How To Get Damaged Currency Replaced: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

Home » What To Do With Ripped Money » How To Get Damaged Currency Replaced: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Get Damaged Currency Replaced: Expert-Backed Steps PDF download Download Article Properly submitting torn or damaged bills so you get the full amount back Co-authored by Ali Garbacz, B.A. Reviewed by Andrew Lokenauth

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Fact Checked

PDF download Download Article
  • Checking if Your Money Qualifies for Replacement
    • |
  • Packaging Damaged Currency
    • |
  • Submitting Your Currency & Receiving Payment
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was reviewed by Andrew Lokenauth and by wikiHow staff writer, Ali Garbacz, B.A.. Andrew Lokenauth is a Finance Expert who has over 15 years of experience working on Wall St. and in Tech & Start-ups. Andrew helps management teams translate their financials into actionable business decisions. He has held positions at Goldman Sachs, Citi, and JPMorgan Asset Management. He is the founder of Fluent in Finance, a firm that provides resources to help others learn to build wealth, understand the importance of investing, create a healthy budget, strategize debt pay-off, develop a retirement roadmap, and create a personalized investing plan. His insights have been quoted in Forbes, TIME, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Yahoo Finance, BankRate, and U.S. News. Andrew has a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (BBA), Accounting and Finance from Pace University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 474,208 times.

Money might not grow on trees, but, luckily, it can be replaced in the off chance it gets damaged. Even if you have a dollar bill completely torn in half, don’t worry! This article will walk you through the process of filing a request to get your damaged currency replaced so you don’t have to suffer the loss of any hard-earned cash.

How to Replaced Damaged Money

Take your money to be replaced at your local bank if damages are not too extensive, like minor tears, stains, or soilage. Send bills that have been extremely damaged by burns, chemical stains, or tears to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing with a letter explaining the damage.[1]

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Checking if Your Money Qualifies for Replacement

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Assess the damage. 1 Assess the damage. If your money has suffered minor damage (minor tears, stains, soilage, etc.) but is still legible and usable, go ahead and use that currency as is. If it’s damaged but not mutilated, but you don’t want to use that currency for some reason, you’re qualified to exchange that money at your local bank. Keep in mind that each bank will have its own policies regarding what kinds of damaged currency they can accept, and they might refer you to a higher institution instead.[2]
    • You can exchange damaged currency at any bank. If you want the money directly deposited into your bank account, go to the nearest branch of the bank you’ve opened an account with.
    • Mutilated currency is defined as having been damaged to the extent that one half or less of the currency remains, or it’s in such a condition that its value is questionable.[3]
    • Money that has been mutilated or extensively damaged beyond repair or use should be submitted to the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) or the U.S. Mint.
    • Do not falsify your claim or intentionally damage currency. Both are federal crimes that are taken very seriously by the U.S. government.[4]
  2. Step 2 Measure what’s left of your paper note. 2 Measure what’s left of your paper note. In the United States, you must submit more than half (over 50 percent) of the paper bill intact. This is in part to prevent people from ripping money in half and replacing both halves to get double the money. The only exception to this requirement is if less than 50 percent of the bill is intact, but there’s sufficient supporting evidence (such as burn marks) that the remainder of the bill has been destroyed.[5]
    • In addition to submitting the sufficient remains of a legible banknote, you must provide some remnant of the bill's security features.
    • Security features may include the security ribbon woven into the bill, the security thread that runs vertically to the left of the portrait, watermarks, or color-shifting ink.[6]
    • The banknote's value (5, 10, 20, 100, etc.) must be identifiable so that the treasury can determine how much money to reimburse you for if your claim goes through.
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Evaluate any coins you have for extensive damage. 3 Evaluate any coins you have for extensive damage. Unlike paper banknotes, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing does not replace damaged coins. Coins that are severely damaged, such as coins that have been melted or fused together, can be sent to the U.S. Mint for evaluation. The U.S. Mint will then determine the best course of action.[7]
    4. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Packaging Damaged Currency

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Preserve the money to the best of your ability. 1 Preserve the money to the best of your ability. Even though the money has been damaged, it may become even more damaged if handled carelessly. How you handle the money as you prepare to pack and ship it may help preserve it, ensuring that you get the equivalent amount of money back.[8]
    • If the currency was rolled up when it was mutilated, do not attempt to straighten it out. If it was flat, don’t roll, fold, tape, or glue it together somehow.
    • Altering the money in any way could further damage the currency, and may be seen as an attempt to alter or deface the money, which is against the law.
  2. Step 2 Package currency carefully to prevent further damage. 2 Package currency carefully to prevent further damage. How you package the currency may be the difference between getting money back and suffering financial losses. Package the currency in a way that will prevent any further damage and ensure a safe delivery.[9]
    • If the currency is brittle or may fall apart, pack the tattered money in a plastic sandwich bag with cotton to help insulate it and keep it in place.
    • Do not ship coins and paper currency together. The two forms of currency must be sent to separate offices, and packing coins with damaged paper money could cause further damage to the tattered banknote.
  3. Step 3 Compose a letter to explain the damage. 3 Compose a letter to explain the damage. Once you've carefully packed and preserved the damaged currency, write a letter to include with your money. Make the letter as legible as possible. Typing and printing it is the safest route to go. The letter should include:
    • The original value of the currency
    • Your name and current contact information (phone number and/or email)
    • A thorough explanation of how the money became damaged
    • Your current bank account and routing number (the bank must operate within the United States)
    • Your current mailing address and any relevant instructions in the case you want the money to come as a mailed check
    4. Advertisement
Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Submitting Your Currency & Receiving Payment

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Deliver currency in person to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. 1 Deliver currency in person to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. If you live in or near Washington, D.C., you can hand-deliver the damaged currency to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The Bureau accepts personal deliveries of damaged or mutilated currency between 8:00 am and 11:30 am and from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm.[10]
  2. Step 2 Mail your currency. 2 Mail your currency. If you don’t live in Washington, D.C. or can’t deliver the money in person for whatever reason, send the currency by mail through the US Postal Service. Pack up the damaged currency and your accompanying letter and send them through Registered Mail. Request a return receipt as well. Consider also purchasing insurance on the package to ensure that any losses are covered if the package becomes lost or damaged.[11]
    • If you’re submitting your cash via personal delivery, address it to the US Bureau of Engraving & Printing, MCD/OFM Room 344A, P.O. Box 37048, Washington, DC 20013.
    • If you’re using a courier to send it in (FedEx/UPS), send it to the BEP at MCD/OFM, Room 344A, 14th and C Streets SW, Washington, DC 20228
    • Damaged coins can be sent for evaluation to the U.S. Mint. Packages containing mutilated coins should be addressed to the Superintendent of the U.S. Mint, Attn.: Mutilated Coins, P.O. Box 400 - Philadelphia, PA 19105.[12]
  3. Step 3 Wait for your claim to be processed. 3 Wait for your claim to be processed. Once you've submitted your damaged currency to the proper office, you'll have to wait for the claim to be processed. Each case is reviewed by a qualified professional to determine the extent of the damage, confirm the banknote's value, and assess the validity of each claim.
    • Claims can take anywhere from 6 to 36 months to process. The evaluation process depends heavily on the condition of the money, the extent of damage, and the conditions under which it was damaged.
    • The Director of the BEP makes the final decision on all damaged currency claims.
    • To check the status of your claim at any time, you can call the BEP toll-free at (866)-575-2361, or email the office at [email protected].
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question How do I find a bank that will replace money? Community Answer Community Answer Most financial institutions will replace damaged bills as long as you have all the pieces and the serial numbers on both sides are intact. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 49 Helpful 102
  • Question What does "return receipt requested" mean when sending away damaged currency? Donagan Donagan Top Answerer It means you are asking the Postal Service to notify you in writing when it has delivered something you mailed. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 24
  • Question Can I get burned money replaced if the serial numbers on one side are visible? R2_d2000 R2_d2000 Top Answerer If most of the bill is still intact, then it will likely be replaced. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 40
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • Contact the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Mutilated Currency Division by calling (866) 575-2361 if you have any questions about your shipment.[13] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • The Superintendent of the United States Mint and the Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing have the final say in regards to the settlement of damaged currency. Appeals are not allowed. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
  • Intentionally mutilating currency is a federal crime. Falsifying a claim for reimbursement of damaged currency is also a federal crime.. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 5
  • Damaged currency that is confirmed to have been involved in a crime will not be replaced and may initiate an investigation into the matter. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Exchange Old MoneyHow toExchange Old Money Dry out Wet CurrencyHow toDry out Wet Currency Detect Counterfeit US MoneyHow toDetect Counterfeit US Money Straighten Out a Dollar BillHow toStraighten Out a Dollar Bill Check if a 1 Dollar Bill Is RealHow to Check If a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real File a Claim with USPSHow toFile a Claim with USPS Check if a 100 Dollar Bill Is RealHow toCheck if a 100 Dollar Bill Is Real Identify Counterfeit MoneyHow toIdentify Counterfeit Money What Is a Star NoteWhat is a Star Note? And Is It Valuable? Get Airline Compensation for Lost or Damaged BaggageHow toGet Airline Compensation for Lost or Damaged Baggage Fake 5 Dollar BillHow to Tell if a $5 Bill is Real or Counterfeit Send a Money Order Through the Post OfficeHow toSend a Money Order Through the Post Office Report Mail FraudHow toReport Mail Fraud File a Complaint with the Post OfficeHow to File USPS Complaints: Misconduct, Fraud, & More Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.frbsf.org/mutilated-currency/
  2. ↑ https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/branch-services/currency-bills-coins/damaged-currency.html
  3. ↑ https://www.frbsf.org/mutilated-currency/
  4. ↑ https://banknotes.rba.gov.au/legal/deliberate-damage/
  5. ↑ https://www.frbsf.org/mutilated-currency/
  6. ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/100
  7. ↑ https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/branch-services/currency-bills-coins/damaged-currency.html
  8. ↑ https://www.frbsf.org/mutilated-currency/
  9. ↑ https://www.bep.gov/services/mutilated-currency-redemption/packing-directions
More References (4)
  1. ↑ https://www.bep.gov/services/mutilated-currency-redemption
  2. ↑ https://www.bep.gov/services/mutilated-currency-redemption/submit-a-request
  3. ↑ https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/branch-services/currency-bills-coins/damaged-currency.html
  4. ↑ https://www.bep.gov/services/mutilated-currency-redemption/mutilated-currency-division-contact-information

About This Article

Andrew Lokenauth Reviewed by: Andrew Lokenauth Financial Literacy Expert This article was reviewed by Andrew Lokenauth and by wikiHow staff writer, Ali Garbacz, B.A.. Andrew Lokenauth is a Finance Expert who has over 15 years of experience working on Wall St. and in Tech & Start-ups. Andrew helps management teams translate their financials into actionable business decisions. He has held positions at Goldman Sachs, Citi, and JPMorgan Asset Management. He is the founder of Fluent in Finance, a firm that provides resources to help others learn to build wealth, understand the importance of investing, create a healthy budget, strategize debt pay-off, develop a retirement roadmap, and create a personalized investing plan. His insights have been quoted in Forbes, TIME, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Yahoo Finance, BankRate, and U.S. News. Andrew has a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (BBA), Accounting and Finance from Pace University. This article has been viewed 474,208 times. 42 votes - 85% Co-authors: 16 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 474,208 Categories: Banks and Financial Institutions Article SummaryX

To get damaged currency replaced, first put it in a plastic sandwich bag with cotton to keep it safe from further damage. If you have damaged coins and paper currency, package them separately, since they’re processed by different offices. Then, type a letter to include with your currency that provides your name and contact information, the original value of the currency, and how the currency was damaged. When your letter and currency are ready to go, take or mail them to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, DC. To learn how to check the claim status of your damaged currency once you’ve sent it, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 474,208 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Hugh Quigley

    Hugh Quigley

    Jan 22, 2022

    "Soda spilled on my bill and I only found out about it weeks later. It was a gross, sticky mess! The bank..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Andrew Lokenauth Reviewed by: Andrew Lokenauth Financial Literacy Expert Co-authors: 16 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 474,208 85% of readers found this article helpful. 42 votes - 85% Click a star to add your vote Hugh Quigley

Hugh Quigley

Jan 22, 2022

"Soda spilled on my bill and I only found out about it weeks later. It was a gross, sticky mess! The bank..." more Kelly McSwain

Kelly McSwain

Oct 8, 2016

"Helps finding out where and how to send damaged money. We have survived a hurricane and have damaged currency but..." more Mike Buckingham

Mike Buckingham

Jun 25, 2016

"Great info. I learned a lot. Lots of contact info. This site reminded me that a lot of damaged currency or coins..." more Donald Edward Curry

Donald Edward Curry

Sep 8, 2020

"I went to my financial institute and they were not helpful at all. I got all the information I needed from this..." more Gertrude Clark

Gertrude Clark

Mar 14, 2019

"All is not lost. I now know where to send the damaged bill and have some idea of how long it may take." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

Rare Dollar Bill Value CalculatorRare Dollar Bill Value CalculatorAnalyzeFind Out How Much Your Dime is WorthFind Out How Much Your Dime is WorthAnalyzeFinish the Phrase QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizTake QuizAm I a Bad Person QuizAm I a Bad Person QuizTake QuizWhat Would I Do As President QuizWhat Would I Do As President QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Exchange Old MoneyHow toExchange Old MoneyDry out Wet CurrencyHow toDry out Wet CurrencyDetect Counterfeit US MoneyHow toDetect Counterfeit US MoneyStraighten Out a Dollar BillHow toStraighten Out a Dollar Bill

Trending Articles

Answer These Questions, And We'll Judge YouAnswer These Questions, And We'll Judge YouMental Illness TestMental Illness TestGuess My Age QuizGuess My Age QuizWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Emojis Mean Sex?How Sexual Am I QuizHow Sexual Am I Quiz5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape

Watch Articles

Impress a Girl on a First DateHow toImpress a Girl on a First DateWhat Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?What Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?Wear a HoodieHow toWear a HoodieChiffonadeHow toChiffonadeMake a Fabric RoseHow toMake a Fabric RoseConfront a BullyHow toConfront a Bully

Trending Articles

What Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat's My Hottest Feature QuizWhat's My Hottest Feature QuizHow Weird Am I QuizHow Weird Am I QuizWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanKiss PassionatelyHow toKiss Passionately210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-Blowing210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-Blowing

Quizzes & Games

How Lucky Am I QuizHow Lucky Am I QuizTake QuizAm I Smart QuizAm I Smart QuizTake QuizImpossible English TestImpossible English TestTake QuizDo You Have What It Takes To Become A Millionaire?Do You Have What It Takes To Become A Millionaire?Take QuizAm I the Ultimate Hamilton Superfan QuizAm I the Ultimate Hamilton Superfan QuizTake QuizHow Rich Will I Be QuizHow Rich Will I Be QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Finance and Business
  • Banks and Financial Institutions
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Let's go! X --576

Tag » What To Do With Ripped Money