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 North Carolina, it is illegal to possess, use, manufacture, or distribute a fake ID, which includes any identification that has been altered, falsified, forged, duplicated, reproduced, or counterfeited. Under North Carolina General Statutes, such offenses are typically found in Chapter 20, which deals with Motor Vehicles, and more specifically in sections related to driver's licenses and identification cards. The penalties for possessing a fake ID in NC can range from misdemeanor to felony charges, depending on the circumstances and the severity of the offense. Consequences may include fines, community service, probation, suspension of a driver's license, and even jail time. Additionally, students may face disciplinary actions from their educational institutions, up to and including dismissal. On the federal level, fraudulent activities related to identification documents are criminalized under 18 U.S. Code §1028, which can lead to more severe penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment. It is important for individuals to understand the serious nature of these offenses and to consult with an attorney if they are facing charges related to fake IDs.