---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1002"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1002"
heading: "Possession of false papers to defraud United States"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1002"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 47 — Fraud and False Statements"
---

# §1002. Possession of false papers to defraud United States


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), knowingly and with intent to defraud the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), 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](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), or from any agency, [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c) or agent thereof, any sum of money, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 749; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### 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”.