People search for “fake ID” to ask two different things: is it an offence to carry one, and what happens to the person who sells it. The law treats both, and the sellers usually carry the heavier charge. The penalties below are maximums published on legislation.gov.uk and were checked on 4 October 2026. This is information, not legal advice.
What counts as an identity document
Section 7 of the Identity Documents Act 2010 defines the term. It includes passports, immigration documents and UK driving licences. The Act is not about a student card or a gym pass. A forged card imitating one of the listed documents is the problem.
The offences in plain terms
| Provision | Conduct | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Act, s.4 | Having a false, improperly obtained or someone else’s document with improper intention | 10 years, fine, or both |
| 2010 Act, s.6 | Having such a document without reasonable excuse | 2 years, fine, or both |
| Fraud Act 2006, s.6 | Having an article for use in fraud | 5 years on indictment |
| Fraud Act 2006, s.7 | Making, adapting or supplying articles for fraud | 10 years on indictment |
A maximum is the ceiling Parliament sets, not what most people receive. The wider list is on UK law on fake documents.
There is no national ID card
The UK does not issue an identity card. When a shop, a bar or a landlord asks for ID, the usual proof is a passport, a photocard driving licence, or a card carrying the PASS hologram for proof of age. A scanned or photographed copy of a genuine document is not a substitute, and adverts offering a “scannable” ID are selling exactly what the law above describes.
What buyers risk beyond the charge
- Money paid for nothing, with no one to complain to.
- Your photo, signature and address in a stranger’s hands.
- A document that fails the first proper check.
The same logic applies to a counterfeit licence: see fake driving licences and fake passports for sale. For the proof-of-age cards that are genuine, see the PASS card.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to have a fake ID in the UK?
It can be. For the documents the Identity Documents Act 2010 covers, possession without reasonable excuse carries up to two years, and with improper intention up to ten.
Is selling fake IDs a different offence?
Making or supplying articles for use in fraud falls under section 7 of the Fraud Act 2006, with a maximum of ten years on indictment.
Does the UK have a national ID card?
No. Proof of identity or age is usually a passport, a photocard driving licence or a PASS-accredited card.