Yes, you can tape ripped money back together, and in many cases, it will still be accepted by banks and some retailers.
The best option is not to repair the damaged note yourself but to take it to the bank as is and ask the teller to swap it for you. Usually they won't ask questions.
I work in a bank and yes you can tape it back together, however a retailer can refuse it but most wont if done with clear tape.
Fix Torn Currency
Unfit currency should be exchanged—free of charge—for fit or clean banknotes and coins. Under BSP Circular No. 829, series of 2014, and the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MORB), banks are required to facilitate the processing and submission of the public's mutilated currency to the BSP for examination.
If the currency was flat when mutilated, do not roll, fold, laminate, tape, glue or in any other way alter the currency in an attempt to preserve it. If the currency was in a roll when mutilated, do not attempt to unroll or straighten it out. If coin or any other metal is mixed with the currency, carefully remove it.
Under regulations issued by the Department of the Treasury, mutilated United States currency may be exchanged at face value if: More than 50% of a note identifiable as United States currency is present.
Lawful holders of mutilated currency may receive a redemption at full value when: Clearly more than 50% of a note identifiable as United States currency is present, along with sufficient remnants of any relevant security feature; or.
If it's only partially ripped, you can tape it. This will allow it to go through counter. If completely separated, the bank will replace it provided you have both halves with matching serial number. Banks routinely send damaged currency to the treasury.
Can Banks or the Bank of England Replace Ripped or Damaged Notes?
You could tape the green stuff back together but be warned that merchants may not accept the bandaged bills. If you have, what the government refers to as, “mutilated money” then you can send the cash off to the Treasury for exchange.
Mutilated notes may be presented at any of the bank branches. The notes so presented shall be accepted, exchanged and adjudicated in accordance with Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Rules, 2009.
What do I do with damaged money? As long as the serial numbers on both halves match, you can scotch tape it back together and use it. If you'd rather take it to your bank to switch out, they will accept it and handle that for you with no problems as well!
Things that make a banknote unfit include graffiti or marks, minor heat damage, small holes, the presence of sticky tape or staples, tears or worn ink.
It is common for people to just put some Scotch tape on a bill when it gets ripped but that might not be the best way to deal with a “unfit” dollar bill. While some establishments may accept that “fixed” banknote, don't expect that to happen, and most likely a vending machine will reject it out right.
A specific type of misprinted $1 bill from the 2013 Series, particularly in matching pairs, can be worth up to $150,000 to collectors, due to an error where millions were printed with duplicate serial numbers. To identify one, check for a "Series 2013" date near George Washington's photo, a "B" Federal Reserve seal, and a serial number ending in a star (★) within specific ranges (e.g., B00000001★ - B00250000★).
Artist's tape, or Drafting Tape is specially made to come off of a surface cleanly, without tearing whatever it is put upon. It is more expensive than the other tapes that are discussed here, at around $7.00.
The Bank follows RBI guidelines in this respect. RBI has permitted the banks to exchange mutilated currency notes which are genuine and where mutilations are such as not to cause suspicion or fraud. Refund value of these notes is, however, paid as per RBI (Note refund) Rules.
Redeeming process
The Reserve Bank recommends that owners of damaged banknotes submit their damaged banknotes to their bank/financial institution. These institutions are encouraged by the Reserve Bank to accept all claims.
Because the individual notes on uncut currency sheets are legal tender, they may be cut apart and spent. Were you to do this, they would only be valued at their face value, even though you would have paid more than their cumulative value for the uncut currency sheet.
You can exchange damaged banknotes here:
Mutilated bank notes
These bank notes are likely too damaged or brittle to be used for payment, so you can send them to us for redemption.
Even ATMs sometimes dispense torn currency but obviously deposit machines won't accept them. But don't worry—banks are required to exchange soiled, mutilated, or torn notes for fresh ones, even if you're not their customer. Just visit a bank branch and get it replaced hassle-free!
Individuals, financial institutions, and businesses may contact the Department of the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) if they are in possession of mutilated U.S. currency, meaning that the currency has been damaged to the extent that one-half or less of the original note remains, or its condition is ...
Here's the rule: If you've got MORE than half of a torn bill, the bank must replace it with a new one for free ✅ But if it's less than half… it's worthless ❌ (otherwise people could cheat and double their cash 👀)