Damaged Dollars

Every year, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) processes over 22,000 requests to exchange damaged U.S. notes for usable bills. Individuals, businesses, and financial institutions can submit mutilated notes—damaged by chemicals, fire, water, or even animals—to the BEP for exchange at no cost.

However, the damaged notes must meet certain requirements in order to be replaced. More than 50 percent of the bill must be identifiable and have evidence of its mutilation. If less than 50 percent of the bill remains, it can still be exchanged if there is proof the rest was destroyed.

In order to prevent fraud, certain notes are ineligible:

• Bills showing signs of intentional damage or attempts to defraud the U.S. system will be destroyed or retained as evidence.

• Notes linked to criminal activities will also be destroyed or kept as evidence.

• Significantly altered bills are not exchangeable.

• Fragments that do not correspond to U.S. currency are ineligible.

• If a note meets requirements but lacks proof of complete destruction, it cannot be exchanged.

Those interested in exchanging damaged bills can visit the BEP’s website for instructions on how to submit a request.