Cashing a Savings Bond in a Child's Name: Minors, Parents and Age Rules

A savings bond in a child's name is cashed by the child if the child understands the request, and otherwise by a parent (31 CFR 353.62, 353.63). That parent is the one the child lives with or who has legal custody (custody that has been formally granted to the parent).

The parent signs "on behalf of [child's name], a minor," and a bank decides for itself whether to pay. No law sets an age, and TreasuryDirect treats a minor as anyone under 18. FS Form 1522 lets you cash the bond by mail instead.

ClaimMyBonds is an independent private guide, not Treasury, and Treasury's forms are free. This page covers the parent statement, bank limits, the mail route, current values and the interest tax.

By ClaimMyBonds Editorial Team. See our methodology.

Can a Parent Cash a Child's Savings Bond?

Yes, a parent can cash a child's savings bond when the child is too young to understand the request (31 CFR 353.63). The child must live with that parent, or the parent must have legal custody (TreasuryDirect, as of November 11, 2026).

The parent writes and signs a short statement, shown below, and then cashes the bond at a bank that agrees or by mail. Bonds in your own name follow our guide on how to cash savings bonds.

The table lists who may cash a child's bond, where, and under which rule.

Sources: 31 CFR 353.37, 353.38, 353.60, 353.62, 353.63, 321.7(c) (eCFR, as of November 9, 2026); FS Publication 0022 (Rev. October 2022). Bonds in a child's name never qualify for the Education Savings Bond Program.

Which Parent Can Cash the Bond: Residence, Custody and Chief Support

Three kinds of adult may request payment for a child who cannot sign: the parent the child lives with, the parent with legal custody, and, if the child lives with neither parent, the person who furnishes the chief support, meaning the main financial support (31 CFR 353.63).

At a bank only a parent qualifies (31 CFR 321.7(c)). FS Publication 0022 bars a step-parent at a bank, and the Federal Reserve Banks' FAQ excludes a non-custodial parent.

A court-appointed guardian of the child's estate presents letters of appointment (the court's proof of authority) dated within one year (31 CFR 353.60). Ask the family's attorney about custody questions, and read about cashing savings bonds for someone else.

At What Age Can a Minor Cash a Savings Bond Alone?

No law sets an age: a minor cashes a bond when of "sufficient competency to sign the request for payment and to understand the nature of the transaction" (31 CFR 353.62). Treasury "has not established any rule as to the exact age" (31 CFR 321, Appendix, item 9(c)).

TreasuryDirect treats a child as "a minor under the age of 18," and at 18 the child cashes like any owner. By mail, FS Form 1522 lets a minor sign "if, in the opinion of the notary or certifying officer," the minor is competent. A certifying officer is an authorized official who verifies the signer.

How the Names on the Bond Change Who Can Cash It

The registration printed on the bond decides who may cash it. A co-owner is a second owner joined by OR, and either co-owner may cash alone, while the other loses the interest (31 CFR 353.37). A POD (payable on death) beneficiary receives the bond only after the owner dies (31 CFR 353.38).

The table shows five registrations.

The person who paid for the bond is not an owner unless the name is on it, so check the registration line first. Our guide shows how to read a paper savings bond.

The Parent Statement for Cashing a Child's Savings Bond

A parent writes and signs one statement to cash a young child's bond. The text below is copied from the TreasuryDirect page Cashing paper bonds for a young child, as of November 11, 2026, with the blanks as printed.

The parent writes the statement on the back of the bond (TreasuryDirect, as of November 12, 2026; 31 CFR 353.63).

I certify that I am the parent of [child's name]. [Child's name] resides with me
OR I have been granted legal custody of [child's name]. [She / he] is ___ years old
and is not of sufficient understanding to make this request. [Child's name] has
has the Social Security Number ___-__-____.
Signature: [parent's name] on behalf of [child's name], a minor

The signature reads "[parent's name] on behalf of [child's name], a minor." This page leaves the Social Security Number blank on purpose.

Cashing a Child's Savings Bond at a Bank

A bank may pay a parent for a child's bond, but FS Publication 0022 (Rev. October 2022) makes it "at the option of your financial institution." The parent brings four items.

• The original paper bond, because a copy or image is not accepted (31 CFR 321.25)
• The parent's own identification
• The child's Social Security Number
• The parent statement, signed in front of the bank

Banks pay Series EE, I and E bonds and Savings Notes (31 CFR 321.7(a)), charge no fee (31 CFR 321.23(c)) and pay whole bonds, not part of one. FS Publication 0022 states: "Prohibited: Do NOT cash bonds or notes presented and signed by: ... a step-parent on behalf of a minor."

If the Bank Refuses to Cash Your Child's Savings Bond

If a bank refuses, send the bond by mail with FS Form 1522, or ask a bank where you already have an account. FS Publication 0022 (Rev. October 2022) makes cashing for non-customers optional, and the Secret Service recommends a 12-month customer relationship, a recommendation, not a rule.

31 CFR 321.10(a) still reads "whether or not a customer," yet banks may decline. For policies bank by bank, see what banks cash savings bonds in our dated list.

Cashing a Child's Savings Bond by Mail With FS Form 1522

To cash a child's bond by mail, fill out FS Form 1522 (Rev. April 2026) with the information from the parent statement, then send the signed form with the bonds to Treasury Retail Securities Services, P.O. Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150.

A notary or certifying officer must certify the signature only when the total current redemption value (what the bonds are worth today, interest included) is more than $1,000.

At $1,000 or less, sign and enclose a current copy of a driver's license, passport, state ID or military ID. Follow the form's own wording on identification when a parent signs for a child. Payment is by direct deposit only, to the account named in Item 2, which asks for the payee's Social Security Number.

TreasuryDirect lists five months or longer for bonds not in your name (as of November 11, 2026), and a bond in a child's name is not in the parent's name. Treasury mails a 1099-INT the following January. Our page on FS Form 1522 walks through each item.

The table applies the $1,000 test to three sets of bonds at November 2026 values.

Source: Fiscal Data, Savings Bonds Value Files (November 2026), https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/datasets/savings-bond-value-files/. The January 2009 bond has a $1,000 face value (the amount printed on it) but is worth less, so it needs no certification.

What a Savings Bond in a Child's Name Is Worth Now

A $100 paper EE bond issued in 2009, 2010 or 2011 is worth $54.76 to $62.96 in November 2026 (Fiscal Data Savings Bonds Value Files, all 36 issue months).

Paper EE bonds were sold until December 2011, and over-the-counter sales ended January 1, 2012 (76 FR 66855). Below face value is normal: paper EE bonds issued May 2007 to December 2011 step up to face at 20 years (31 CFR 351.35(f)(1)).

The table gives the lowest and highest value over each year's 12 issue months and when each reaches face.

Source: Fiscal Data, Savings Bonds Value Files (November 2026), https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/datasets/savings-bond-value-files/; 31 CFR 351.35(f)(1). Values change on the 1st of each month; the year pages list $75 and $200 bonds. See when you can cash savings bonds.

Every 2009 to 2011 bond is past 5 years, so no 3-month interest penalty applies, while a paper I bond under 5 years old loses 3 months of interest. Schedules through May 2027 rise or hold.

This page lists no I bond values, so for other EE issue months use our savings bond calculator, built on Treasury's published value files, and for paper I bonds use TreasuryDirect's calculator.

Who Pays Tax When a Child's Savings Bond Is Cashed

Interest on a bond registered only in a child's name is the child's income, even if a parent paid for it and is the named beneficiary (IRS Publication 550 (2025)).

The interest is federally taxable when the bond is cashed or reaches final maturity, whichever comes first (IRC 454; 26 U.S.C. 454). It is exempt from state and local income tax (31 U.S.C. 3124).

The child or a parent may elect yearly reporting. Form 8615 applies when the child has more than $2,700 of unearned income (2025) and other conditions are met.

Bonds in a child's name never qualify for the education exclusion. Form 8815 (2025) says: "A bond bought by a parent and issued in the name of his or her child under age 24 does not qualify for the exclusion by the parent or child." Ask a tax professional; our guide covers taxes on savings bond interest.

Other Savings Bond Situations Involving Minors

Four related situations follow different rules, and the list below names them.

• Electronic bonds in a minor linked account
• Reissue of a child's paper bond
• A child's lost or destroyed bond
• Bonds a minor inherits

Electronic Bonds in a Minor Linked Account

Electronic bonds bought for a child sit in a minor linked account, where a parent or the child's chief financial supporter acts as custodian (31 CFR 363.27). See electronic savings bonds. A redemption by mail uses FS Form 5512 (Rev.

April 2026), which a parent signs for a minor account before a certifying officer, because "Notary certification is not acceptable." At 18 the account goes on hold until the parent delivers it to the new adult, who verifies with ID.me.

Reissuing a Child's Paper Bond Instead of Cashing It

A reissue, meaning Treasury issues the bond again in a new form, turns a paper EE or I bond into an electronic bond in a TreasuryDirect account. On FS Form 4000 (Rev.

April 2026), a minor may not sign the request, and a reissue for a minor is in the minor's name alone. Removing a minor who has an appointed representative needs court authorization (31 CFR 353.65).

A Child's Lost or Destroyed Savings Bond

A parent claims a child's lost, stolen or destroyed bond for a minor who lacks competency, before a notary or certifying officer. FS Form 1048 (Rev. March 2026) has an item for minors, and EE and I replacements are electronic only.

When a Minor Inherits Savings Bonds

A minor who survives a co-owner or is the beneficiary gets a reissue in the minor's name alone.

On FS Forms 1455 and 5394 a parent signs for a minor, while a minor cannot be the voluntary representative on FS Form 5336 (18 or older) and cannot sign FS Form 1849. Read about savings bonds after death.

Child's Savings Bond FAQ

Can a Minor Cash a Savings Bond Without a Parent?

Yes, if the child is competent to understand the request: at a bank that agrees, or by mail with FS Form 1522, where the notary or certifying officer judges competency (31 CFR 353.62).

Can a Grandparent Cash a Grandchild's Savings Bond?

Only by mail, and only when the child lives with neither parent and the grandparent furnishes the chief support (31 CFR 353.63); a bank pays only a parent (31 CFR 321.7(c)). Buying the bond gives no right to cash it.

Where Can You Cash a Child's Savings Bond in Person?

Only at a bank or credit union that agrees to pay a parent. Treasury Retail Securities Services has no walk-in service.

Do You Need to Be a Bank Member to Cash a Child's Savings Bond?

Not by rule, but a bank may decline non-customers and new customers (FS Publication 0022). See banks that cash savings bonds without an account.

Can You Cash a Child's Paper Savings Bond Online?

No: paper bonds cannot be cashed online, and only electronic bonds are redeemed in TreasuryDirect ($25 minimum, $25 must remain).