Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Overview
The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) develops and produces United States currency notes. As its primary function, the BEP prints billions of dollars &mdash; referred to as Federal Reserve Notes &mdash; each year for delivery to the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve operates as the nation's central bank and serves to ensure that adequate amounts of currency and coin are in circulation.

The BEP also advises other Federal agencies on document security matters. In addition, the BEP processes claims for the redemption of mutilated currency. The BEP's research and development efforts focus on the continued use of automation in the production process and counterfeit deterrent technologies for use in security documents, especially U.S. currency.

The BEP maintains computer files on all currency research that is done at the request of law enforcement agencies. If a match is made, e.g., by serial numbers, the Bureau will notify the law enforcement agency of the match.