18+ Proof of Age Card
The sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products, alcohol, fireworks, intoxicating substances, videos and petrol are all controlled by laws which restrict the age at which they can be bought. Retailers and licensees can find it difficult to assess the age of young people wishing to buy these goods. The Proof of Age card helps them comply with the law.
The cards are prescribed as one of the documents which may be produced for the purpose of proving the age of the holder under Section 23(7) of the Licensing Act 1995 (evidence of age). It should be pointed out however that no business is obliged to grant entry or serve any person if they choose not to. The card is therefore not a guarantee of entry or service but is none the less widely accepted across Island businesses.
Every application for a Proof of Age card must be authorised by a professionally qualified adult, e.g. doctor, teacher, police officer, magistrate etc or supported by a current passport and every application is vetted to check that the applicant is 18 or over. Security measures are built into the card to ensure that it cannot be counterfeited.
You can download an application form by clicking here.
The completed application form must be brought in person to the Office with the required documents, where a digital photograph will be taken and printed directly onto the card. The cost of the card is £5 which can be paid by cash, postal order or cheque (accompanied by a cheque card) and it will be issued by post to the applicant within 7 days of application following the completion of the vetting checks.
The Office of Fair Trading has been granted PASS accreditation for the 18+ Proof of Age Card. PASS is a UK national guarantee scheme for proof of age cards. To obtain accreditation the Island’s card scheme had to pass a stringent audit, carried out by PASS appointed card scheme auditors to ensure that the card and the processes used to produce it are secure and can be relied upon.
The accreditation means that the cards carry an additional hologram bearing the PASS logo. The PASS logo on a card is recognised throughout the UK as a secure method of proving age and the new card will be of particular benefit to those young Manx people who are in higher education in the UK or who need to use their card to buy age-restricted goods whilst there on holiday. More information can be found in our press release.
Problems with the use of your card
If you experience any difficulties in having your card accepted for service or entry please complete and return the Card Refusal Form.
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