State and federal laws generally prohibit the possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of a false or fake driver’s license, identification card, military ID, passport, state or federal employee identification card, or other identification documents (fake ID). The legal definition of a fake ID is generally an ID that has been (1) altered, (2) falsified, (3) forged, (4) duplicated, (5) reproduced, or (6) counterfeited.

In many states, possession of a fake ID may be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony, with fines, community service, probation, suspension of driver’s license, and possible jail time. Some colleges and universities impose additional penalties on students who are convicted of possessing a fake ID—including dismissal from the college or university. And fraud in connection with identification documents may also be a federal crime. See 18 U.S. Code §1028.

Fake ID laws are usually located in a state’s statutes—in the penal or criminal code, the alcoholic beverage code, or the transportation or motor vehicle code.

In Maine, as in other states, it is illegal to possess, use, manufacture, or distribute a fake ID. Maine law considers a fake ID to be any identification that has been altered, falsified, forged, duplicated, reproduced, or counterfeited. The penalties for fake ID offenses in Maine can vary, but they may include misdemeanor or felony charges, resulting in fines, community service, probation, suspension of a driver's license, and even jail time. Additionally, colleges and universities in Maine may impose their own sanctions on students found with a fake ID, which could include dismissal from the institution. On the federal level, fraudulent activities related to identification documents are criminalized under 18 U.S. Code §1028. This federal statute addresses the fraudulent creation, transfer, or possession of identification documents and can lead to significant penalties, including imprisonment. It is important for individuals in Maine to understand the serious consequences of fake ID-related offenses and to comply with both state and federal laws.