The serial number is printed on the front of your EE bond certificate, in the upper right corner

The serial number on an EE bond is a unique identifier that the U.S. Department of the Treasury assigns to each bond when it is issued. It appears as an eight-digit number printed directly on the physical certificate itself. If you hold a paper EE bond, you will find this number in the upper right area of the front side of the certificate, usually near the bond's denomination and issue date.

The serial number is essential when you need to reference your bond for any reason — whether you are tracking it for tax purposes, reporting it on your tax return, or contacting the Treasury about the bond's status. Each bond has only one serial number, and no two bonds share the same number.

Key Takeaways

  • The serial number on a paper EE bond is an eight-digit number located in the upper right corner of the front of the certificate.
  • If you own an electronic EE bond through TreasuryDirect, you can find the serial number by logging into your account and viewing your bond holdings.
  • You will need the serial number when redeeming your bond, reporting it on your tax return, or replacing a lost or damaged certificate.
  • The serial number remains the same throughout the life of the bond and does not change when the bond matures or earns interest.

How to locate the serial number on a paper certificate

If you have a physical EE bond certificate in your possession, locating the serial number takes only a moment. Hold the certificate so you are looking at the front side, and direct your attention to the upper right portion of the document. The eight-digit number printed there is your serial number. The number is typically printed in a standard font and is positioned near other key information such as the issue date and the bond's face value.

The serial number will remain in this same location regardless of when the bond was issued. Older EE bonds and newer ones follow the same layout, so the location is consistent across all paper certificates issued by the Treasury.

Finding the serial number for electronic EE bonds

If you own an EE bond that exists only in electronic form through TreasuryDirect (the Treasury's online platform), you will not have a physical certificate to examine. Instead, you access your serial number by logging into your TreasuryDirect account at treasurydirect.gov using your username and password.

Once you are logged in, navigate to the "My Securities" section or "Holdings" area, depending on the current layout of the site. Your electronic bonds will be listed there, and each one will display its serial number alongside other details such as the purchase date, current value, and maturity date. You can view this information at any time and do not need to contact the Treasury to retrieve your serial number.

Why you need the serial number

The serial number serves as the official identifier for your bond in Treasury records. When you redeem a bond — whether at a bank or through TreasuryDirect — you will be asked to provide the serial number to confirm which bond you are cashing in. This is especially important if you own multiple bonds, because the serial number ensures the correct bond is processed.

You will also need the serial number if you report your bonds on your federal income tax return. The IRS may request this information if you claim the education tax benefits associated with EE bonds (such as the Education Savings Bond Program), or if you are reporting interest income from the bond. Additionally, if a bond is lost, stolen, or damaged, the serial number is required to request a replacement certificate from the Treasury.

What to do if you cannot find the serial number

If you have a paper EE bond but cannot locate the serial number — perhaps because the certificate is worn, faded, or damaged — you have options. Contact the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service directly by phone at 844-284-2676 or visit their website at treasurydirect.gov. You will need to provide other identifying information about the bond, such as the issue date, denomination, and the name of the person to whom it was issued.

For electronic bonds, if you have trouble accessing your TreasuryDirect account or viewing your serial number online, you can reset your password or contact TreasuryDirect customer service through the website. They can help you regain access to your account and locate the serial number.

Keeping your serial number safe

Once you have located your serial number, it is wise to record it in a safe place separate from the bond itself. Many people keep a list of their bond serial numbers, issue dates, and current values in a secure location such as a home safe, a safe deposit box, or a password-protected document on their computer. This practice makes it easier to track your bonds and speeds up the process if you ever need to redeem them or provide information to a financial institution or the IRS.

If you own multiple bonds, maintaining a record of all serial numbers also helps you avoid confusion when managing your savings. You can organize this list by issue date, denomination, or maturity date — whatever method works best for your record-keeping system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I look up my EE bond serial number online if I don't have the certificate?

Yes, if the bond is registered in your TreasuryDirect account, you can log in and view the serial number in your holdings. If the bond was issued before TreasuryDirect existed or was never registered online, contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 844-284-2676 with the bond's issue date and denomination.

What if my paper EE bond certificate is damaged and the serial number is not readable?

Contact the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service with the bond's issue date, denomination, and the name of the person it was issued to. They can help you identify the bond and issue a replacement certificate with a new serial number if needed.

Do I need the serial number to check my bond's current value?

For electronic bonds in TreasuryDirect, you can view the current value in your account without needing to reference the serial number separately. For paper bonds, you can use the Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator on treasurydirect.gov, though having the serial number on hand is helpful for record-keeping.

Is the serial number the same as the bond's denomination?

No. The denomination (such as $50 or $100) is the face value of the bond, while the serial number is a unique eight-digit identifier. They are printed in different locations on the certificate and serve different purposes.