The photo in a California issued ID appears to be altered. Is the ID still valid to determine the person's age?

In California, the validity of an ID is crucial for determining a person's age, especially in contexts such as alcohol sales. If the photo on the ID appears to be altered, this raises significant concerns regarding the authenticity of the ID itself. An altered photo may indicate that the ID has been tampered with or counterfeit, which can invalidate its use as a reliable form of identification.

The main purpose of an ID is to confirm the identity and age of the individual presenting it. An alteration undermines this purpose since it can significantly compromise the integrity of the document. For someone checking identification, it is essential to rely on an unaltered ID to ensure that the person is of legal age to purchase or consume alcohol. Therefore, if the photo appears altered, it is appropriate to consider the ID invalid for proving age. This consistent adherence to the rules ensures both legal compliance and safety in serving alcohol.