State and federal laws generally prohibit the possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of a false or fake driver’s license, identification card, military ID, passport, state or federal employee identification card, or other identification documents (fake ID). The legal definition of a fake ID is generally an ID that has been (1) altered, (2) falsified, (3) forged, (4) duplicated, (5) reproduced, or (6) counterfeited.

In many states, possession of a fake ID may be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony, with fines, community service, probation, suspension of driver’s license, and possible jail time. Some colleges and universities impose additional penalties on students who are convicted of possessing a fake ID—including dismissal from the college or university. And fraud in connection with identification documents may also be a federal crime. See 18 U.S. Code §1028.

Fake ID laws are usually located in a state’s statutes—in the penal or criminal code, the alcoholic beverage code, or the transportation or motor vehicle code.

In Massachusetts, the possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of a fake ID is illegal and can lead to serious legal consequences. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 24B, it is a crime to make or use a false or stolen driver's license or identification card. Penalties for possessing a fake ID can include fines, imprisonment, or both. For example, using a fake ID to purchase alcohol can result in a fine of up to $200, imprisonment for up to three months, or both. Additionally, the Registry of Motor Vehicles may suspend the offender's driver's license. On the federal level, pursuant to 18 U.S. Code §1028, the production, transfer, or possession of false identification documents is a federal offense, which can carry even more severe penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment. Educational institutions in Massachusetts may also impose their own disciplinary actions against students found with fake IDs, which can range from probation to expulsion.