Register an EE or I Bond
How you register an EE or I Bond determines who owns the bond and who can cash it.
There are three ways to register an electronic bond through TreasuryDirect:
| 1. Sole Owner | Only one person is named as owner. |
| 2. Primary Owner (with Secondary Owner) | Two individuals' names are listed as owners for the security in TreasuryDirect, separated by the word "WITH." For example, "John Smith SSN 123-45-6789 WITH Mary Smith SSN 987-65-4321." The primary owner is named first and has the right to make a transaction with the security. If either the primary or secondary owner dies, the survivor becomes the sole owner. |
| 3. Beneficiary | Only the owner has the right to make a transaction during his or her lifetime. The beneficiary becomes the sole owner of the security if the original owner dies first. |
There are three ways to register a paper bond:
| 1. Single Ownership | These bonds have one owner. Only the registered owner can redeem the bond. If the owner dies, the bond becomes part of the owner's estate. |
| 2. Co-ownership | These bonds have two owners. Either owner may cash the bonds without the knowledge or approval of the other. If one owner dies, the other becomes the sole owner of the bonds. Organizations cannot be co-owners of savings bonds. |
| 3. Beneficiary | These bonds have one owner and one beneficiary. The registration includes the designation P.O.D., which means payable on death. Only the owner may redeem the bond during his or her lifetime. If the beneficiary survives the owner, he or she becomes the bond owner when the owner dies. Organizations cannot be named beneficiaries of savings bonds. If a name is listed on a bond as part of the mailing address - generally after "Mail to" - that person has no ownership or beneficiary rights. |
Registering Bonds for Minors
A parent, relative, or other person can buy a paper bond for a minor who doesn't have a Social Security Number. In this case, or if the minor's SSN isn't known, the buyer will be asked to provide his own Social Security Number. However, he or she will not incur a tax liability.
A parent (or other adult responsible for the minor's support) can register an electronic bond for a minor in their primary TreasuryDirect account by establishing a linked account for a minor. The minor's account can only be accessed from the primary TreasuryDirect account. For more information, see Learn More About Linked Accounts.
Registering Bonds for Education
If you're purchasing a bond for a minor and aren't sure how to register the bond, please see Education Planning.
Representatives and Guardians
Someone who isn't competent to manage his or her affairs can be named as the owner, co-owner or beneficiary of savings bonds ONLY if a guardian or similar representative has been appointed for the estate.
If the incompetent person's money is used to purchase the savings bonds, no one else can be named as co-owner or beneficiary. The savings bond registration must include appropriate reference to the guardianship, or individual, company, or association holding assets in trust for the incompetent person.
