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 Missouri, the possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of a fake ID is illegal and can lead to serious legal consequences. Under Missouri law, such actions can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances and severity of the offense. Penalties for possessing or using a fake ID can include fines, community service, probation, suspension of the individual's driver's license, and even jail time. Additionally, Missouri's universities and colleges may impose their own sanctions on students caught with fake IDs, which can range from disciplinary action to expulsion. On the federal level, the use of a fake ID can be prosecuted under 18 U.S. Code §1028, which addresses fraud in connection with identification documents. This federal statute can lead to even more severe penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment. It is important for individuals in Missouri to understand the gravity of using a fake ID and the potential legal repercussions that can follow.