Redeeming (Cashing in) HH/H Bonds

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What is my HH/H Bond worth?

An HH/H Bond is worth its face value. If the bond says $500, it was bought for $500 and is now worth $500.

(It made money for you by earning interest every six months up to its final maturity date.)

An HH/H Bond's face value may include deferred (postponed) interest from an earlier bond. If it is carrying deferred interest, you will receive that interest as part of the bond's face value when you redeem that bond. For more about deferred interest on HH/H Bonds: Tax Considerations for HH/H Bonds.

Note: If you find a bond that belongs to someone else or buy a bond on an online auction site, you cannot redeem it. Savings bonds cannot be transferred, sold, or traded like tradable, marketable securities in a secondary securities market.

Note: If you inherit a bond through the death of the bond owner, see Death of a Savings Bond Owner.

What if my bond is still earning interest?

H Bonds have all passed their final maturity dates. They no longer earn interest.

HH Bonds earn interest for up to 20 years. HH Bond interest is paid every six months on the first day of the 6th and 12th month anniversaries of an HH bond 's issue date. To see in which months we pay interest on your HH bond: Rates and Terms for HH Bonds.

When you redeem an HH Bond, we do not pay interest for part of a six-month interest earning period. Therefore, it is wise to redeem an HH Bond shortly after its interest-paying time.

If you send your HH Bond in for redemption so that the bond is received in the month before interest is due, we will hold your bond until the following month. For example, if you have HH Bonds that pay interest in June and you send them in for redemption in May, the Treasury Retail Securities Site will hold your bonds and your request until June so that you receive the June interest. They will redeem your bonds after the June interest has been paid.

How do I redeem my HH/H Bonds?

The people at your local bank or other financial institution cannot redeem your HH/H Bonds.

However, they can help you by

  • certifying or guaranteeing your signature on your request for payment (on the back of the HH or H Bond you want to redeem), and
  • sending the bonds, with your direct deposit instructions and any supporting documents (if needed), to the Treasury Retail Securities Site.

We pay your HH/H Bonds through direct deposit. If you do not already have direct deposit for your HH/H Bonds, fill out and include form PD F 5396. You can get that form by mail or on-line. Also see Direct Deposit for HH Bonds

If you are not listed as the owner or co-owner on the bond, you must show that you are entitled to redeem the bond.

Will I get a form for my taxes?

Yes. We will mail an IRS 1099-INT by January 31 of the year following the year in which we paid interest. Tax Considerations for HH/H Bonds.

Can I find out if an HH/H Bond has already been replaced or redeemed?

If you have the serial numbers for HH/H Bonds, we can look up the status for you.

If you are the owner or co-owner of the bonds, send a signed request to the address below. Include the serial numbers of the bonds you are asking about.

If the owner or both co-owners have died, you must provide proof such as a copy of the death certificate(s), with your letter and explain in the letter how you are entitled to information about the bonds.

Send your letter to:

Bureau of the Public Debt
P.O. Box 7012
Parkersburg, WV 26106-7012