How to Cash HH Bonds | Steps Banks Still Accept

Series HH savings bonds are redeemed by completing FS Form 1522 and mailing the bonds to Treasury Retail Securities Services for payment.

Series HH savings bonds sit in a strange spot. They look like a normal paper savings bond, yet they don’t work like the EE or I bonds most banks recognize. Many people find out the hard way: a teller may cash other paper bonds, then politely declines HH.

That’s not the end of it. You can still get paid. The trick is using the Treasury’s mail-in process, sending the right form, and avoiding the small mistakes that slow things down.

This walk-through keeps it practical: what to gather, how to fill the form, how to package your bonds, and what to expect once they’re in Treasury hands.

What Makes Series HH Bonds Different

HH bonds were issued only in paper form. They were often created by exchanging older savings bonds rather than buying them fresh. Many owners also saw interest deposited into a bank account while the bond was active. Today, every HH bond has reached final maturity, so it no longer earns interest.

That maturity detail matters for two reasons. First, waiting doesn’t raise the payout; redemption value stays at face value. Second, HH bonds can carry “deferred interest” that shows up on the bond and can trigger tax reporting when the bond reaches final maturity or when it’s redeemed.

Before You Start: Get The Right Stuff On The Table

A calm setup saves a lot of back-and-forth. Set aside 20–30 minutes and gather what you’ll use in one sitting.

Your Bonds And A Careful Inventory

Lay the bonds out and write down each denomination and serial number. If you’re mailing multiple bonds, a simple list helps you confirm everything came back processed.

Proof Of Identity And Your Payment Destination

Treasury needs to know who you are and where the money should go. For most owners, payment is sent by check or by direct deposit based on the option selected and the details provided on the form.

A Place To Get A Certified Signature

FS Form 1522 calls for a certifying official in many cases. This is usually a bank or credit union that provides signature certification services. Call ahead so you don’t waste a trip.

Cashing HH Bonds By Mail With FS Form 1522

The Treasury’s own page for redeeming HH bonds spells out the mail-in route and what triggers tax reporting. Keep it open while you work so you can match your steps to the current wording on the official instructions. Cashing HH savings bonds is the best starting point for the current process details.

Step 1: Download The Correct Form

You’ll use the Treasury’s FS Form 1522, the “Special Form of Request for Payment” used when a detached request is allowed. Download the current PDF and print it single-sided so the certifier can complete their section cleanly. FS Form 1522 is the official version.

Step 2: Match The Registration On The Bond

Look at the bond’s registration line. Your name must be written on the form the same way it appears on the bond, including middle initials and any “POD” wording. If your name changed, you’ll still list the bond name and add your current name where the form asks for it, following the form instructions.

Step 3: Decide Who Is Signing And Who Is Getting Paid

If you are the living owner named on the bond, the process is usually straightforward. If the bond lists co-owners, a beneficiary, an estate, or a deceased owner, the steps can change. Treasury’s publication for H and HH bonds lays out what evidence to include in common situations. Redemption Instructions For Series HH and Series H Bonds (FS Publication 0040) is the cleanest “what goes in the envelope” reference for these edge cases.

Step 4: Complete FS Form 1522 Carefully

Write legibly in ink. If you type the form, make sure the printed copy is clear and not smudged. Incomplete fields can force manual follow-up.

What People Often Miss On The Form

• Using a nickname instead of the bond registration name.
• Leaving out a current mailing address or a daytime phone number.
• Skipping bank routing or account details when choosing direct deposit.
• Signing too early, before the certifying official is present.

Step 5: Get The Signature Certified When Needed

If the form requires certification for your situation, sign in front of the certifying official and bring valid ID. The certifier completes the stamp and signature area. If you sign at home and walk in with a signed form, many institutions will refuse to certify it.

Step 6: Package The Bonds And Mail Them To Treasury

Make copies or clear photos of both sides of each bond for your records. Also copy the completed form. Then mail the original bonds and the signed form using a trackable service.

Use a sturdy envelope so the bonds don’t fold into tiny creases. Add your inventory list on top. Keep the shipping receipt until you have payment in hand.

Which Documents Go With Which Situation

HH bonds show up in real-life situations that don’t fit a one-line answer. This table helps you pair the registration type with what normally needs to be included. Always match your case to the Treasury instructions on the form and publication.

Bond Situation	Form Used	What To Include With The Mailing
Single living owner named on bond	FS Form 1522	Certified signature if required by your case; bond(s); contact details
Co-owners listed and one is redeeming	FS Form 1522	Follow form rules for signatures; bond(s); clear payee details
Bond lists “POD” beneficiary and owner is deceased	FS Form 1522	Certified copy of death certificate; bond(s); beneficiary ID details
Owner is deceased and estate is handling redemption	FS Form 1522	Evidence of authority for the estate; certified death certificate copy; bond(s)
Name changed since bond issue	FS Form 1522	Follow form instructions for signing both names; bond(s); ID used for certification
Bond is damaged but readable	FS Form 1522	Bond(s); note describing the damage; copies of both sides for your records
Bond is missing, lost, or stolen	Different process	Do not mail guesses; use Treasury’s replacement route before redemption
Registration or ownership needs changes before cashing	May require reissue first	Use Treasury’s H/HH change process when a change is required by your case

What Happens After Treasury Receives Your Package

Treasury reviews the form, verifies ownership, and processes payment. For HH bonds, the bond value is the face value. Any deferred interest shown on the bond may be reported on a 1099-INT based on the tax rules tied to maturity and redemption.

If something doesn’t line up—missing certification, mismatched names, unclear account details—Treasury may contact you using the phone number or address on your form. That’s why neat, complete entries matter.

Taxes: How Deferred Interest Usually Shows Up

Series HH bonds can carry deferred interest that built up before the HH bond was issued. Treasury’s HH tax page explains when that deferred interest is reportable and notes the handling for bonds dated 2004 that reached final maturity in 2024. Tax information for HH savings bonds lays out the timing and the 1099-INT behavior Treasury uses.

On the federal side, savings bond interest is generally taxable, while state and local income tax treatment is typically exempt for U.S. savings bond interest. If you’re sorting out reporting timing or ownership-related questions, the IRS has a plain-language FAQ page that explains the general reporting rule for savings bond interest. IRS savings bonds FAQ is a solid reference point.

If a tax form arrives for a bond you didn’t redeem, don’t panic. For HH bonds that hit final maturity, tax reporting can be triggered by maturity itself. The safest move is to match the 1099-INT to the bond and your records, then report based on your tax filing method and the IRS guidance that fits your case.

Common Slowdowns And How To Avoid Them

Most redemption delays come from a short list of preventable issues. Fix these before you seal the envelope, and you cut the chance of a mailed response asking for corrections.

What Goes Wrong	Why It Slows Payment	Better Move
Signing FS Form 1522 at home	Certification may be refused	Sign in front of the certifying official
Name on form doesn’t match bond registration	Ownership check can fail	Copy the registration line exactly, then add current name where asked
Missing phone number or return address	Treasury can’t reach you fast	Fill every contact field clearly
Routing or account number is unclear	Direct deposit can’t be issued	Write numbers cleanly and double-check against a bank document
Death certificate copy not certified when required	Evidence isn’t accepted	Send a certified copy when the instructions call for it
Mailing without tracking	You can’t prove delivery	Use a trackable mailing service and keep the receipt
Including only partial bonds or forgetting one	Inventory doesn’t match your intent	Use a checklist and include your serial-number list

How To Cash HH Bonds When A Bank Says No

If a bank won’t redeem HH bonds at the counter, you’re still on a valid path. Mail-in redemption through Treasury is the standard route for many owners. Treat the bank visit as a way to get a certified signature when your case calls for it, not as the place where the bond is paid out.

If your local branch can’t certify signatures, try a different branch, a credit union where you hold an account, or an institution that offers signature certification services. Call first, be direct, and ask whether they certify signatures for a U.S. Treasury FS Form 1522.

Final Checklist Before You Drop It In The Mail

Use this as your last sweep. It’s short on purpose, so you can run it in one minute.

• FS Form 1522 printed and filled in with clear handwriting or clean typing.
• Name on form matches the bond registration line.
• Certification completed, if your case calls for it.
• Copies or photos saved of both sides of each bond.
• Copies saved of the completed, signed form.
• Bond inventory list included in the envelope.
• Trackable shipping selected and receipt saved.

Once payment arrives, file the paperwork with your records. If a 1099-INT arrives later, match it to the bond and your redemption notes so tax season stays calm.