Banks will replace damaged U.S. currency if enough of the bill remains to identify it
If you have a bill that is torn, burned, faded, or otherwise damaged, your bank can send it to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for examination. The bureau will determine whether the damage is severe enough to warrant replacement. You do not pay a fee for this service, and the bank handles the submission on your behalf.
The key question is whether enough of the bill survives to prove its value and authenticity. A bill that is more than half present, or one where the serial numbers and security features are still visible, has a strong chance of replacement. A bill that is mostly ash or only scattered fragments may not be replaceable, but the bureau will still examine it.
The process takes time — typically four to eight weeks — because the bureau receives thousands of damaged bills each year and examines each one individually. You will not receive the same bill back; instead, you will receive a new bill of the same denomination.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank can submit damaged currency to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing at no cost to you.
- Replacement is most likely if more than half the bill remains or if serial numbers and security features are still visible.
- The bureau typically takes four to eight weeks to examine and replace damaged bills.
- You receive a new bill in return, not the original damaged one.
- Some damage — such as bills that have been cut in half — may still may have access to if both halves are submitted together.
What counts as damage the bureau will examine
The bureau accepts bills damaged by fire, water, mold, insects, chemicals, or physical wear. Burned bills are common — people accidentally launder money, store it near heat sources, or lose it in house fires. Water-damaged bills from floods or leaks are also frequently submitted. Faded bills, bills with large tears, and bills that have been chewed by animals all fall within the bureau's scope.
The bureau also handles bills that have been deliberately cut or torn. If you cut a bill in half by accident and have both pieces, submit them together. The bureau can often reconstruct enough of the bill to confirm its value. If you have only one half, your chances of replacement drop significantly, but the bureau will still examine it.
Stains, discoloration, and missing corners do not automatically disqualify a bill. The bureau looks at the overall condition and whether the bill's value can be determined. A bill with a large stain but intact serial numbers may still be replaced.
How to submit damaged money to your bank
Visit your bank in person with the damaged bill or bills. Tell a teller that you want to submit currency for examination by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The teller will place the bill in a special envelope or form provided by the bank, record the denomination and serial number if visible, and send it to the bureau on your behalf.
Do not attempt to repair the bill yourself before submitting it. Do not tape it, glue it, or try to clean it. The bureau needs to see the damage as it exists. If the bill is extremely fragile — such as ash or charred fragments — place it gently in a small container or envelope to prevent further deterioration during shipping.
Some banks may ask you to fill out a brief form describing how the bill was damaged. This information helps the bureau prioritize and categorize submissions, but it is not required for replacement consideration. Be honest about the damage, but do not worry if you cannot describe it in detail.
What happens if the bureau cannot replace your bill
If the damage is too severe to determine the bill's value with certainty, the bureau will deny the replacement request. This happens when less than half the bill remains, when both sides are completely illegible, or when the bill has been so thoroughly destroyed that its denomination cannot be confirmed.
If your claim is denied, the bureau will return the bill to you through your bank, usually with a brief explanation. You will not receive money in return. At that point, the bill is considered a total loss. Some people keep denied bills as a record of what happened; others discard them.
Denial does not mean you did anything wrong. It straightforward means the physical evidence was not sufficient to prove the bill's value. The bureau's standard is strict because counterfeit bills and fraud attempts do occur, and the bureau must protect against them.
Damaged money from specific events
If your money was damaged in a house fire, flood, or other disaster, the process is the same: submit it through your bank. The bureau does not require proof of the disaster, though you may be asked to describe it. Thousands of bills are submitted each year following natural disasters, and the bureau has systems in place to handle high volumes.
If your money was damaged by a business — such as a laundromat that destroyed bills in a washing machine, or a bank that damaged currency during processing — you may have a separate claim against that business. Submitting the bill to the bureau for replacement does not prevent you from pursuing a civil claim. However, the bureau's replacement is your primary remedy for the lost value.
If the damage was caused by an animal, such as a dog chewing a bill or rodents destroying stored cash, the process remains the same. The bureau does not investigate the cause; it only examines whether the bill can be replaced based on what remains.
Timeline and what to expect
After you submit the bill to your bank, the bank sends it to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's Mutilated Currency Division in Washington, D.C. The bureau batches submissions and processes them in order. Four to eight weeks is typical, but during high-volume periods — such as after major disasters — the wait can extend to three months or longer.
You will not receive updates during the examination period. The bureau does not send progress reports. When the examination is complete, your bank will be notified of the result, and the replacement bill (if approved) or the original bill (if denied) will be returned to your bank. Your bank will then contact you or hold the money for you to pick up.
If you submitted multiple bills, they may be processed at different times. Do not assume all bills have been rejected if you receive some back before others.
Coins and foreign currency
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing handles only U.S. paper currency. Damaged coins are handled by the U.S. Mint, which has its own process. If you have damaged coins, ask your bank whether they can submit them to the Mint, or contact the Mint directly.
Foreign currency is not replaced by U.S. government agencies. If you have damaged bills from another country, you would need to contact that country's central bank or currency authority. Most banks in the United States cannot help with foreign currency replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit money that is only partially burned?
Yes. If any portion of the bill remains and the serial numbers or security features are visible, submit it. The bureau will examine it and determine whether replacement is possible. Partial burns are among the most common submissions the bureau receives.
What if I have a bill that was cut in half?
Submit both halves together if you have them. The bureau can often reconstruct enough to confirm the value and denomination. If you have only one half, submit that half; the bureau will still examine it, though replacement is less likely.
Do I need to bring a receipt or proof of the damage?
No. The bureau does not require documentation of how the bill was damaged or proof that you owned it. Your bank will record the submission, and that is sufficient. straightforward describe the damage to the teller if asked.
How much does it cost to replace damaged money?
There is no fee. The service is free through your bank and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Your bank does not charge you, and the bureau does not charge the bank.
What if my bank says they cannot submit damaged money?
Most banks offer this service, but some smaller institutions may not be set up to do so. If your bank declines, ask whether they can refer you to another bank that handles mutilated currency submissions, or contact the Bureau of Engraving and Printing directly to ask about mailing damaged bills yourself.