Fake IDs

What is an ID card?

Any document made or issued by the United States, State of Illinois, any other State, or any governmental or quasi-governmental organization intended to identify an individual.

Fictitious vs. Fraudulent vs. Altered IDs

  • Fictitious ID — ID card issued by a State or Government but contains false information concerning the identity of the individual issued the card.
  • Fraudulent ID — ID card purporting to be an official ID card of the United States, State of Illinois, any other State, or any governmental or quasi-governmental organization that resembles an official one in either size, color, design or uses the word “official”, “state”, “Illinois”, or other state name.
  • Altered ID — ID Cards issued by a State or Government that have been physically altered or changed so that false information appears on the identification card.

Illinois Law

Possessing or Displaying a Fraudulent, Fictitious, or Unlawfully Altered ID card is a Class 4 Felony punishable up to 3 years in prison.

  • Fake IDs and Alcohol — Any person under 21 years who presents a false, fraudulent, or unlawfully altered ID to procure any alcoholic beverage or any attempt thereof is a Class A misdemeanor carrying a minimum $500.00 fine and minimum 25 hours of community service.
  • Fake IDs and Marijuana — (Effective Jan 1, 2020) Any person under 21 years who presents a false, fraudulent, or unlawfully altered ID to procure cannabis or any attempt thereof is a Class A misdemeanor.

Illinois Driver's Licenses

  • Possession of any fraudulent driver's license is a Class 4 felony, minimum $500.00 fine or 50 hours of community service.
  • Possession of any fictitious or unlawfully altered driver's license is a Class A misdemeanor, minimum $500 fine or 50 hours of community service.
  • Lending a driver's license to another person or allowing the use by another is a Class A misdemeanor, minimum $500.00 fine or 50 hours of community service.
  • Displaying or representing any driver's license issued to another person as your own is a Class A misdemeanor, minimum $500.00 fine or 50 hours of community service.

Loss of Driving Privileges

The Illinois Secretary of State has discretion to suspend or revoke an Illinois driver’s license for:

  • Allowing another to unlawfully use their driver's license or ID card.
  • Possessing or attempting to fraudulently use any license or ID card not their own.
  • Possessing a fictitious, fraudulent or unlawfully altered driver's license or ID card.
  • Presenting any ID or license that is false, fraudulent, or not actually their own to procure any alcoholic beverage or any attempt thereof while under 21.
  • Presenting any ID or license that is false, fraudulent, or not actually their own to procure cannabis or any attempt thereof while under 21. (Effective Jan 1, 2020)

Note: Notice of Suspension/Revocation of your Illinois Driver’s License will be sent by US mail to the address that the Secretary of State has on file for you. This address may not be your current permanent or local Champaign County address.

Being unaware of the suspension/revocation is not a defense to driving with a suspended/revoked license.

C-U City Ordinances

Ordinances are fine-only offenses which can be imposed alongside a criminal offense or university sanction.

  • Urbana: Any person under 21 who misrepresents their age where alcohol is sold in order to purchase or obtain alcohol faces a minimum $300.00 fine. Any person under 21 who presents a false or fraudulent ID card or not actually their own for the purpose of ordering, purchasing, or otherwise procuring alcohol is a city violation with a minimum $200.00 fine.

    Carrying or using a false or forged identification card or using the identification card of another is a city violation with a minimum $200.00 fine.

  • Champaign: Allowing the use of your ID card by someone under 21; possessing an altered, defaced, forged, or fraudulent ID Card; or if you are under 21 and possess the ID Card of another is a city violation and carries minimum fine $350.00.

Student Code Violations

The following acts are subject to Student Disciplinary Procedures as authored and authorized by the Senate Committee on Student Discipline, and can result in up to and including suspension or expulsion:

  • Use of an ID card of another or allowing one's own ID card to be used by another;
  • Use or sale of the ID card of another;
  • Use of a false, forged, or altered ID card;
  • Presentation or possession of false ID in an attempt to enter a liquor establishment or to procure alcohol.

Reference Links:

Summary

Mere possession of any card that could be used to identify yourself or another that is in anyway false, inaccurate, or modified illicitly could constitute a crime, violation or subject the cardholder to discipline or other consequences under the various laws, ordinances and codes outlined in this pamphlet by the various state or local governments and their agencies or departments. Such actions can be brought simultaneously.

Use or attempted use of such a card will further subject a cardholder to other crimes, violations, disciplinary actions or additional consequences.

This pamphlet does not contain legal advice. This pamphlet is not a substitute for legal advice. If you face legal issues, contact Student Legal Services or a licensed attorney.

Brochure Download

The information on this page is also available to download in brochure form.