How to Transfer Marketable Securities Out of TreasuryDirect

Marketable securities purchased through TreasuryDirect can leave your account in one of two ways: moved to another TreasuryDirect account (an internal transfer) or sent to a brokerage (an external transfer). One rule applies to both: you have to wait at least 45 days from the security’s issue date before starting the process. The only exception is a security that was fully funded by a maturing reinvestment — those can be transferred right away.

Moving Securities to Another TreasuryDirect Account

Before logging in, track down the account number and taxpayer identification number (TIN) for the receiving TreasuryDirect account. You can’t finish the request without both.

1. Log in to your primary TreasuryDirect account.
2. Click the ManageDirect tab.
3. Under Manage My Securities, click Transfer securities.
4. Select the security type you want to transfer and hit Submit.
5. On the summary screen, check the box next to the security or securities you’re moving, then hit Submit.
6. When asked for the transfer type, choose Internal and hit Submit.

What comes next depends on how many securities you picked:

• Single security — You’ll land on the Transfer Request page, where you can transfer the full amount or just part of it. Partial transfers have to be at least $100 and go up in $100 increments.
• Multiple securities — You’ll land on the Multiple Transfer Request page. When moving more than one security at a time, each one has to be transferred in full. Partial transfers aren’t an option here.

1. Type in the recipient’s TIN and TreasuryDirect account number, then hit Submit.

From here, one of two things happens:

• A paper form is required. For certain requests, TreasuryDirect will have you download and fill out a Transfer Request (FS Form 5511). Print it, complete it, and mail it in. One thing to know: the form has to be signed in front of an authorized certifying official at a bank or financial institution. A notary public signature won’t work.
• No paper form needed. You’ll go straight to a review screen. Look everything over, use the Edit option to fix anything that’s off, read through the disclosure at the bottom, and hit Submit. You’ll get a confirmation screen — worth printing or saving.

After the transfer processes, TreasuryDirect will send a confirmation to the email address on your account.

Moving Securities to a Brokerage Account

External transfers always involve a paper form, so there’s a bit more legwork upfront. Contact your brokerage first to get their exact routing number, the account name, and any other details they need from you. Wrong information will slow things down or cause the transfer to fall apart.

1. Log in to your primary TreasuryDirect account.
2. Click the ManageDirect tab.
3. Under Manage My Securities, click Transfer securities.
4. Select the security type you want to transfer and hit Submit.
5. Pick the securities you want to move and hit Submit.
6. When asked for the transfer type, choose External and hit Submit.

TreasuryDirect will give you a link to download FS Form 5511. Fill it out according to the instructions and mail it in. Same rule as before: your signature needs to be certified by an authorized official at a financial institution, not a notary.

While your request is being processed, the securities will show a Pending Transfer status in your account. Once everything is done, you’ll get a confirmation email and the transfer will show up in your account’s security history.