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Best practices for checking identification
- Characteristics of a valid ID
- Acceptable forms of ID
- Suspecting a fake ID
- Say "No" if the ID is not valid or not provided
- Handling an abusive customer
REMEMBER: No ID = No sale
Legal requirements
The legal drinking and cannabis consumption age in the province of Ontario is 19 years of age.
By law, you are required to check a person’s identification (ID) if they appear to be under 19 and you may not sell alcohol or cannabis to people who are underage. Licensees of the AGCO who allow a minor to purchase liquor or cannabis may be subject to a monetary penalty up to $100,000, a licence suspension or a revocation of their licence.
If a customer appears to be under 19, you or your staff must ask for ID. This is the only way to ensure you are meeting your legal requirements.
Best practices for checking identification
Characteristics of a valid ID
- Government-issued;
- Current (expired ID is not valid);
- Include the person’s photograph; and
- Include the person’s date of birth.
Copies and photographs of the ID are not acceptable. You must check the physical ID.
Note: By law, no one can be required to produce their Ontario Health Card, nor can the health number be collected. Licensees should not ask for the Ontario Health Card as ID, but if offered voluntarily, you may accept it at your discretion.
Acceptable forms of ID
Acceptable identification includes:
- Ontario driver’s licence with a photograph
- Photo card issued under the Photo Card Act
- Permanent resident card (Canadian)
- Secure Indian status card (Canadian)
- Canadian passport
- LCBO BYID photo card
- Canadian armed forces identification card
- Canadian citizenship card with a photograph
For valid ID examples with images, please see Tips for checking ID.
Suspecting a fake ID
If you suspect an ID may be fake or may not belong to the person in front of you, ask simple questions to confirm details, such as:
- When is your birthday?
- How do you spell your middle name?
- What is your postal code?
Tip: If you have doubts, ask for a second piece of ID.
Say "No" if the ID is not valid or not provided
- Decline sale or service and state that the law prohibits sale or service to minors.
- Be professional and courteous.
- Refer to signage.
- Request assistance from a supervisor or manager, if necessary.
Handling an abusive customer
- Sometimes, it is hard to tell if a patron is 19 years or older and asking for their ID can make them unhappy or upset.
- Stay calm, professional and courteous.
- Stand your ground. By law, you are required to check a person’s ID if they appear underage.
- Refer the patron to a supervisor or manager.
- Request assistance from a supervisor or manager, if necessary.
- Notify the authorities (local police), if necessary.
- Attempt to note descriptive details.