Britain Will Allow Digital Age Checks for Alcohol Sales in England and Wales

The British government said on Tuesday that it will allow certified digital proof of age to be used for alcohol sales and supply in England and Wales, a change that would let customers prove they are 18 or older without showing a physical passport or driver’s license.

In a written statement to Parliament, Sarah Jones, the minister of state for policing and crime, said the Home Office is laying a statutory instrument to update the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010. The measure would permit the use of certified and registered Digital Verification Services, known as DVS, when alcohol is sold or supplied, as long as specific conditions are met.

The change is aimed at bringing licensing rules in line with wider use of digital identity tools. Under the current rules, age checks for alcohol purchases rely on physical documents that carry a photograph, date of birth and security features. The government said that framework no longer reflects how many consumers now use secure digital technology in daily life.

If approved through the parliamentary process, the new rules are expected to take effect in the fall of 2026. The Home Office said an Economic Note will be published alongside the legislation on legislation.gov.uk.

The government said retailers and clubs in England and Wales would be able to accept digital proof of age only if it comes from a service certified against the U.K. DVS trust framework, appears on the statutory DVS register on GOV.UK and complies with conditions set out in the mandatory licensing rules. Physical identification will still remain valid, and consumers who prefer to use passports, driver’s licenses or other accepted documents will still be able to do so.

According to the statement, certified digital verification services will allow people to build a digital proof of age using different forms of identity evidence. Those may include physical documents, information already held by public authorities and digital credentials issued by the government, including the planned digital driver’s license. The government said there will be no requirement to rely on one specific source of identity evidence when a person uses an approved DVS.

Jones told Parliament that digital ID would offer “a quick and secure way” for adults to prove their age while sharing less personal information with bar staff than they might reveal through a physical document. The statement also said the option could reduce the need for people to carry passports when going to pubs, bars or shops.

The Home Office said the revised mandatory condition is intended to preserve the core licensing objectives under the 2003 law, including protecting children from harm. It said digital age checks would have to be as robust as checks based on physical documents and that approved systems would be held to standards on security, privacy and reliability under the trust framework.

For pubs, supermarkets, convenience stores, bottle shops and private clubs that sell beer, wine and spirits, the move could reshape day-to-day compliance at the point of sale. Staff training, checkout procedures and age-verification policies may need updating once the rules come into force. The change could also affect technology providers serving the drinks trade, as businesses weigh whether digital checks can speed service while reducing exposure of customer data.

The measure may be especially relevant for operators that already face pressure to balance fast service with strict age controls. In busy hospitality settings, checking a phone-based credential instead of handling a passport or plastic card could alter how quickly transactions move at bars and retail counters. At the same time, businesses will still need to make sure staff can recognize which services are officially registered and understand when a digital proof of age meets legal requirements.

The government framed the proposal as optional rather than mandatory. Consumers who do not want to use digital proof of age will still be able to rely on traditional documents, and sellers will continue to work within existing licensing duties designed to prevent underage drinking.

The statement was also made in the House of Lords by Lord Hanson of Flint, minister of state at the Home Office.