Licensed businesses in England and Wales can now accept certified digital proof of age when selling alcohol, giving customers a phone-based alternative to a physical identity document. The rules took effect on September 15 and apply to pubs, bars, restaurants, shops, music venues and festivals.
Use of the technology is voluntary for both businesses and customers. Physical documents remain valid, while participating venues can choose services certified under the UK’s Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework. The framework sets rules for providers that verify identity information and share trusted results with other organizations.
A participating service can confirm that a customer is at least 18 without displaying other information printed on a physical ID, such as a name or home address. Depending on the service and equipment, the customer could show a QR code for staff to scan or tap a phone against a compatible reader. Staff then receive a result confirming whether the age check has passed.
The legal change completes a process that began when the government proposed adding digital verification services to alcohol age checks. Providers have since prepared integrations for hospitality businesses, including a Yoti and Licensing Connect system for pubs.
Certified providers must check that an identity document is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it before returning an age result. The government said that process can reduce the risk of fake or borrowed documents being accepted, while the limited over-18 result can expose less personal information than handing over a driving licence or passport.
Businesses remain responsible for preventing underage sales and can continue to use their established policies for checking customers. Updated statutory guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 reflects the new option, and separate guidance explains the requirements for licensed premises and digital verification providers.
The government consulted on the change in 2024, when 72 percent of respondents supported allowing digital identities for alcohol age verification. The government values the UK’s digital verification sector at more than £2 billion a year. The trust framework supports multiple certified suppliers for businesses choosing to participate across the licensed hospitality and retail sectors.
Sources: UK Government
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
