Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§471 Obligations or Securities of United States
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 25 — COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY › § 471
Summary
Forging U.S. securities to defraud risks fines, up to 20 years' prison, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §471
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, with intent to defraud, falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, or alters any obligation or other security of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 262 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 148, 35 Stat. 1115). Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative. Changes in phraseology were made.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2001—Pub. L. 107–56 substituted “20 years” for “fifteen years”. 1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 471
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102