DECEMBER 19, 2025
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Beginning on January 1, 2026, a new law requires all establishments that are licensed to sell alcohol to check the ID for every customer purchasing alcohol, regardless of age appearance. A key distinction to understand is when customer’s ID is required to be electronically scanned. The table below explains which licensees must electronically scan IDs.
Key Takeaways:
- Starting Jan. 1, 2026, 100% ID for everyone. This means that all customers purchasing alcohol in Utah, regardless of age appearance, must present an acceptable form of ID for verification.
- Businesses that use ID scanners do not need to replace and can continue using their existing scanners. (The state legislature will consider this piece of the law in their upcoming 2026 General Session. The DABS will update as we learn new information.)
- All businesses that sell alcohol must look for “No Alcohol Sale” language on IDs issued by the state of Utah, to confirm whether the individual is prohibited from purchasing and consuming alcohol.
The Law Change and How it Impacts You
House Bill 437
Amendments to a law passed in the Utah legislature earlier this year (HB 437) requires the Driver License Division to create an identification card that indicates whether someone is an “interdicted person.” The interdicted person identification card notes that, based upon court order, a person may not be sold alcohol. The law requires all licensees to check whether a customer is an “interdicted person” before they are sold alcohol, which effectively means licensees are required to check IDs 100% of the time. See the table below for which licensees must electronically scan IDs.
New Interdicted IDs
The Utah Driver License Division has finalized the design for the ID cards that will be provided to individuals deemed “interdicted” by the courts. Those cards have the language, “NO ALCOHOL SALE” above the individual’s photo. This will enable a quick visible check to know whether the person attempting to purchase alcohol is not permitted to do so by law.
New ID Scanners
Establishments such as restaurants and bars that use ID scanners for age verification can continue using their current scanners. The ID scanners may not catch whether the ID is that of an interdicted individual. Employees checking IDs should rely on the visible ID check for the “No Alcohol Sale” language on the ID card. (See above)
Number of Interdicted IDs
Those individuals who are designated “interdicted” by a judge will not begin receiving the new ID until January 2026. The ID notation is not retroactive, therefore we can expect to see very few interdicted IDs in the state as the law first becomes effective.
Passports
Passports will not be adjusted to include an “interdicted” notation. Yes, passports remain an acceptable form of ID.
ID Check Requirements as of Jan. 1, 2026 based on DABS License Types
NOTE: ID checks and electronic scanning only applies to customers ordering alcoholic beverages or entering a bar or tavern.
The Utah State Legislature may consider updates to parts of this new law in their upcoming legislative session that begins in January 2026. The DABS will watch the legislative session closely and update licensees if additional changes are made.
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