Licensed premises for selling alcohol including convenience stores, pubs, bars, restaurants and music venues across England and Wales will have the choice to introduce digital proof of age for alcohol sales under new rules coming into force today (Tuesday 15th September).
For customers, while it will take businesses time to widely adopt and accept digital proof-of-age, it will provide a convenient alternative to carrying physical ID.
For businesses, digital proof of age offers a way to verify a customer's age with greater confidence than checking a physical document alone.
Certified digital services check that an ID is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it, which can help reduce the risk of fake or borrowed identification going undetected.
It could be as simple as a customer showing a QR code for staff to scan or tapping their phone against a compatible reader. Staff receive a clear confirmation on their device that the customer has passed the age check, providing an alternative to examining physical documents.
This can make it easier to verify age during busy periods and help businesses provide a quicker, more convenient experience to customers, while reducing the risk of accepting fraudulent identification.
Digital identity services are already being used in the UK to help people verify who they are securely online and access services. These new rules build on existing certified technology, allowing digital proof of age to be used for alcohol sales from certified third-party providers.
Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock said: "From pubs and restaurants to music venues and festivals, licensed businesses carry out millions of age checks every year. It will remain an individual or business’ choice whether to use or adopt it, and physical ID will remain a valid way for customers to prove their age.
“This groundbreaking change in the law will mean you do not need to carry a physical ID, nor hand over sensitive personal information such as your name or address just to prove your age - allowing everyone to feel safer on a night out”.
Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “Introducing digital proof of age is a positive step for hospitality, providing greater flexibility and convenience for customers and businesses.
“The roll-out of the voluntary digital proof of age will provide an easier experience for customers, allowing them to verify their age securely from their phones.
“We look forward to working with the Government to ensure the roll-out of the scheme, with multiple supplier options available, is cost-efficient and not burdensome for the hospitality sector.”
Julian David OBE, CEO of techUK said: "We welcome the coming into force of digital identity as a trusted way to prove your age when buying alcohol.
"This is a practical, everyday example of the value that robust digital identity services can bring to consumers, cutting friction and making lives easier, while maintaining high standards of security and privacy.
“This is now possible thanks to the UK's thriving digital verification sector, worth over £2 billion a year, and the UK's DVS Trust Framework, which techUK worked closely with government to help develop.”
The new rules allow licensed businesses to adopt certified digital proof of age services alongside the physical ID checks they already use.
The change follows a 2024 Government consultation, in which 72% of respondents supported the use of digital identities for age verification when buying alcohol. The new rules update the licensing framework while maintaining the safeguards designed to prevent underage alcohol sales.