Can I Tape Ripped Money and Still Use It?

United States currency is designed for durability, using a blend of cotton and linen fibers that make it more resilient than ordinary paper. Bills can still experience damage through everyday use, accidental tears, or more severe incidents. For minor tears, it is often possible to tape the currency, and it may still be accepted in transactions, depending on the extent of the damage. The crucial factor determining usability is the overall integrity of the bill after repair.

Criteria for Acceptable Taped Currency

When a U.S. dollar bill is torn, its continued acceptance in everyday transactions largely depends on how much of the original note remains and whether its key security features are still discernible. A commonly applied guideline is the “more than half” rule, which means that over 50% of the original bill must be present for it to retain its value. If less than half of a bill is available, it is typically considered too damaged for general use.

Beyond the physical proportion, the integrity of the serial numbers is also important. Each U.S. dollar bill features two serial numbers, and both must be intact and match for the currency to be readily accepted. Furthermore, critical security features designed to prevent counterfeiting must remain visible and authentic. These include watermarks, security threads, and color-shifting ink, which changes appearance when the bill is tilted. These features confirm the bill’s authenticity and are examined by businesses and financial institutions.

If you are taping a ripped bill, using clear adhesive tape is recommended to avoid obscuring any part of the design or security features. The torn pieces should be carefully aligned edge-to-edge, ensuring there is no overlap or gaps that could compromise the bill’s structure or hide identifying marks. Proper alignment also helps maintain the continuity of the serial numbers and other printed elements. While a carefully taped bill meeting these criteria can be spent, some individual merchants may still decline it due to their own policies or a lack of familiarity with damaged currency guidelines. In such cases, a bank is a more reliable option for exchange.

Exchanging Severely Damaged Currency

For currency that is too severely damaged for simple taping and everyday use, specific procedures exist for exchange. This applies to bills that do not meet the “more than half” rule, or those that are burned, heavily soiled, or deteriorated. Such currency is often referred to as “unfit” or “mutilated” currency, depending on the extent of the damage.

Local commercial banks may, at their discretion, exchange currency that is slightly damaged but not considered “mutilated.” This could include bills with minor tears that don’t meet the “more than half” requirement for general spending, or those that are excessively worn or defaced. Banks provide this as a convenience service to their customers, and while many will accept such notes, they are not obligated to do so, and their policies can vary. These “unfit” notes are then sent by the banks to the Federal Reserve for removal from circulation.

For significantly damaged currency, categorized as “mutilated currency,” the official process for redemption is handled by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). Mutilated currency is defined as a note where 50% or less of the original note remains, or its condition is such that its value is questionable without expert examination. Common causes of severe damage include fire, water, chemicals, explosives, and animal damage. To submit such currency to the BEP, individuals must include a letter detailing the estimated value and explaining how the damage occurred.

The submission process to the BEP requires careful packaging of the damaged currency, recommending that fragments not be disturbed further, especially if they are brittle or in a container. All mailed or in-person deliveries must include a completed and signed BEP Form 5283. This form collects essential information, including submitter details, estimated value, and banking information for direct deposit of the redemption payment. Claims of $500 or more must be paid electronically into a U.S. bank account. While there is no fee for this service, processing times can vary from six months to three years, depending on the complexity of the case and the BEP’s workload, and the Director of the BEP has the final authority regarding redemption decisions.