Fake IDs in North Carolina
A Growing Problem

Like states across the nation, North Carolina is trying to meet the challenge of more fraudulent IDs whether presented in person or by digital image. Many of these fake IDs come from counterfeiters located overseas with sophisticated equipment. As stories below illustrate, fake identification is getting easier to obtain in North Carolina and is often associated with illegal alcohol purchases by minors and financial fraud.

WCNC Watauga Democrat

Alcohol Sales & Service Guidelines for North Carolina

- Minimum age to consume: 21
- Minimum age to serve: 18
- Minimum age to bartend: 18

Alcohol retailers may seize apparently false IDs without fear of prosecution even if the identification is valid.

A person under 21 may not purchase alcoholic beverages as part of a law enforcement action.

Penalties for serving or selling to a minor: In North Carolina, the penalty for selling or giving alcohol to someone under 21 for the first offense is a minimum $250 fine, $100 in court costs, and 25 hours of community service. Aiding and abetting the sale of alcohol to a minor can result in a minimum $500 fine, court costs, and 25 hours of community service. 

The severity of the crime can depend on the age of the minor and the circumstances:

  • Under 19: A Class 1 misdemeanor with a maximum punishment of 120 days in jail
  • 19 or 20: A Class 3 misdemeanor with a maximum punishment of 20 days in jail
  • Repeated offenses: The charge may be a felony
  • Serious injury or death: The charge may be a felony 

Other penalties for selling or giving alcohol to a minor include: Driver's license revocation, Attorney's fees, and Two-year business employment restrictions. 


Get the Guide
  • id check during purchase of car
  • police officer checking id
  • identity verification at airline check-in counter
  • bartender verifying id of two patrons

How to Spot a Fake North Carolina ID

For law enforcement officers, bank tellers, car rental agents, human resources professionals and others who must verify ID in a professional capacity, the recent surge in fake IDs is challenging. The liability and losses that result from accepting a fake ID are large. The I.D. Checking Guide assists in the ID verification process by showing what an actual, valid ID looks like at full-size, and highlights the details of the licenses, making it much easier to spot the fraud. Before approving an expensive car rental, opening a new bank account or hiring a new employee, make sure the driver’s license or ID card has the correct numbering, UV, microprint, ghost images, expiration, and other details that counterfeiters often miss.

tel-service For any Inquiries Call Now
800-227-8827 / 650-369-4849

Markets Served

What the I.D. Checking Guide Includes:

Place Order U.S Book Info
  • A full page or more for each U.S. state and Canadian province, showing driver’s licenses and ID cards.
  • Security image information for ghost images, laser perforation, microprint, UV and other validation details.
  • Explanation of what the proper alphanumeric sequencing of a North Carolina ID or Driver’s License should be (how many letters, numbers, etc.).
  • U.S. Federal documents including immigration, military ID, Visas and passport cards.
  • “How to check driver’s licenses” techniques for training.