---
title: O.C.G.A. § 11-3-407. Alteration.
collection: code
id: 11-3-407
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 11-3-407 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/11-3-407
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/11-3-407.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/11-3-407/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t11-(v9)-2022-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=b5451bbd_0#page=429
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/11-3.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/11-3-406.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/11-3-408.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: COMMERCIAL CODE / NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS / LIABILITY OF PARTIES
---

# O.C.G.A. § 11-3-407. Alteration.

(a) “Alteration” means (i) an unauthorized change in an instrument that purports to modify in any respect the obligation of a party; or (ii) an unauthorized addition of words or numbers or other change to an incomplete instrument relating to the obligation of a party.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this Code section, an alteration fraudulently made discharges a party whose obligation is affected by the alteration unless that party assents or is precluded from asserting the alteration. No other alteration discharges a party, and the instrument may be enforced according to its original terms.

(c) A payor bank or drawee paying a fraudulently altered instrument or a person taking it for value, in good faith and without notice of the alteration, may enforce rights with respect to the instrument (i) according to its original terms; or (ii) in the case of an incomplete instrument altered by unauthorized completion, according to its terms as completed.

## History

Code 1981, § 11-3-407, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 1306, § 3.

## Cross References

Alteration of written contracts generally, § 13-4-1 et seq.

## Law Reviews

For article discussing parol evidence in the law of commercial paper, see 13 Ga. L. Rev. 53 (1978).