<P> "In God We Trust" is the official motto of the United States . It was adopted as the nation's motto in 1956 as an alternative or replacement to the unofficial motto of E pluribus unum, which was adopted when the Great Seal of the United States was created and adopted in 1782 . </P> <P> "In God We Trust" first appeared on the Two - cent piece in 1864 and has appeared on paper currency since 1957 . A law passed in a Joint Resolution by the 84th Congress (P.L. 84 - 140) and approved by President Dwight Eisenhower on July 30, 1956, declared "In God We Trust" must appear on American currency . This phrase was first used on paper money in 1957, when it appeared on the one - dollar silver certificate . The first paper currency bearing the phrase entered circulation on October 1, 1957 . The 84th Congress later passed legislation (P.L. 84 - 851), also signed by President Eisenhower on July 30, 1956, declaring the phrase to be the national motto . </P>

When did we add in god we trust