What is the proper procedure for verifying a guest's age when serving alcohol?

• A. Verify by listening to the guest's voice.
• B. Accept a photocopy of any ID.
• C. Check if they look old enough and proceed.
• D. Politely request a valid government-issued ID and verify date of birth.

Answer: (D)

Verifying age hinges on using a trustworthy, verifiable source. The proper procedure is to politely request a valid government-issued ID from the guest and verify the date of birth on that ID. This provides a reliable, standardized check you can use to confirm the guest is of legal drinking age and to ensure the document is actually current and valid (checking expiration and security features). Relying on appearance or voice is not dependable, since people can look older or younger than their actual age. Accepting a photocopy of an ID doesn’t give you a verifiable, current source and can be easier to counterfeit or misuse. By confirming the real birth date on a government-issued ID, you stay compliant and help prevent underage service.