Can I tape a ripped banknote?
It is common for people to just put some Scotch tape on a bill when it gets ripped but that might not be the best way to deal with a “unfit” dollar bill. While some establishments may accept that “fixed” banknote, don't expect that to happen, and most likely a vending machine will reject it out right.
In the United States, it is generally acceptable to tape a torn bill for personal use, but you should not attempt to spend it in that condition. The US Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has guidelines for handling damaged currency:
Damaged banknotes
We will reimburse you the full amount for genuine notes that have been accidentally damaged (provided there are sufficient fragments or remains). As a general rule, there should be evidence of at least half the note.
- Step 1: Prepare the Glue. Depending on what glue you use, you may need to experiment with this a little. ...
- Step 2: Apply Glue. To apply the glue I took about a drop of it on my finger tip and applied it across one edge of the torn note. ...
- Step 3: Join the Pieces. ...
- Step 4: All Finished.
Because full face value is not paid on incomplete banknotes, care should be taken when accepting incomplete banknotes. There is no obligation to accept an incomplete banknote in payment or change.
Under regulations issued by the Department of the Treasury, mutilated United States currency may be exchanged at face value if: More than 50% of a note identifiable as United States currency is present.
You can only deposit damaged notes into your own bank account. Other banks and the post offices refuse to take damaged notes. There is a way to exchange damaged notes by posting it to the bank of england or the bank of scotland as well, but this does come with the risk of losing your money.
In Short. A common concern for many is whether banks accept torn or damaged notes. However, individuals need not worry as they can exchange their soiled, mutilated, or defective notes at any bank across the country.
Lawful holders of mutilated currency may receive a redemption at full value when: Clearly more than 50% of a note identifiable as United States currency is present, along with sufficient remnants of any relevant security feature; or.
Many stores and merchants will not take torn or drawn-on bills, and even vending machines struggle to take heavily wrinkled ones. The good news is that even if a bill is torn in half, you can tape them together and exchange them at a Federal Reserve bank for fresh notes, as long as the serial numbers match.
What happens if you rip a money note?
A note with a significant piece missing is classified as incomplete and may not be worth its full face value. The Reserve Bank stipulates that the value of an incomplete bank note is proportional to the part of the note remaining: If less than 20% of the banknote is missing. Full face value is paid.
Brush Norbond on one side of the tissue, make certain the two sides of the tear are aligned correctly, and gently apply the tissue over the tear. Place a clean piece of waxed paper over the tissue and then use a plastic folder to firmly smooth the repair.

Mutilated banknotes can also be exchanged at a commercial bank where an individual's account is held. Designated commercial bank branches will then assess the value in line with the above guiding principles. For a list of designated branches, please see Commercial bank PDF.
The BEP's Mutilated Currency Division provides free mutilated currency redemption services to the public. Consumers should not send any currency directly to the Federal Reserve—including mutilated currency.
Unfit currency for redemption is currency which is unfit for further circulation because of its physical condition such as dirty, defaced, limp, torn, or worn. Unfit currency should not be forwarded to Bureau of Engraving and Printing for redemption, but may be exchanged at commercial financial institutions.
Most circulated Federal Reserve Notes from more modern series are worth no more than face value. Some of the early series notes (1928 and 1934) do carry a small premium, although for circulated notes this premium is small, usually 10% to 30%.
If the currency was flat when mutilated, do not roll, fold, laminate, tape, glue or in any other way alter the currency in an attempt to preserve it. If the currency was in a roll when mutilated, do not attempt to unroll or straighten it out. If coin or any other metal is mixed with the currency, carefully remove it.
These can also be exchanged at the counters of any public sector bank branch, any currency chest branch of a private sector bank or any Issue Office of the RBI without filling any form. To suit public convenience, the exchange facility for mutilated notes is also offered through TLR(Triple Lock Receptacle) covers.
Under section 333 of the U.S. Criminal Code, “whoever mutilates, cuts, defaces, disfigures, or perforates, or unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking association, or Federal Reserve bank, or the Federal Reserve System, ...
(1) A torn banknote
Please check the features of each piece carefully, such as the serial number, printed patterns, and color, to avoid sticking pieces of different banknotes together. The Bank may judge banknotes torn into shreds as having no value if they cannot be identified as pieces of the same banknote.
Is ripped money valid?
(KHON2) — If you accidentally ripped a dollar bill, you may not be completely out of luck. But what do you do with the mutilated moolah? According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, commercial banks will exchange your damaged, or “unfit” currency, for another, after some checks are made.
The Reserve Bank recommends that owners of damaged banknotes submit their damaged banknotes to their bank/financial institution. These institutions are encouraged by the Reserve Bank to accept all claims.
As long as more than half of the original note is clearly present—and it doesn't take special examination to determine the note's value—a commercial bank can then include the note in its deposit to the Federal Reserve.
(Note Refund Rules 2009 is available at RBI website www.rbi.org.in Publications>Occasional > RBI Note RefundRules) Notes presented in small number: Where the number of notes presented by a person is up to 20 pieces with a maximum value of ₹5,000 per day, banks shall exchange them over the counter, free of charge.
Yes. A bank can set its own internal policy as to whether it will accept or exchange unrolled coins for currency.