It is not unusual to find a torn or scuffed banknote in a pocket or wallet and wonder if it will still be accepted. The rules around damaged cash and legal tender can feel a bit murky, especially when someone needs to spend or exchange a ripped note quickly.
This guide explains whether shops have to accept damaged notes, how retailers make decisions at the till, and what actually counts as a damaged banknote. It also covers how much of a note needs to be left, how best to present a torn note, and what to do if a shop refuses it.
You will find practical routes for exchanging damaged notes at a bank or Post Office, how to use the Bank of England’s replacement service, and where to find reliable, up-to-date guidance.
Are Shops Legally Required To Accept Torn Banknotes?
Shops are not legally obliged to accept any specific form of payment, including banknotes, damaged or otherwise. Each retailer sets its own policy on what it will take, and that can include refusing torn or heavily marked cash.
Legal tender has a very specific meaning in the UK. It relates to the settlement of a court-enforced debt, not everyday shopping. In normal purchases, payment is by agreement between buyer and seller rather than a legal requirement to accept a particular method.
If someone offers a ripped note, staff may decline it if they are unsure about its condition or authenticity, or if company policy says not to accept altered or incomplete notes. The same approach is used in other cash-handling venues, which may refuse notes that cannot be verified. With that in mind, what actually counts as damage?
What Counts As A Damaged Or Ripped Banknote?
A damaged or ripped banknote is any note that is no longer whole or has been altered from its original state. That might include tears, missing pieces, heavy creasing, staining, burning, writing or water damage. Some notes have been put back together with tape, while others are faded or fragile after a trip through the wash.
The most common forms are:
- Tears or rips, whether small or large
- Significant pieces missing
- Heavy staining, ink marks or scribbles
- Heat or fire damage causing melting, shrinkage or holes
- Washing machine damage that leaves the note faded, brittle or easily torn
Retailers and banks usually check how severe the damage is and whether security features are still visible before deciding to accept or exchange a note. Knowing the typical types of damage leads to the next question: how much of the note needs to be left?
How Much Of A Note Must Remain For It To Be Passed As Legal Tender?
In practice, whether a damaged note is accepted or exchanged depends on how much of it remains and whether key security features are intact. The Bank of England typically expects more than half of the original note to be present. For polymer notes, that includes features such as the see-through window and holographic elements.
If a large part of the note is missing, retailers or banks may refuse it. The Bank of England can assess fragments and may issue a replacement if the pieces provide enough evidence that the note is genuine and the missing portion has not already been paid out elsewhere.
It is sensible to keep badly damaged notes separate from spending money and avoid further wear until they can be checked or exchanged. From policy to practice, how do tills and cash desks make the final call?
How Do Retailers Decide Whether To Accept A Damaged Note?
Retailers look for recognisable security features and a note that is complete enough to verify. Staff may check the hologram, microtext, raised print and transparent window on polymer notes. If too much is missing or the note appears altered, acceptance is less likely.
Many shops have in-house rules on damaged cash. Some accept neatly taped notes when the pieces align and the features are clear, while others avoid any note that looks repaired or tampered with. Larger chains often require staff to follow set procedures for consistency.
To avoid delays, it helps to offer the most intact note available and present it flat, clean and easy to inspect. If the note is in poor shape, taking it to a bank for assessment can save time at the till. So what happens if a retailer still says no?
Can A Shop Refuse A Genuine But Torn Note?
Yes. A shop can refuse a banknote even if it is genuine but damaged. Retailers are not legally required to accept a particular payment method, and staff may decline a ripped note if they cannot check its features or if store policy says not to accept it.
A refusal does not mean the note has lost all value. There are recognised routes to exchange or replace it, which brings us to banks, the Post Office and the Bank of England’s own service.
Can You Exchange Ripped Notes At Your Bank Or Post Office?
Many banks and some Post Office branches will look at damaged notes for existing customers. If staff are satisfied that enough of the note remains and the features are genuine, they may credit the value to an account or offer a replacement. Not all branches provide this service, so it is worth checking ahead of time. Identification may be requested, and in some cases, a brief explanation of how the damage occurred.
How To Submit A Damaged Banknote To The Bank Of England For Replacement
If a bank or Post Office will not accept the note, it is possible to apply directly to the Bank of England’s Damaged Banknote service. The application is sent by post along with the note itself. Specialists review what has been received and decide whether a full or partial value can be issued. Processing can take several weeks, depending on the case and volume of claims.
For the application, they typically ask for:
- A completed damaged banknote application form from the Bank of England website
- Proof of identity and address, where required
- The damaged note, packaged securely and posted to the address on the form
This route provides a clear, official way to resolve even severe damage and recover the value where the evidence supports it.
What To Do If A Shop Refuses To Accept A Ripped Note?
If a shop declines a damaged note, another retailer might accept it if the damage is minor and the features are easy to check. Continued refusal is common once pieces are missing or the note has been heavily marked.
A straightforward option is to visit your bank or building society and ask for an assessment. Where the note meets the criteria, the value may be credited to your account. If branch staff cannot help, the Bank of England’s postal service is designed for cases just like this and can handle notes that are torn, burned or in several pieces.
Keeping a damaged note separate from spending cash and seeking an exchange promptly usually prevents further issues later on.
How To Repair Or Present A Torn Note Safely To Increase Acceptance?
When a note is torn into parts, keeping all pieces together and aligning the edges helps others verify the features. Clear adhesive tape can hold the pieces in place, but using only as much as is needed avoids covering print, the window or the hologram.
Gentle handling matters. Keeping the note flat, dry and free of extra marks makes inspection easier, and a wallet slot away from coins or keys helps prevent more wear. If offering a repaired note, showing both sides clearly gives staff the best chance to check the features quickly. Some retailers will still decline a taped note, so if the damage is obvious, exchanging it through a bank or the Bank of England is often more reliable.
Where Can I Find Official Guidance On Damaged Banknotes?
For the final word on damaged notes, the Bank of England is the authoritative source. Its website explains what counts as damage, what evidence is needed for a replacement, and how the assessment works, along with answers to common questions. Local banks and some Post Office branches can also outline their own policies on accepting or exchanging damaged cash.
Using these official routes keeps things simple, protects the value of your money, and helps everyday transactions run smoothly.
