18 USC § 497 - Letters patent

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s497"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 497 - Letters patent"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "497"
section_name: "Letters patent"
chapter_number: 25
chapter_name: "COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "CRIMES"
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. 712; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)"
---


# § 497. Letters patent

Whoever falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, or alters any letters patent granted or purporting to have been granted by the President of the United States; or

Whoever passes, utters, or publishes, or attempts to pass, utter, or publish as genuine, any such letters patent, knowing the same to be forged, counterfeited or falsely altered—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

---

**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 712; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 71 (, ).

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

Changes were made in phraseology.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994— substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.