Can You Cash Savings Bonds at Chase Bank?

Chase Bank will cash U.S. savings bonds, but only if you are the registered owner or a co-owner, and only at a branch where you have an account

Chase does not cash savings bonds for walk-in customers or people without a Chase account. You must be listed on the bond itself as the owner or co-owner. If you inherited a bond or someone gave it to you, the original owner's name is still on it — Chase will not cash it under those circumstances. You will need to go through a different process to claim ownership first.

The bond must be in your name as it appears on your Chase account. If your name on the bond does not match your account exactly, bring documents that show the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Chase will ask to see the physical bond and your government-issued ID.

Key Takeaways

• Chase cashes savings bonds only for account holders whose names match the bond registration exactly.
• You must visit a Chase branch in person with the physical bond and a government ID; you cannot cash bonds by mail or phone.
• If you inherited a bond or the owner is deceased, you cannot cash it at Chase and must contact the U.S. Treasury instead.
• Series I and Series EE bonds have different rules about when they can be cashed, and Chase will not override those rules.
• If your bond is lost or damaged, the Treasury can issue a replacement, but Chase cannot process this.

What you need to bring to a Chase branch

Bring the physical savings bond itself. Chase will not cash a bond based on a photocopy, a screenshot, or your word that you own it. The bond is a paper certificate with a serial number, and the teller needs to see the original.

Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Chase will check that the name on your ID matches the name on the bond and on your account. If any of these three do not line up, the teller will not process the transaction.

If your name has changed since the bond was issued, bring proof of the change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing a legal name change will let Chase verify that you are the same person listed on the bond.

When Chase cannot cash your bond

If the bond is registered to someone else — a parent, grandparent, or former spouse — Chase will not cash it. The Treasury Department, not Chase, controls who can cash a bond. Only the registered owner or a court-appointed representative (such as an executor of an estate) can cash it.

If the registered owner is deceased and you are a beneficiary or heir, you cannot cash the bond at Chase. You will need to contact the U.S. Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service directly. They will ask for a death certificate and proof that you have the legal right to the bond — usually through a will, trust, or court order. This process takes several weeks.

If your bond is a Series I or Series EE bond that has not reached its maturity date, Chase will still cash it, but you may lose some of the interest you earned. Series EE bonds issued before May 2003 have a 17-year final maturity date; if you cash before that, you forfeit the final-year interest bump. Check the issue date on your bond before you go to the branch.

How the cashing process works at Chase

Go to any Chase branch where you have an account. Tell the teller you want to cash a savings bond. The teller will examine the bond, check your ID, and verify that your name matches the registration. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.

The teller will look up the current redemption value of the bond using the serial number and issue date. The Treasury updates bond values monthly, and Chase has access to those values. The teller will tell you the amount before processing the transaction.

The funds will be deposited into your Chase account when ready, or you can ask for cash. If you ask for cash, the teller will give you the full amount in bills. There is no fee to cash a savings bond at Chase.

If your bond is lost, stolen, or damaged

Chase cannot replace a lost or damaged bond. Only the U.S. Treasury can issue a replacement. Contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 1-844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov. You will need to fill out Form PD F 1048 and provide proof of ownership, such as a copy of the bond if you have one, or documentation showing you purchased it.

If the bond is damaged but still readable, Chase may still cash it. Bring it to the branch and ask the teller to examine it. Minor tears, stains, or fading usually do not prevent cashing. If the serial number or issue date is illegible, the teller will not be able to look up the value, and you will need to contact the Treasury instead.

If a bond was stolen, report it to the Treasury as soon as you know. They can flag it in their system so that if someone else tries to cash it, the transaction will be blocked. Call 1-844-284-2676 to report a stolen bond.

Savings bonds issued before 1974

Older savings bonds — those issued before May 1974 — have stopped earning interest. They reached their final maturity date decades ago. Chase will still cash them at their final redemption value, which has not changed since they stopped earning interest. The value is printed on the bond itself.

If you have a very old bond and cannot read the value clearly, or if you are unsure whether it has matured, contact the Treasury before going to Chase. They can confirm the current value and whether it is still cashable. Some extremely old bonds may have been replaced by the Treasury with updated certificates, and you may need to claim those instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Chase only cashes savings bonds for customers who have an account at that branch. If you do not bank at Chase, you can cash the bond at your own bank if they offer this service, or contact the U.S. Treasury directly to redeem it by mail.

What if my name on the bond is slightly different from my Chase account?

Bring documents showing the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If the difference is just a middle initial or a nickname, the teller may be able to verify it with your ID and process the transaction. If the first or last name is different, you will need legal proof that you are the same person.

Can I cash a savings bond over the phone or by mail with Chase?

No. Chase requires you to visit a branch in person with the physical bond and your ID. You cannot cash bonds remotely through Chase. The Treasury does allow mail redemptions if you contact them directly.

What happens if I cash a Series EE bond before it matures?

You will receive the current redemption value, which includes all interest earned to date. However, Series EE bonds issued before May 2003 have a 17-year final maturity date, and if you cash before that date, you lose the final-year interest bump. Check your bond's issue date to see if this applies to you.

Who can cash a savings bond if the owner is deceased?

Only the executor of the estate, a court-appointed administrator, or someone with legal authority over the deceased's assets can cash it. This person must contact the U.S. Treasury with a death certificate and proof of authority. Chase cannot process this transaction.