How to Spot a Fake Washington State ID: Seller/Server & Staff Guide

This guide will show you how to recognize fake Washington IDs, explain the legal consequences, and outline best practices for staff and businesses. We’ll also cover how training—including the required Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST)—helps servers, bartenders, and clerks build the skills to handle ID checks confidently.

Transparency note: Certification Experts offers comprehensive Washington Alcohol Awareness Training that prepares staff to recognize fake IDs and serve responsibly. However, please note that our course is not yet state-approved MAST training. If you need a Class 12 or Class 13 permit, you must complete a program approved by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). That said, our courses serve as valuable supplementary training for building knowledge and compliance skills:

MAST Class-12

MAST Class-13

In Washington, both employees and businesses face significant risk if a fake ID is accepted and alcohol is served to a minor.

• For employees: Under RCW 66.20.200, using or accepting a fake ID is a gross misdemeanor, which can result in fines and criminal penalties.
  
  
• For businesses: The WSLCB can issue fines, suspend, or revoke liquor licenses if staff sell alcohol to underage customers.
  
  
• For the community: Fake IDs undermine public safety, increasing the risk of underage drinking and its associated harms.
  
  

This is why the WSLCB requires all alcohol servers to complete MAST training within 60 days of hire, ensuring staff understand their responsibilities and how to detect fake IDs.

Legitimate Washington State driver’s licenses and identification cards follow REAL ID standards and contain multiple advanced security features. While we won’t describe them in enough detail to allow counterfeiting, here are some high-level features to look for:

• Laser perforation – Tiny holes that create an image visible when held to the light.
  
  
• Holograms and UV ink – Hidden features only visible under ultraviolet light.
  
  
• Raised text and tactile print – Certain parts of the ID have a noticeable texture.
  
  
• Font and layout consistency – Official Washington IDs use standard fonts and spacing.
  
  
• Material quality – Real IDs feel sturdy, not flimsy or easily bent.
  
  
• Photo and personal information – Should match the individual presenting the card.
  
  

For official examples and acceptable ID lists, consult the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and WA Department of Licensing REAL ID resources.

When a customer hands you a Washington ID, take a moment to check for obvious red flags. Use these quick checks:

• Look at the photo: Does the person clearly match the image?
  
  
• Check the birthdate math: Verify that the year makes sense for legal drinking age.
  
  
• Inspect text and fonts: Fake IDs often use inconsistent fonts or blurred text.
  
  
• Feel the card: Does it feel unusually thin, flimsy, or unevenly laminated?
  
  
• Look for holograms: Shine light across the ID—holograms should appear crisp and layered.
  
  
• Examine the edges: Uneven or peeling edges may indicate tampering.

Visual checks are important, but technology makes spotting fakes faster and more reliable. Many Washington businesses use ID scanners or verification systems.

• Barcode scanning: Most IDs include a 2D barcode that encodes the same data printed on the front. A mismatch is a red flag.
  
  
• Magnetic stripe readers: Older Washington IDs include magnetic stripes that can also be checked.
  
  
• Age verification devices: Automate birthdate checks to prevent simple mistakes.
  
  
• Database cross-referencing: Some systems connect to real-time databases for verification.
  
  

Note: If you use ID scanning technology, review Washington’s privacy rules regarding data storage and customer information.

Here’s a quick reference checklist you and your team can use:

1. Compare the photo with the customer’s face.
   
   
2. Check the date of birth and calculate the age.
   
   
3. Inspect holograms and design details under light.
   
   
4. Feel the ID for raised print and proper thickness.
   
   
5. Check the back barcode against printed info.
   
   
6. Look for misspellings or blurred text.
   
   
7. Ask questions—a person using a fake ID may hesitate or stumble.
   
   
8. When in doubt, escalate to a manager or refuse service.

Accepting or using a fake ID is illegal under RCW 66.20.200 and RCW 46.20.0921.

• For minors: Possessing or using a fake ID can lead to fines, community service, and suspension of real driving privileges.
  
  
• For staff: Serving a minor with a fake ID can result in termination and potential misdemeanor charges.
  
  
• For businesses: The WSLCB may impose fines, suspend liquor licenses, or permanently revoke them.
  
  

The consequences go beyond money—violations damage business reputation and trust.

The WSLCB requires alcohol servers to complete MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) for Class 12 and Class 13 permits. This training covers:

• Alcohol laws and server responsibilities.
  
  
• Techniques for checking IDs.
  
  
• Handling intoxicated or underage customers.
  
  
• Legal liability for staff and employers.

Our courses are excellent supplementary resources for anyone who wants to build stronger ID-checking skills, understand alcohol laws, and prepare for working in high-responsibility environments.

MAST Class-12
MAST Class-13

How to spot a fake ID Washington State?
Check the photo, holograms, and raised text. Verify the date of birth math and compare barcode data. When in doubt, escalate to management or use a scanner.

How to spot a fake Washington ID?
Look for poor material quality, misaligned fonts, or peeling edges. Compare the customer’s face with the photo and confirm security features like UV marks.

How to tell if a Washington ID is fake?
If anything looks off—from thickness and lamination to holograms and fonts — trust your instincts and refuse service if necessary.

How to make a Washington scannable fake ID?
It is illegal to create or possess a fake Washington ID. Doing so can result in misdemeanor or felony charges under RCW 66.20.200. Instead of making fake IDs, staff should focus on spotting them to avoid liability.

Spotting a fake Washington ID is one of the most important tasks for alcohol servers and sellers. By combining visual checks, technology, and proper training, staff can protect themselves, their employers, and the community from the risks of underage drinking.

Certification Experts offers Washington Alcohol Awareness Training to help bartenders, servers, and clerks build confidence in ID verification. While our course is not yet state-approved MAST training, it is a valuable resource for learning responsible service practices. For official MAST permit requirements, always check the WSLCB.

Start building your skills today with our Washington Alcohol Awareness Training.

• How to Get Your MAST Permit in Washington State
  
  
• Understanding MAST Permits in Washington
  
  
• How to Get a Washington Bartender License
  
  
• How to Get a Washington Liquor License