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Age restricted purchases such as tobacco, alcohol , and lottery tickets are are very popular. It's important for employees at stores that sell these items to ensure they're only selling to those that can legally buy them. Start at step one to learn how to card everyone professionally and accurately.


  1. 1
    Understand all laws pertaining to these sales. It's also important to know your store rules. Every store within every state is going to vary when it comes to these rules. Ask your manager if you're unsure what yours are.[1]
    • Most state/federal law require a customer to look at least 27 or older to not be carded.
    • Most retailers require a customer to be/look at least 40.
    • Some retailers require all customers to be carded.
    • All customers must be at least 18 to purchase tobacco or lottery. Some state laws are pushing or have pushed the age for tobacco to 21.
    • All customers must be at least 21 to purchase alcohol in any form.
  2. 2
    Recognize the accepted forms of identification. These are the only types of legally recognizes IDs.
    • Any state issued ID card/driver's licenses
    • Current military/armed forces ID cards
    • Passports/passport cards
    • Green cards
    • Foreign IDs
  3. 3
    Evaluate the customer wanting to buy age-restricted products. Take a good look at their face, hair, and etc. Look for obvious signs of age (or lack thereof): beards, wrinkles, gray hairs, etc. Try not to stare but just give them a quick once over. If they look young enough or you have to card everyone keep going. Note this isn't always fool proof but is a good start.
  4. 4
    Ask for their ID firmly but politely. Try something like:
    • "May I see your ID, please?"
    • "Do you happen to have an ID that I could look at?"
    • "Could you take your ID out please?"
    • "I just need to scan/look at your ID please."
  5. 5
    Get the ID in your hands. A common trick tried by many is to just flash it at you, or keep it in the wallet. Ask for it again or for it to be taken out. Refuse the sale if they refuse. Many fake IDs will look real on the front, but be completely blank or just copied on the back. You may not be able to spot a difference, but you might feel a difference.
  6. 6
    Inspect the ID. Once you have it in your hands, give it a good once over. Try not to take too long. Some common things to look for include:
    • Date of birth. Ensure they are overage. Most times this is located on the front. Military service IDs have it located on the back.
    • Expiration date. Is it current? If it's expired you shouldn't accept it.
    • Picture/description. Consider height, eye color, and the picture. Hair style changes, people lose/gain weight, but ensure that you are looking at the same person. Kids borrow parents' or friends' cards all the time.
    • Evidence of tampering. Is it real? Look for variations of font color or size, flaking, lack of holographic state seals, blank backs, etc.
  7. 7
    Optional: Scan the barcode on the back if you have the means. This way the system will tell you if it's real if they're overage, and etc. You still need to make sure it's their ID if you do this but can cut down the inspection time.
  8. 8
    Hand the card back. So you don't forget, hand the card back immediately. If your register makes you type in their birthdate, do so while it's fresh in your mind.
  9. 9
    Refuse or carry on with the sale as needed. If you have any reason to doubt the sale, refuse it. You could try something like:
    • "I'm sorry. I can't accept this ID do you happen to have another on you?"
    • "I'm sorry. I can't sell this to you. You have to be (age) to buy this, and we could both get into a lot of trouble."
  10. 10
    Stay strong and do not relent. Some customers may yell at you or get angry for being carded or having their sale refused. Stay firm and do not give in. Explain that it's law, and/or company policy and that you could get fined or fired if you don't comply.

Community Q&A

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      • If you see that a customer's ID is expired or going to expire, let them know politely if you want. A lot of people don't notice this and would appreciate the heads up to save them a lot of trouble, "Sir/Ma'am, did you know that your ID expires in three days?"
      • Expired IDs, permits to carry weapons, and many others still show valid birthdays and photos but are not legally acceptable forms of ID. Accept them at your own risk.
      • Vertical (Up and down) state ID's indicate that a customer is under the age of 21. If so, there will be a stamp somewhere near the dates that states, under the age of 18/21 until (date).
      • Horizontal (side to side) state ID's indicate that a customer is above the age of 21.
      • Although an ID may state that a customer is under the age of 21 or 18 this doesn't necessarily mean that they are currently. The ID could have been issued before their birthday and they have since turned over the age. Pay attention to the year.
      • Some ID cards, such as ones not in your state or military/passports, will not scan. This doesn't necessarily mean that its fake! It could mean your scanner can't read said bar code. Just fall back to the good old fashioned checks if you try and this happens.


      • When in doubt, ask for ID. The consequences for selling to a minor are not worth it and can include up to $5,000 in fines, loss of job, and/or jail time minimum.[2] Asking for ID or refusing a sale is never wrong.
      • Selling alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person is also illegal in many states.

      About This Article

      2 votes - 50%
      Co-authors: 5
      Updated: October 11, 2020
      Views: 14,222

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