Id Checks In North Carolina: Alcohol Purchases

In North Carolina, you must be at least 21 years old to buy alcohol. While there is no mandatory requirement that IDs be checked before alcohol is served or sold, it is a best practice for sellers and servers to check for proof of age. The acceptable forms of identification are a valid driver's license, a North Carolina special identification card, a US military ID, or an official passport.

Acceptable forms of ID in North Carolina

As of fall 2023, North Carolina law requires that voters present a specific type of identification when voting. This law has been criticized for disproportionately affecting senior citizens, young people, people of color, people with disabilities, and low-wealth individuals who are more likely to lack the necessary forms of identification.

Voters in North Carolina will be asked to show photo ID when voting in person. Most voters will simply show their North Carolina driver's license, but there are many other acceptable forms of photo ID. These include:

• A North Carolina voter photo ID card issued by a county board of elections
• A college or university student photo ID approved by the State Board of Elections
• A state or local government or charter school employee photo ID approved by the State Board of Elections
• A military or veterans ID card with a photo issued by the U.S. government
• A tribal enrollment card with a photo issued by a tribe recognized by the State of North Carolina or the federal government
• A public assistance program ID card with a photo issued by an agency of the U.S. government or the State of North Carolina

Voters who are 65 or older may use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday. Additionally, any North Carolina resident can obtain a free non-driver's ID card from the NCDMV. Voters without an acceptable ID can also get a free photo ID from their county board of elections.

If a voter cannot show an acceptable photo ID when voting in person, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form (also known as a reasonable impediment form) and casting a provisional ballot. Permitted exceptions to the photo ID requirement include the following:

• The voter has a reasonable impediment to showing photo ID (lack of transportation, lost or stolen ID, disability or illness, family responsibilities, etc.)
• The voter has a religious objection to being photographed
• The voter was a victim of a declared natural disaster within 100 days of Election Day

The legality of using a photo of your ID

In North Carolina, there are strict laws regarding the purchase and consumption of alcohol. Individuals must be at least 21 years old to legally buy and consume alcohol, and they are required to provide valid identification upon request. While there is no mandatory requirement to check IDs before serving or selling alcohol to individuals who appear to be of legal age, doing so is considered a best practice to protect against selling alcohol to minors.

When it comes to the legality of using a photo of your ID to purchase alcohol in North Carolina, the law does not explicitly prohibit or allow it. Jeff Strickland, the public affairs director for the North Carolina ABC Commission, stated that "technically, someone can use or present a photo of an ID," but the seller has the right to refuse such a sale. The primary concern with accepting a photo of an ID is the lack of security measures to verify its authenticity. Photographs can be easily altered, manipulated, or doctored, making it challenging for sellers to ensure they are not selling alcohol to underage individuals.

According to state law, there are four acceptable forms of identification for purchasing alcohol in North Carolina:

• Driver's license
• Identification document
• Passport
• Proof-of-age card with a PASS hologram

These forms of identification must show that the purchaser is at least 21 years old and must include a physical description that reasonably matches the purchaser. While the law does not specify whether digital proof of identification is acceptable, it is important to note that using a fraudulent or altered ID, or an ID issued to someone else, is illegal and can result in temporary license revocation or criminal charges.

To summarize, while there may be no explicit legal prohibition against using a photo of your ID to purchase alcohol in North Carolina, it is highly unlikely to be accepted by sellers due to the lack of security measures and the potential risk of selling alcohol to minors. As such, individuals are advised to carry valid, acceptable forms of identification when purchasing alcohol to avoid any issues or inconveniences.

The consequences of selling alcohol to minors

In North Carolina, it is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. While there is no mandatory requirement that IDs be checked before alcohol is served or sold, it is considered a best practice to protect against serving minors.

Legal Penalties

• Class 1 Misdemeanor: Under North Carolina law, selling alcohol to a minor is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
• Fines: For a first offense, there is a minimum fine of $250, plus court costs, which can amount to an additional $100. For a second offense, the fine increases to a minimum of $500.
• Community Service: The convicted individual may be required to perform community service, with a minimum of 25 hours for a first offense and up to 150 hours for subsequent offenses.
• Jail Time: While not always imposed, there is a possibility of jail time for violating this law.

License Revocation

Driver's License Suspension: The Division of Motor Vehicles will revoke the convicted individual's driver's license for a period, often for one year.

Employment and Education Impact

• Employment Restrictions: Those convicted of providing alcohol to minors may face restrictions on their employment. For example, they may be prohibited from working for a business that holds an ABC permit for a period after their conviction.
• College Applications: The criminal conviction can appear on college applications, potentially impacting the individual's chances of admission.

Additional Consequences

• Criminal Record: The conviction will be reflected on the offender's criminal record, which can have long-term consequences, including affecting future employment opportunities.
• Attorney's Fees: In addition to fines and court costs, the convicted individual may have to pay attorney's fees, adding to the financial burden.
• Increased Risk of Alcohol Abuse: Providing alcohol to minors can contribute to the development of alcohol abuse and dependence, with children who start drinking early being more likely to struggle with substance use disorders later in life.

The legal drinking and purchasing age

In North Carolina, you must be at least 21 years old to buy alcohol. While there is no mandatory requirement that IDs be checked before alcohol is served or sold, it is a best practice for sellers and servers to check IDs to protect themselves. If a seller or server does not check IDs and serves alcohol to a minor, they can face hefty penalties. Therefore, most sellers and servers are cautious and will check IDs.

According to state law, there are four forms of acceptable identification that can be used to purchase alcohol: a valid driver's license, a North Carolina special identification card, a US military ID, or an official passport. These IDs are acceptable even if they are from another state or country. However, the ID must be valid, and using a fake ID or even loaning your ID can lead to temporary loss of your driver's license or criminal charges.

It is important to note that a seller or server has the right to refuse a sale as long as their refusal is not discriminatory. Additionally, cashiers, bartenders, or anyone selling or serving alcohol has the right to ask for identification from other members of a group, even if they are not the ones drinking. This is to ensure that alcohol is not being sold or served to minors.

While it is not explicitly mentioned in the state law, some sources suggest that a legal picture ID with the bearer's birthday should be sufficient for purchasing alcohol in North Carolina. However, there are mixed experiences with this, as some places may only accept specific forms of ID, such as a driver's license or military ID, and may not accept passports or out-of-state IDs.

The legality of using an expired ID

In North Carolina, you must be at least 21 years old to buy alcohol. While it is not required by law to present an ID to purchase alcohol, it is considered a best practice for sellers and servers to ask for identification.

According to Jeff Strickland, Public Affairs Director for the North Carolina ABC Commission, "the statute does not say that an expired identification cannot be used." However, he also noted that expired IDs can be shared or stolen and may be fraudulently used by others. As such, it is recommended to only accept valid and current forms of identification.

North Carolina state law outlines four acceptable forms of identification that can be used to prove one's age when purchasing alcohol:

• A driver's license
• A special identification card issued under G.S. 20-37.7
• A military identification card
• A passport

These IDs are considered acceptable even if they are from another state or country. It is important to note that using a fake ID or loaning your ID to someone else is illegal and can result in temporary loss of your driver's license and criminal charges.

While there is no explicit mention of using expired IDs in North Carolina's alcohol laws, the state does have strict regulations regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. It is illegal for any person under 21 to buy, attempt to buy, or possess alcohol. Additionally, anyone caught selling or providing alcohol to a minor faces hefty penalties, including fines, court costs, and community service.

Frequently asked questions