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 Vermont, as in other states, it is illegal to possess, use, manufacture, or distribute a fake ID. Vermont law considers a fake ID to be any identification that has been altered, falsified, forged, duplicated, reproduced, or counterfeited. The consequences for having a fake ID can vary, but they may include misdemeanor or felony charges, resulting in fines, community service, probation, suspension of a driver's license, and even jail time. Additionally, students may face disciplinary actions from their educational institutions, which could include dismissal. On the federal level, fraudulent activities related to identification documents are criminalized under 18 U.S. Code §1028, which can lead to serious federal charges. The specific statutes pertaining to fake IDs in Vermont can be found in the state's penal or criminal code, as well as codes dealing with alcoholic beverages and motor vehicles.