Department and provide a death certificate and proof that you are the authorized beneficiary or heir.

Do I have to cash the entire bond, or can I cash part of it?

You must cash the entire bond. You cannot redeem a partial amount. If you want to keep some of the money invested, you would need to cash the bond, then purchase new savings bonds separately through TreasuryDirect.

How long does it take to get the money after I cash the bond at Chase?

The deposit typically appears in your Chase account within one to three business days. Some branches may complete it same-day, but do not count on that. If you need the money urgently, ask the branch manager whether they can expedite it.