Illinois e-News Release

11/19/2025

312-814-4459

Please be advised that effective November 19, 2025, the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State (ILSOS) will begin offering Mobile Identification Cards, “Mobile IDs,” which will allow Illinois driver’s license and state identification card holders to present their Illinois driver’s licenses and state identification cards digitally via the digital wallet incorporated into the Apple iPhone or Apple Watch.  

Under Illinois law, a Mobile ID is an acceptable form of identification which can be used by an individual to prove that they are twenty-one (21) years of age or older, similar to the use of a physical driver’s license or identification card.  

“As technology evolves, public safety remains a shared responsibility. At the ILCC, reducing youth access to alcohol is central to our mission, and Mobile IDs represent a major step forward: their encrypted, tamper-resistant design makes them far harder to falsify, helping prevent illegal underage sales. By using Mobile ID verification tools, businesses can more confidently confirm age at the point of service, strengthening statewide efforts in education, enforcement, and compliance,” said ILCC Executive Director Lisa Gardner. 

Please note that a customer cannot simply “show” their Mobile ID to a server, clerk or law enforcement personnel. Businesses are required to verify the validity of the Mobile ID before accepting it as proof of age. The easiest way to complete this verification is by using the ILSOS Mobile ID Check App, available for iPhone users through the Apple App Store. This app is provided at no cost to ILCC licensees.

For retailers, restaurants, event venues, and bars across our state, this launch is more than a technological milestone, it is a practical tool that helps make daily operations safer, smoother, and more secure. Mobile IDs are significantly harder to counterfeit, reducing the risk of fraudulent IDs while protecting customer information.

Licensed establishments may also use an ISO 18013-5 compliant reader, though obtaining such equipment may involve additional costs. Verification by any other method does not satisfy the business’ obligation to confirm age prior to an alcohol sale.

For convenience, the Mobile ID Check App can be downloaded directly from the App Store. A list of vendors offering ISO 18013-5 readers is provided below.

While the ILCC does not endorse nor recommend any particular company, product or service referenced herein, the following vendors are among those known to offer ISO 18013-5 reader solutions: Desko, Acuant Store (IDology), MyNextID, Adaptive Recognition, CredenceID, MATTR Global, Veridos, Incode, IDScan.net, E-Seek Inc., and Socket Mobile.

Additional guidance and training materials on the ILSOS Mobile ID Check App will be distributed at a later date. For questions or further information, please contact the Illinois Secretary of State at [email protected]  Licensees are responsible for ensuring full compliance with the approved verification procedures.

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s mission is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Illinois through careful control and regulation of the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic liquors and through the development of strategies to reduce youth access to alcohol products and the provision of training and education on responsible beverage service.

To learn more about the ILCC and its divisions, visit www.ILCC.Illinois.gov. To submit a tip or complaint to the ILCC’s Enforcement Division, click here.