Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§1002 Possession of False Papers to Defraud United States
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 47 — FRAUD AND FALSE STATEMENTS › § 1002
Summary
Knowingly possessing fake or altered papers to help someone get money from the U.S. government is a crime punishable by a fine or up to five years in prison.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1002
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, knowingly and with intent to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof, possesses any false, altered, forged, or counterfeited writing or document for the purpose of enabling another to obtain from the United States, or from any agency, officer or agent thereof, any sum of money, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 74 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 30, 35 Stat. 1094). Words “or any agency thereof” after “United States” and word “agency” after “any” and before “officer,” were inserted to eliminate any possible ambiguity as to scope of section. (See definition of “agency” in section 6 of this title.) The maximum fine of “$10,000” was substituted for “$500” in order to conform punishment provisions to those of comparable sections. (See section 1001 of this title.) Minor verbal change was made.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1002
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102