Starting January 1, 2026, Utah’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS) is implementing a new “100% ID” requirement: every customer purchasing alcohol must present acceptable ID, regardless of age or appearance.
This is a major operational shift for bars, restaurants, taverns, and other licensed alcohol sellers, especially for teams used to making judgment calls based on looks. No matter the age or how they look, every ID now needs to be scanned.
Below is what the law changes, what it means for day-to-day operations, and how Patronscan helps venues stay ready across jurisdictions without relying on cheap, off-the-shelf scanners.
Utah’s new H.B. 437 Interdicted Person Amendments requires 100% ID checks for customers purchasing alcohol.
DABS specifically notes there’s a key distinction between checking ID vs electronically scanning it, and that the requirements vary by license type. DABS also clarifies that ID checks/scanning apply to customers ordering alcoholic beverages or entering a bar or tavern.
Utah is introducing IDs for individuals deemed “interdicted” by the courts. These IDs include “NO ALCOHOL SALE” printed above the individual’s photo for a quick visual check. DABS also instructs businesses to look for this “No Alcohol Sale” language on Utah-issued IDs.
If you already use ID scanners for age verification, such as Patronscan, DABS says you can continue using them but keep up-to-date with any potential legislative updates in 2026.
ID Check Requirements Table from https://abs.utah.gov/new-id-law-2026/
Utah liquor enforcement can involve both criminal referrals and administrative action on a license. Outcomes can include fines, suspension, or revocation, and other disciplinary actions.
Off-the-shelf scanners can read a barcode, and that’s it. That’s not the same as Patronscan, which performs UV and IR Light checks, helping your team run safer, faster, and consistent operations.
Patronscan is built for venues that need:
Utah is one example of how quickly requirements can change. Patronscan is used by venues operating across different cities, states, and provinces, where laws, enforcement, and expectations can vary.
Instead of duct-taping together a cheap device and a manual process, Patronscan helps teams standardize how they check IDs and communicate policies across locations.
When your entry line is backed up at 10:30 pm on a Saturday, “email us Monday” isn’t good enough. And if your device happens to go down, it’s not an excuse to law enforcement to bypass compliance. A premium platform is about reliability and support, so your team is not stuck troubleshooting in panic.
Utah’s new law makes ID verification more consistent, and raises the importance of having a process your staff can follow every time.
If you operate in Utah (or manage multiple jurisdictions), now is the time to tighten your SOPs, train staff on “NO ALCOHOL SALE” IDs, and ensure your tools can keep up with both compliance and throughput.
Want to see how Patronscan supports 100% ID workflows?
Book a demo to see the Handheld in action and learn how teams standardize compliance across locations: https://www.patronscan.com/request-a-demo