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Pay Direct ®

Better things to do?

Buying a Treasury bill, note, or TIPS is a snap with Pay Direct.

Convenient? Yes! You don't have to go to the bank, write a check, or buy a stamp and put something in the mail. Rather, with Pay Direct, we electronically collect the security's purchase price from your bank account.

If you make your purchase through Buy Direct®, our convenient web or phone option, you automatically pay through Pay Direct. If you buy by paper and mail, and you want us to deduct the purchase amount from your account, simply select Pay Direct on your tender.

The Pay Direct Advantage

With Pay Direct, your money stays in your bank account until the day we issue the security. Because you don't have to mail a check in early, you can earn interest (if your money is in an interest-bearing bank account) right up to the last minute.

Plus, by allowing us to collect the exact purchase price, you ensure you won't have to wait for a discount payment, and you avoid the possibility of being billed for a premium or accrued interest.

Best of all, we offer Pay Direct for free!

Who Can Use Pay Direct?

Only customers who have an account to hold Treasury bills, notes, bonds, and TIPS in TreasuryDirect may use Pay Direct. If you haven't opened an account and you want to buy a security now, you'll have to pay by other means. On your next transaction, you can use Pay Direct.

As mentioned before, to use Buy Direct you must pay through Pay Direct. If you're an existing customer who hasn't used Buy Direct but wants to use it now, go ahead! When you opened your account, you gave us all the banking information we need to allow you to use Pay Direct.

The Pay Direct Process

If you're already a customer, paying through Pay Direct is simple:
  • If you're using Buy Direct, it's automatic, as explained above.

  • If you're buying a security by submitting a Treasury Marketable Securities Tender (PD F 5381), fill in the Pay Direct circle in the tender's Box #9, "Purchase Method." (Download or order a tender.)

Whether you purchase via phone, worldwide web, or tender, we'll send you a Statement of Account shortly after we've issued the security.

Other Payment Options

If you don't use Pay Direct, what are your alternatives? For bills, you can pay by certified personal check, cashier's check, matured Treasury securities, or a check issued to you by a Federal Reserve Bank. For notes or TIPS, you can pay by personal check (it doesn't have to be certified) or any of the means shown above for bills. NOTE: We won't accept credit cards or two-party checks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pay Direct

Pay Direct and Buy Direct are registered trademarks of the Bureau of the Public Debt.