Foreign Ids: Can Aliens Buy Alcohol Illegally?

In the United States, the legal drinking age is 21, and while there is no legal requirement to check IDs, sellers are liable if they sell to a minor. Acceptable forms of ID vary by state, and while a US passport is considered valid, the rules around foreign passports are ambiguous. Some states, like Virginia, accept non-expired foreign passports, while others, like Georgia and Pennsylvania, do not. In addition, certain forms of ID, such as a driver's license, are only accepted from specific states. For undocumented immigrants, travelling within the US can be risky, as it may lead to encounters with federal officials and the need to present valid identification. While a foreign passport may be sufficient for air travel, other forms of ID, such as a driver's license, may be required for purchasing alcohol.

Foreign passports are not a valid form of ID to buy alcohol in the US

In the US, acceptable forms of ID for purchasing alcohol typically include federal or state-issued documents such as a US passport, US driver's license, or a military identification card. Some states may also accept other forms of ID, such as a DMV-issued ID card, a foreign driver's license, or a foreign consulate identification card, but this can vary by state and establishment.

It's important to note that the criteria for acceptable identification may differ depending on the state and the establishment selling the alcohol. Some businesses may have policies that are stricter than the law, only accepting specific types of ID. Additionally, there may be no legal requirement to request ID for alcohol purchases, as long as the buyer is over the legal drinking age.

To complicate matters further, the criteria for acceptable ID can sometimes be ambiguous or contradictory. For example, in some cases, a US Resident Alien Card (Green Card) may not be considered valid for purchasing alcohol, even though it is issued by the state department. This inconsistency can lead to confusion for both businesses and consumers.

To ensure compliance with the law and to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors, it is essential for staff to be adequately trained on the policies and laws regarding the sale of alcohol and ID verification. While foreign passports may not be accepted as a standalone form of ID for alcohol purchases, individuals without a valid US ID may need to present additional forms of identification to verify their age.

Foreign IDs are not accepted in Virginia

Virginia law states that a customer must be at least 21 years old to purchase alcohol. While there is no legal requirement to check ID, the best way to verify a customer's age is to request proper ID and examine it carefully. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• A valid driver's license issued by any state in the United States or the District of Columbia
• Armed forces identification card
• U.S. passport or foreign government visa
• Valid special identification card issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
• Any valid identification issued by any other federal or state government agency, excluding student IDs

The ID must contain the individual's photograph, signature, height, and date of birth. It should also be checked for any signs of tampering or alteration.

It is important to note that a foreign passport is not considered a valid form of identification for purchasing alcohol in Virginia, as it is not specifically listed as an acceptable form of ID. This means that foreign nationals visiting or residing in Virginia may need to obtain a different form of accepted ID in order to purchase alcohol.

It is crucial to abide by the legal requirements for alcohol sales and consumption in Virginia, as violations can result in significant penalties, including fines, community service, and jail time.

Bona fide IDs are issued by a US government agency

It is important to note that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, and while there is no legal requirement to check IDs, the seller must ensure that the buyer is above this age threshold. Bona fide IDs are legally acceptable forms of identification and are issued by a US government agency, whether federal, state, county, or city. These IDs must contain six key characteristics to be considered bona fide:

• Issued by a US government agency
• Physical description, including height, weight, hair, and eye color
• Current validity (not expired)
• Contain a photograph
• Lack of physical description for US military identification
• Either a US or foreign passport

Examples of bona fide IDs include a California Real ID, driver's license, or identification card, as well as out-of-state driver's licenses and identification cards. US passports, military identification, and foreign passports with photographs are also considered bona fide. It is worth noting that a person cannot combine two unacceptable forms of identification to make one acceptable identification.

On the other hand, examples of identification that are not bona fide include US government immigrant identification cards, school or work identification cards, Social Security cards, interim or temporary driver's licenses, foreign driver's licenses or identification cards, and expired, altered, borrowed, stolen, counterfeit, or forged documents.

Businesses have the right to implement stricter policies than the law requires. For instance, they may choose to accept only California driver's licenses/identifications or require anyone purchasing alcoholic beverages to present identification, regardless of their apparent age. Ultimately, the decision to serve alcohol to an individual lies with the seller, and they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who cannot produce adequate evidence of their age.

Foreign passports with a photo are acceptable in California

In California, foreign passports with a photo are acceptable as proof of identity. However, this may vary depending on the specific circumstances and the establishment. For example, foreign passports are not considered valid identification for purchasing alcohol in Virginia, while in California, a foreign passport is accepted as long as it is accompanied by a second form of identification.

In California, any resident can apply for a REAL ID driver's license or identification card if they can prove their current legal presence in the United States. This includes US citizens, permanent residents who are not US citizens (Green Card holders), and those with temporary legal status, such as recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The required documents to apply for a REAL ID include proof of identity, such as an unexpired foreign passport with a valid US visa and an approved I-94 form, and two proofs of California residency.

It is important to note that the laws and regulations regarding acceptable forms of identification vary from state to state, and even within different counties and cities within a state. As such, it is always advisable to check the specific requirements of the location in question.

Foreign IDs are subject to verification

There are several things to check when verifying a foreign ID:

• Feel the identification: Fake IDs often have a different weight and/or thickness compared to real IDs.
• Check the edges of the card: The edges of a real ID should be smooth and rounded around the entire card. Lifted corners may be a sign of a fake ID.
• Check the front and back of the ID: Look and feel for bumps, ridges, and irregularities. Pay close attention to the area near the photo and date of birth, as information may be cut out or pasted on.
• Look for security features: Real IDs may have security features such as a laser-engraved tactile signature or date of birth.
• Check for alterations: Look for any changes to the identification, such as spelling errors or font size differences.
• Calculate the age: Do the math to make sure the person is of legal drinking age.
• Compare the photograph: Minors can alter their appearance, so focus on features that don't change, such as the shape of the nose, chin, ears, and eyes.
• Check the height and weight: If these do not reasonably match the person, do not accept the ID.

It's important to note that the laws and policies regarding the sale of alcohol may vary by state and country. In some places, only specific types of IDs are accepted, while others may have more lenient policies. Ultimately, the seller has the right to refuse service to anyone who cannot produce adequate evidence of their age.

Frequently asked questions