Who can buy U.S. Savings Bonds?

Who is eligible to buy U.S. Savings Bonds? Do you have to be a U.S. citizen?

Tom's response

There's no citizenship requirement, but you have to have a U.S. Social Security Number to purchase a Savings Bond.

To get a Social Security Number you typically have to be a U.S. resident, a resident of Canada or Mexico who works in the U.S., or a resident of any other country who works for the U.S. government.

Anyone, without regard to residency, citizenship, or age - with the exception of those living in a few countries restricted by the U.S. Treasury because there's no legal way to transfer funds to those countries - may be registered as the owner, co-owner or beneficiary of a paper Savings Bond. (Electronic bonds in TreasuryDirect currently require a SSN for co-owners and beneficiaries as well as for owners.)

People without SSNs can become Savings Bond owners through a gift purchase from someone with an SSN. Co-owners or beneficiaries without SSNs also become owners when the original owner dies.