Codified text.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully—
(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;
(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both. If the matter relates to an offense under chapter 109A, 109B, 110, or 117, or section 1591, then the term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be not more than 8 years.
Codified text.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a party to a judicial proceeding, or that party's counsel, for statements, representations, writings or documents submitted by such party or counsel to a judge or magistrate in that proceeding.
Codified text.
(c) With respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch, subsection (a) shall apply only to—
(1) administrative matters, including a claim for payment, a matter related to the procurement of property or services, personnel or employment practices, or support services, or a document required by law, rule, or regulation to be submitted to the Congress or any office or officer within the legislative branch; or
(2) any investigation or review, conducted pursuant to the authority of any committee, subcommittee, commission or office of the Congress, consistent with applicable rules of the House or Senate.
Editorial commentary — not part of the primary text.
Editorial note. Source credits are preserved as editorial metadata derived from the official Office of the Law Revision Counsel publication.
Editorial note. June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 749; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 104–292, § 2, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3459; Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, § 6703(a), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3766; Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 141(c), July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 603.
Revision history
- 1948-06-25 — Enacted as part of the Title 18 recodification (act of June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 749).
- 1994-09-13 — Amended by section 330016(1)(L) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-322, 108 Stat. 2147).
- 1996-10-11 — Amended by the False Statements Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-292, § 2, 110 Stat. 3459).
- 2004-12-17 — Amended by section 6703(a) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-458, 118 Stat. 3766).
- 2006-07-27 — Amended by section 141(c) of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-248, 120 Stat. 603).