Licensed premises across England and Wales now have the option to accept digital proof of age for alcohol sales under new rules effective from today, 15 September 2026. This change provides an additional secure method for businesses like pubs, music venues, shops, and restaurants to verify customers are over 18.
Customers can choose to use a certified app on their phone to prove their age when buying alcohol, without needing to show physical identification. This aims to offer a convenient alternative to carrying physical ID and can help protect privacy by allowing customers to confirm they are over 18 without sharing personal details like their name or address.
For businesses, digital proof of age can offer greater confidence in age verification compared to physical documents alone. Certified digital services can check if an ID is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it, potentially reducing the risk of fake or borrowed identification. Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock stated that it will remain an individual or business's choice whether to use or adopt this new method, and physical ID will continue to be valid.