Fake ID & The Law in the UK
An armchair lawyer’s guide. What happens if you get caught using a fake passport or driving licence?
⚠ Important : None, none, absolutely none of the following constitutes legal advice. If you are concerned about anything, consult a solicitor or lawyer.
Don’t buy a fake ID if you’re worried about the consequences. If you’re caught by the police with a fake ID, you might get let off with a warning, or you might get a caution, or you could be arrested. Using the fake ID to misrepresent yourself for financial gain, or to do something even stupider like rent a car; these are offences that will likely attract a criminal charge.
Any of these things may follow you around for the rest of your life, so be careful.
Below, we’re talking about illegal fake ID – exact, or near exact copies of existing government issued “identity cards” or “identity documents” as they are defined in legislation. We’ve only referred to UK legislation here, we cannot speak to other jurisdictions. This site does not sell these kind of fake IDs.
In the United Kingdom, the legislation governing identity cards is largely contained in the Identity Documents Act 2010 (PDF), which repealed elements of the earlier 2006 Act that covered the failed National ID Card scheme. Section 4 of this act covers the possession of false identity documents with improper intention. Section 7 defines the meaning of an identity document for the purposes of Sections 4,5 and 6 of the Identity Cards Act 2010.
It is an offence to manufacture, possess, procure, supply or utter a counterfeit or altered state issued document such as a driving licence or passport.
Products provided by this site do not fall under the definition of “identity document” as described in the relevant acts.
All cards sold feature a non-removeable, indelible disclaimer making this distinction on the reverse of cards.
For the law pertaining to Identity Cards, illegal fake ID cards and ID cards in general worldwide, please consult the legislation applicable in your jurisdiction.
[1] Section 4 – Identity Documents Act 2010 – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/40/contents/enacted
[2] Section 6 – Fraud Act 2006 – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/35/section/6
[3] Fraud Act 2006, particularly section 2 – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/35/section/2
[4] See Met Police news – http://content.met.police.uk/News/Fake-ID-sentencing/1400009062163/1257246745756