Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Ocelot II

(131,025 posts)

4. No, it isn't illegal to write on it.

Reply to Lovie777 (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 24, 2026, 02:43 PM

Friday

The federal statute says it's illegal to "mutilate, cut, deface, disfigure, or perforate" a bill with intent to render it unfit for reissue. If writing on it doesn't damage it to the point where it can't be used, and you didn't intend to make it unusable, it's perfectly fine.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

6 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

tavernier niyad Wednesdays Old Crank love_katz Prof. Toru Tanaka

18 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I keep getting texts about Rump's name about to be on all our printed money. [View all] tavernier Friday OP

Illegal.................. Lovie777 Friday #1

I approve. And it's NOT illegal to draw on dollar bills. jls4561 Friday #3

No, it isn't illegal to write on it. Ocelot II Friday #4

His name on it makes it "unfit for reissue." Sogo Friday #8

Any bill you deface will have your fingerprints on it so not a good idea. Chakaconcarne Friday #5

It's not illegal to write on a bill unless it makes it unusable, so don't worry about it. Ocelot II Friday #6

At one point the Jacksonville Federal Reserve had $100 bills worth millions so contaminated with coke flashman13 Friday #15

People have been marking bills for decades. Fingerprints? How many hundreds niyad Friday #7

And for that matter I have a whole box Tree Lady Friday #9

I have a great many myself. On the other hand, my fingerprints niyad Friday #10

And the DNA of every other person who touched or breathed on it. 🤔 littlemissmartypants Friday #13

pedo/rapist/traitor on any bill that I cannot refuse (cash back from niyad Friday #2

I can't wait. 3Hotdogs Friday #11

I think I will write "is a pedophile" not a texan Friday #12

When Trump's name appears on the currency . . . AverageOldGuy Friday #14

all I know is Skittles Friday #16

You are all invited to my friend's stamping party after that disgustng niyad Friday #17

If near a casino, the bills will probably be accepted in slot machines with small amount of writing. RoeVWade Friday #18