18 USC § 3109 - Breaking doors or windows for entry or exit

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s3109"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 3109 - Breaking doors or windows for entry or exit"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "3109"
section_name: "Breaking doors or windows for entry or exit"
chapter_number: 205
chapter_name: "SEARCHES AND SEIZURES"
part_number: "II"
part_name: "CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 820.)"
---


# § 3109. Breaking doors or windows for entry or exit

The officer may break open any outer or inner door or window of a house, or any part of a house, or anything therein, to execute a search warrant, if, after notice of his authority and purpose, he is refused admittance or when necessary to liberate himself or a person aiding him in the execution of the warrant.

---

**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 820.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 618, 619 (, title XI, §§ 8, 9, ).

Said sections 618 and 619 were consolidated with minor changes in phraseology but without change of substance.