New rules coming into force on 15 September 2026 give licensed businesses across England and Wales the option to accept certified digital proof of age when selling alcohol.
Pubs, restaurants, shops, music venues and other licensed premises can use certified digital identification technology alongside existing physical ID checks. Customers who choose this option can use a certified app on their phone to confirm that they are 18 or over, without showing physical identification.
The changes provide businesses with another way to verify customers’ ages while offering customers a more convenient alternative to carrying physical ID.
What Are the New Digital Proof-of-Age Rules?
The new rules allow certified third-party digital identity services to be used for age verification when alcohol is sold.
Instead of presenting a physical identity document, a customer can use a certified digital service to demonstrate that they meet the legal age requirement.
Digital Age Verification Can Be Used Alongside Physical ID
Businesses do not have to replace their existing age-checking processes.
Digital proof of age can be introduced as an additional method of verification, giving licensed premises another option when checking whether a customer is old enough to purchase alcohol.
Customers Can Prove They Are 18 or Over
Customers can use a certified app to provide confirmation that they are 18 or over.
Depending on the technology used, verification could involve:
- Showing a QR code for staff to scan
- Tapping a phone against a compatible reader
- Receiving confirmation on the business’s verification device
How Can Digital Proof of Age Benefit Businesses?
Digital verification can provide licensed businesses with an additional way to check customers’ ages.
Helps Reduce the Risk of Fake or Borrowed ID
Certified digital services can check whether an identity document is genuine and whether it belongs to the person presenting it.
This can help businesses reduce the risk of accepting fraudulent, fake or borrowed identification.
Faster Checks During Busy Periods
Digital verification may also make age checks easier during busy periods.
Once a customer completes the digital verification process, staff can receive a clear confirmation that the age requirement has been met.
This can provide a quicker alternative to manually examining physical documents.
How Can Digital Proof of Age Benefit Customers?
The new option may make age verification more convenient for customers.
No Need to Show Physical ID
Customers using a certified digital service can prove that they are over 18 without handing over a physical identity document.
This can be useful for customers who do not have their physical ID with them.
Greater Privacy
Digital verification can allow customers to provide confirmation that they are 18 or over without necessarily showing personal information contained on a physical ID document, such as their name or home address.
This can provide an additional privacy benefit when completing an age check.
Where Can Digital Proof of Age Be Used?
The option is available to licensed premises across England and Wales, including businesses such as:
- Pubs and bars
- Restaurants
- Shops
- Music venues
- Festivals and other licensed venues
However, businesses will decide whether and when to adopt certified digital proof-of-age technology.
What Does This Mean for UK Businesses?
The new rules provide licensed businesses with an additional method of verifying age when selling alcohol.
Businesses adopting the technology can continue using their existing physical ID procedures while introducing certified digital verification as another option.
As adoption takes time, customers should not assume that every licensed premises will accept digital proof of age immediately.
Note: The rules give businesses the option to adopt certified digital proof of age. They do not mean that every pub, restaurant, shop or venue will immediately accept digital age verification.
Conclusion
The introduction of digital proof of age creates a new option for alcohol age verification across England and Wales from 15 September 2026.
Certified digital services can allow customers to confirm that they are 18 or over through their phones, while businesses can use digital verification alongside physical ID checks. The approach is intended to make age checks more convenient while helping businesses verify customers’ ages with greater confidence.
