Fake IDs in New Mexico
A Growing Problem

Like states across the nation, New Mexico is trying to meet the challenge of more fraudulent IDs whether presented in person or by digital image. Many of these fake IDs come from counterfeiters located overseas with sophisticated equipment. As stories below illustrate, fake identification is getting easier to obtain in New Mexico and is often associated with illegal alcohol purchases by minors and financial fraud.

ABQ Journal

Alcohol Sales & Service Guidelines for New Mexico

- Minimum age to consume: 21
- Minimum age to serve: 18
- Minimum age to bartend: 21
- Server/seller alcohol training required.

A person under 21 may not purchase alcoholic beverages as part of a law enforcement action.

Penalties for serving or selling to a minor: New Mexico has several penalties for selling or serving alcohol to minors, including fines, license suspension, and jail time:

  • First offense

A fine of $1,000–$2,000 and a minimum one-day suspension of alcohol sales

  • Second offense

A fine of $2,000–$3,000 and a minimum seven-day suspension of alcohol sales

  • Subsequent offenses

A fine of up to $1,000 and possible community service

  • License suspension or revocation

The director may suspend or revoke a license or permit, or both, and impose a fine of up to $10,000

  • Felony

A second offense is a fourth-degree felony that can result in up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine 

In addition, adults who provide alcohol to minors who are not their own children can be charged with a felony. Minors aged 18–21 can also be charged with misdemeanor possession of alcohol. Adults 18 and older can also be sued civilly for damages caused by giving alcohol to minors.


Get the Guide
  • id check during purchase of car
  • police officer checking id
  • identity verification at airline check-in counter
  • bartender verifying id of two patrons

How to Spot a Fake New Mexico ID

For law enforcement officers, bank tellers, car rental agents, human resources professionals and others who must verify ID in a professional capacity, the recent surge in fake IDs is challenging. The liability and losses that result from accepting a fake ID are large. The I.D. Checking Guide assists in the ID verification process by showing what an actual, valid ID looks like at full-size, and highlights the details of the licenses, making it much easier to spot the fraud. Before approving an expensive car rental, opening a new bank account or hiring a new employee, make sure the driver’s license or ID card has the correct numbering, UV, microprint, ghost images, expiration, and other details that counterfeiters often miss.

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What the I.D. Checking Guide Includes:

Place Order U.S Book Info
  • A full page or more for each U.S. state and Canadian province, showing driver’s licenses and ID cards.
  • Security image information for ghost images, laser perforation, microprint, UV and other validation details.
  • Explanation of what the proper alphanumeric sequencing of a New Mexico ID or Driver’s License should be (how many letters, numbers, etc.).
  • U.S. Federal documents including immigration, military ID, Visas and passport cards.
  • “How to check driver’s licenses” techniques for training.