Fake Id

Offenses involving false identification or misuse of identification apply to student IDs, driver licenses issued by any state or country, ID cards issued by any state or country, and other documents which might be used to prove identity, address or age.

Common offenses include:

Using Invalid License or ID
Alteration of your own driver license or DMV-issued ID, or the license or ID of another to show incorrect age. Simple possession of an altered license or ID card is enough to be charged with a crime.

Permitting Misuse of License or ID
Lending your driver license or DMV-issued ID to another in order to obtain alcohol or entry to drinking establishments. You could be prosecuted for this offense even if the friend you loaned your license to never even used it.

Using Another's License or ID
Displaying another's driver license or DMV-issued ID to obtain alcohol or entry to drinking establishments

Unlawful Production of License or ID Card
Manufacturing or selling fake driver license or ID

False Swearing/False Application/Forgery
Presenting another's identification to DMV to obtain a license or ID card which shows incorrect name, date of birth or address information

Misrepresentation of Age by a Minor
Misrepresenting your age to gain entry to drinking establishments, even if you don't consume alcohol inside. The misrepresentation could be verbal, written (such as a certified statement of age) or by presentation of any type of identification card, whether or not issued by a DMV.

Holding Multiple Licenses or ID Cards<
Applying to DMV for a duplicate license or ID whether or not you lend your original license or DMV-issued ID to another

Giving False Info to Police Officer/Police Officer Issuing Citation
Misrepresenting your name, address or age to a police officer verbally, or by presenting a borrowed, fake or altered driver license or ID card


Most of these offenses are Class A Misdemeanor crimes, punishable by up to $5,000 or one year in jail, or both. Several unfortunate students have been prosecuted for Forgery (the act of signing your friend's name on a DMV license or ID application using your friend's birth certificate). This type of Forgery is a felony, punishable by up to $10,000 fine, 5 years in jail, or both.

In addition to any penalty imposed by the sentencing court, you may also lose your driver license for at least one year, even if you are not convicted of the offense. And if you are convicted, most of these offenses are crimes of fraud or deceit which are viewed as evidence of untruthfulness or dishonesty by employers, insurers and in security clearance situations. Moreover, because most fake ID charges are driving code offenses, they generally may not be expunged (erased) from your record. That means you may carry the resulting criminal conviction forever.

If you have a fake ID, destroy it. Most students are caught with fake ID by police officers watching you search your wallet for your real ID. Also, when your friends ask for your old license as you turn 21, don't hand it over. If your friend gets caught using the ID or inadvertently loses his wallet containing two sets of ID, the chances are both of you will wind up in criminal court.


This information is not intended to provide legal advice. Any incidental fee-paying University of Oregon student who has questions about false identification may call ASUO Legal Services at 346-4273 to arrange an appointment.