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 Virginia, the possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of fake identification documents is illegal and can lead to serious legal consequences. This includes fake driver's licenses, identification cards, military IDs, passports, and other government-issued IDs. Under Virginia law, such actions can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances, and penalties can include fines, community service, probation, suspension of the driver's license, and even jail time. Additionally, Virginia'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, fraudulent activities involving identification documents are criminalized under 18 U.S. Code §1028, which can lead to federal charges with potentially more severe penalties. It's important to note that the specific charges and penalties can vary based on the nature of the offense and the individual's criminal history.