Is it Illegal to Write or Draw on US Money? Rules About Defacing Money

It has long been believed that writing, drawing, or making any mark on U.S. currency is defacing currency, and is illegal. This is not true for paper money, however, only for coins. Paper money is held to different rules then coins, and legally be 'deface' by a user who draws on it or otherwise marks it. There are some things that you cannot due to paper money, however, and that includes:

- Destroying: You cannot destroy, tear, or mutilate paper money so that it is no longer usable or recognizable.

- Altering: You cannot alter paper money in such a way that it is no longer recognizable, or so that it appears to be worth a different value than it is. For example, if you stamp a logo on the paper money, it will probably be fine. If you alter the number and image on it so that it appears to be worth more (making $1 look like $10, for example), then you are committing fraud, creating counterfeit money, and you will arrested.

So why do people think that drawing on money is illegal? Like many things both past and present, some individuals learn the laws only partway, and they spread thin information to other individuals, who take their word for it instead of looking up the laws themselves. As information spreads via word-of-mouth, it becomes altered in some ways, until an incorrect version is believed to be true.

The best way to stop this cycle of misinformation is to correct anyone you hear who has misunderstood the law and is spreading incorrect information. Do this politely, as there is no need to become angry or emotional over it. If you want to point them to further resources that demonstrate the correct law regarding defacing of money and fraud, tell them to look at http://www.lawforkids.org/speakup/view_question.cfm?id=407 , where the law about what can and cannot be done to paper money is answered.