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User Guide Sections 601 Through 610


User Guide 601

Page Title: Password

What you can do on this page

To log on, enter your password, then click the "Submit" button. (Your Password is case sensitive.)

If you have previously chosen a personalized image/caption, it will appear on the Password page. Your personalized image/caption helps you to know that you are on the authentic TreasuryDirect website.

Also, you're given other options, depending on your needs and circumstances:

  • If you can't remember your Password, click the Forgot your Password? link.
  • If your personalized image/caption is incorrect, click the Incorrect Personalized Image? link.

Primary Actions

  • Click "Submit" to go to the Welcome page inside your account. Depending on your circumstances, you may first be asked to verify your e-mail address, choose a personalized image/caption, and/or see a C of I purchase disclosure page.
  • Click "Cancel" to return to the Account Number page.

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User Guide 602

Page Title: One Time Passcode (OTP)

What you can do on this page

When this page is displayed, a One Time Passcode (OTP) is required in order for you to log into your account. The OTP provides an additional form of authentication.

When the ATTENTION message is displayed at the top of the page, your NEW OTP will have been sent to your e-mail account. Go to your e-mail account and find your NEW OTP and enter it into the Enter your OTP: box. (The OTP is case sensitive and is good for 24 hours, or until it is successfully submitted on the OTP page.)

Click the "Submit" button, and the next screen will be the Password page.


If you close your browser and you return before the OTP expires (24 hours), the REMINDER message is displayed at the top of the page informing you that we previously sent an OTP to your e-mail account. Go to your e-mail account for your OTP, and enter it into the Enter your OTP: box.

If you need to request another e-mail containing the OTP, click on the we will resend the OTP link. When the NOTICE message is displayed at the top of the page, your OTP will have been resent to your e-mail account. Go to your e-mail account for your OTP, and enter it into the Enter your OTP: box.

Watch our TreasuryDirect demo on how to login to your account.

Primary Actions

  • Click "Submit" to go to the Password page to continue the log in process.
  • Click "Cancel" to return to the Account Number page.

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User Guide 607

Page Title: Open an Account > Personalized Image / Caption

What you can do on this page

As part of the process of keeping your account secure, you will be asked to choose a personalized image and create a caption when you open a TreasuryDirect account. Your personalized image/caption helps you to know that you are on the authentic TreasuryDirect website.

To choose a personalized image and create a caption:

  • Click the radio button that corresponds with the personalized image you want. (Click the Show me more images link to see more randomly displayed images.)
  • Enter a caption (3 - 30 alphanumeric characters - no special characters).

Primary Actions

  • Click "Submit" to go to the Choose a Password page.

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User Guide 608

Learn More About Funding Options

We offer three ways for you to pay for securities you buy in TreasuryDirect.

Bank Account

You can pay using either your checking or savings account at a bank. When you apply for an account in TreasuryDirect, you give us information about one of your bank accounts. When you buy a security in TreasuryDirect, you can choose that bank account as the source of funds.

Zero-Percent Certificate of Indebtedness

The Zero-Percent Certificate of Indebtedness (Zero-Percent C of I or, simply, C of I) is a Treasury security that doesn't earn interest. It is intended to be used as a source of funds for purchasing Treasury securities.

Payroll Zero-Percent Certificate of Indebtedness

The Payroll Zero-Percent Certificate of Indebtedness (Payroll C of I) is a Treasury security that doesn't earn interest. It is intended to be used as a source of funds for purchasing Series EE and Series I savings bonds through the Payroll Savings Plan.

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Further Reading

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