Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102

§503 Postmarking Stamps

Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 25 — COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY › § 503

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Forging, making, using, selling, or possessing fake postmarks or impressions to use or sell is illegal. Penalty: a fine, up to five years' prison, or both.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §503

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whoever forges or counterfeits any postmarking stamp, or impression thereof with intent to make it appear that such impression is a genuine postmark, or makes or knowingly uses or sells, or possesses with intent to use or sell, any forged or counterfeited postmarking stamp, die, plate, or engraving, or such impression thereof, 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., § 349a (Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 692, 49 Stat. 866). Minor changes in phraseology were made.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 503

Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102