Tips on Generating Fake ID
by DrNick
So you want to get drunk this weekend. Or buy some cigarettes. It is sometimes easier to buy marijuana and take advantage of the black market brought on by the "War on Drugs." Or, follow on and learn how to kill your brain cells with alcohol.
Disclaimer
Fake ID is both a state and federal crime.
If caught you might not be charged with both, but who knows? Making a fake ID is illegal in many states. It is usually a crime to alter existing state-issued ID, or to create a new fake ID. These crimes include forgery and fraud. They are no fun to get charged with. Using a fake ID to purchase alcohol or cigarettes is often a crime as well. These crimes all differ from state to state, so check your local laws. I do not advocate creating a fake or fraudulent ID. This information is for informational and novelty use only. Do not break any laws. This is not intended for anyone evading prosecution, warrants, etc. I will not hinder prosecution. I do not know how to create a new identity.
Getting ID
You can make it yourself or buy it.
Some texts you might read talk about birth certificates and death certificates and all that crap. This article will help you make your own ID. This ID is intended primarily to get you into bars and help you buy beer. Don't even bother trying to fool a cop or fed with it.
Making It Yourself
You will need a combination of the following tools, but these are just guidelines.
You should try experimenting with different combinations and seeing which one works best for your IDs! You can probably find all you need here at Staples or your local stationery store.
1.) Computer (if you don't have one just forget it)
2.) Color scanner for computer (or access to a friend's)
3.) Color printer (hardcore = die-sub printers, for home hacking try Epson 400, 600, 800 series)
4.) Software (Adobe Photoshop, PaintShop Pro, etc.)
5.) Cutting Tool: X-Acto knife (preferred method) or really sharp short blade on Swiss Army knife (used to cut out the printed ID from the rest of the paper)
6.) Adhesive: strong glue stick or double-sided Scotch tape (experiment here)
7.) Posterboard or manila file folder or MetroCard (strengthens the card - experiment here)
8.) Contact paper (optional - use only to get the right "look" or "feel")
9.) Paper to print front of ID on - high-quality inkjet or photoglossy depending on ID. Don't even bother with copy paper.
10.) The ID you want to fake (whether it be New York, Connecticut, LILCO, or Bell Atlantic)
11.) Nail file (for smoothing ID's edges). Also you might want to try 3M ID cards. They come two to a sheet. Experiment.
How To Make It
1.) You need an ID or a template. You need to know what the legitimate 21-year-old version of the ID looks like. It's good if you have a legit ID on hand to compare yours with. Get The I.D. Checking Guide as an invaluable reference tool. It is a great book worth ordering. If you need to scan in your own picture or ID make sure it is very clean. Use a high-resolution - 720 DPI is good. You must use at least 24-bit resolution. Making your own template is as easy as recognizing the important information on the ID and how to correctly present it.
2.) Follow what the template says. Put the picture in the right place. Fill in the right blanks.
3.) Find a good medium to print on and work with. Remember, you are going to need a front and back for this ID. I have seen fake NY state IDs using recycled Learner's Permits. The new fake front is glued on top of a learners permit so the back is the same. Sometimes, though, you don't have an old license around. If you don't, then scan the back of the driver's license and print it out on posterboard. Use the posterboard as the back. It's not perfect but close. Again, you are encouraged to experiment and see if you can find something better. This is part of the process and helps you stay on your game as an artist.
4.) Print the front out. Use a high quality paper. Photo glossy is not necessary and is sometimes too thick or glossy for the job. Depending on what ID you are imitating you may or may not need a laminating surface.
5.) Use a glue stick or double-stick tape to adhere the front of your ID to the back.
6.) Trim the corners with the knife (if necessary). You might want to use a nail file to smooth the edges on the ID.
Purchasing Fake ID
If you live in a big city (New York), walk down to the business districts (Times Square, 8th Avenue) and you can find some shops. I am not 100% sure as I have never done this myself but my friends have. Look and listen.
In New York you can sometimes buy fake ID in the back of luggage shops. Weird but true. It is often some fake looking out-of-state or some bad college ID, but see if it suits your needs. Most of the net is full of crappy novelty ID, nothing to buy beer with. Info on the net will help you make your own.
Using the ID
So, you finally got an ID.
One that says you're 21 or 18 or however old you need to be to buy items (to exercise your property rights!). So, now that you've invested $20-$100 you're all set, right? Wrong! Here is free advice. Take it.
Kant says the only right acts are those with good intentions. I try. Don't consume alcohol in public where doing so is prohibited by law (i.e., on the street). This is because it is illegal and when some cop finds out you are not only drinking on his streets but not even 21 he will throw a fit. Save yourself the trouble. Whether your ID is successful or not depends on many things. Some are beyond your control, such as a club's policy on fake ID. Some are within your control, such as how you present yourself and what you exude.
Factors beyond your control: The setting: the bar, restaurant, store. Hopefully you can choose a place that is easily passable.
Possibly within your control: Your server/bouncer. When in a grocery store do go towards the 19-year-old cashier. The younger ones usually care less about this whole ID thing. Do take advantage of the Korean/Pakistani immigrant grocer. In the midst of all of Guiliani's "law and order" crackdown, my friend at NYU can still buy his Coronas quite easily. The immigrant clerk questions my friend "ID?" To which my friend replies (with a smile), "Yes, ID." Your biggest friend is your great personality. Look happy and confident and you will walk away with the goods. Don't panic!
What You Can Do
Know your fake birthday, name, address, ZIP Code and all that info on the card as well as your Zodiac sign.
Go to a place that has accepted your ID in the past! This is my best advice.
When waiting on a line for admission to a club, have the ID ready - be confident!
When you are purchasing at a grocery store or take-out place, it is nice to have it ready to present to the cashier. Try to view it as a formality that you are accustomed to engaging in. You are used to getting carded... remember?
In a restaurant, chances are about 50/50 you will be carded when ordering from a waiter. If you are with your parents these odds decrease, with your friends these odds increase. However, I have been denied in older company and served with my friends.
Related Web Sites (as of 3/28/98)
How to Spot Fake ID.... and Not Be fooled Some asshole denying you beer and smokes!
The Fake ID Page Templates!
I.D. Checking Guide Very good book! Order it today!
Fake Identification Information
Guide to U.S. & Canadian Drivers License Security Techniques! Invaluable!!
In closing, here is a helpful excerpt from How to Spot Fake ID... and Not Be fooled.
"Over the past two years selling cigarettes, I have found there are a number of dead-giveaways minors continually do, but never catch on to. (Some of these cannot be avoided anyway!)"
"Minors usually will have their ID ready in their hand as they walk in the door. If this happens, be suspicious."
"On a related note, minors will usually produce ID very quickly after you ask for it."
"Minors will usually produce an abundance of minor ID, such as a student card. This minor ID is usually something that doesn't have a picture or a birthday, just a name. Or they will produce one piece of ID hoping you will take it."
"Minors will usually be nervous. Trembling in their hands or stuttering is usual."