Digital proof of age for alcohol sales now in force as licensing authorities urged to update mandatory conditions

Digital proof of age can now be accepted for alcohol sales in licensed premises across England and Wales, following the coming into force of the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2026 on Tuesday 15 September 2026. The change allows licensed businesses to choose to accept certified digital proof of age alongside existing physical forms of identification.

Under the new arrangements, pubs, bars, restaurants, shops, music venues and other licensed premises can adopt certified digital age-verification services to confirm that a customer is aged 18 or over when purchasing alcohol. Physical identification documents will remain valid, and businesses are not required to adopt digital proof of age.

The Government has described the change as providing a secure, additional method for age verification, enabling customers to prove their age using certified digital identity services on their mobile phones without necessarily sharing wider personal information such as their name or address. The measures are intended to support faster and more secure age checks while maintaining existing safeguards against underage alcohol sales.

The legislation follows parliamentary approval of the amendment order earlier this year and now formally amends the mandatory licensing conditions relating to age verification. Digital proof of age must be provided through a certified Digital Verification Service listed on the statutory register and meeting the standards set out within the UK digital verification services trust framework.

Licensing authorities should note that the change is now in force and ensure that references to mandatory licensing conditions, licensing information, guidance material, policy documents, application advice and any locally published Challenge 21 or Challenge 25 information are reviewed and updated where necessary to reflect the revised legal position.

The Government has also confirmed that statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 has been updated to reflect the change, alongside additional non-statutory guidance for businesses and digital verification providers.

While the amendment introduces a new option for age verification, it does not alter the legal drinking age or the responsibility on licence holders to prevent underage sales. Licensed premises adopting digital proof of age remain responsible for ensuring that any digital age-verification service used complies with the requirements set out in the legislation and accompanying guidance.