How to check personal identification for liquor and cannabis purchases

  1. At the door
  2. What to check on a piece of ID
  3. Requirements of a valid ID
  4. Ask questions
  5. Acceptable forms of ID
  6. How to confirm an authentic Yukon driver's licence or General Identification Card

Follow these steps to make sure a person is of legal age before they buy or consume liquor or cannabis.

Download the How to Check ID poster which explains how to check ID.

Download the Check 30 poster that tells customers you'll check identification (ID) for everyone who looks under 30 years old.


  1. At the door
    • Check ID before a person enters the building.
    • Check ID in a well-lit space. Use a penlight or black light for spot lighting.
    • Hold the ID in your hands, rather than allowing the person to flash it at you. If it's in a wallet, have them take it out for you.
    • Take your time and examine the ID closely. If you're unsure about the ID they're showing, ask for a 2nd piece of ID or more.

     


  2. What to check on a piece of ID
    • Check the birth date – are they of age?
    • Check the expiry date – is the ID still valid?
    • Check the photo – is this the person standing in front of you? Especially look at their ears, eyes, mouth and nose since those are the most likely to be the same no matter how the person has changed.
    • If you're unsure about the ID they're showing, ask for a sample signature to compare to the signature on the photo ID.

     


  3. Requirements of a valid ID

    A valid ID must:

    • have been issued by a government;
    • be current (expired ID is not valid);
    • include the person's photograph; and
    • include the person's birth date.

     


  4. Ask questions
    • Ask their middle name and how to spell it.
    • Ask for specific information on the ID card such as the address or postal code.
    • Do their responses sound prompt and sincere? How is the person acting – confident or nervous? Are they avoiding eye contact?

     


  5. Acceptable forms of ID

    Acceptable forms of ID include:

    • a driver's licence with a photograph;
    • a general government-issued ID card;
    • a passport; or
    • a Canadian citizenship card.

     


  6. How to confirm an authentic Yukon driver's licence or General Identification Card
    • You can see holograms of the Yukon coat of arms (pictured behind small photo) on the card surface.
    • The printing is crisp and clear.
    • There's red printing for the date of birth (DOB) and ID number.
    • There's blue printing for the word "Yukon" on the back of the card in the bottom right-hand corner.
    • With a small magnifying glass, you can see micro text and fine geometric lines like those on money.
    • The photo appears with fine lines through the image.
    • You can check for ultraviolet printing with a black light. Below main photo you'll see the driver's licence number or the ID number. The black light will also reveal the ultraviolet printed date of birth on the right side for licences and on the left side for general identification cards. Ensure the ultraviolet printed date of birth matches the non-ultraviolet printed date of birth.

    Counterfeit or stolen cards that someone has altered may have:

    • wrinkles on the card surface;
    • blurry, all in black, printing;
    • washed-out colours;
    • breaks in holograms over the photo or date of birth;
    • a mismatched birth date and expiry date – the month and day should match; or
    • a photo that does not match the person in front of you.

     


Contact 

For questions about age verification email yukon.liquor@gov.yk.ca or phone 867-667-5245 or toll free in Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 5245.