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Age to Purchase Mobile App

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The Age to Purchase App assists Iowa retailers in verifying the age of customers when selling or serving alcohol, tobacco, alternative nicotine, or vapor products.

This app is strictly a supplemental tool and is not a replacement for any reasonable and necessary steps or factual evidence that may be needed to determine the age of a person. No personal information of the customer is stored on the device.

App Features:

  • Scan State-issued Physical IDs
  • Verify Iowa Mobile IDs - The capability to verify mobile IDs from additional states will be added as information becomes available.
  • Date of Birth Calculator
  • Age to Purchase Calendar
  • Physical ID Inspection Tips
  • Links to the I-PACT & I-PLEDGE Retailer Training Programs

Download the app

The Age to Purchase app is available for iOS and Android.

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

How to update to the latest version

iOS:

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Tap your profile icon at the top of the screen.
  3. Scroll to see pending updates and release notes. Tap "Update" next to an app to update only that app, or tap "Update All."

Google Play:

  1. Open the Google Play Store.
  2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
  3. Tap "Manage apps & device." Apps with an update available are labeled "Update available."
  4. Tap "Update."

How to use:

Open the app and agree to the disclaimer.

Physical ID Validation

  1. Tap "PHYSICAL ID VALIDATION"

  2. Tap on “I’m ready to scan.” Position the customer's physical ID so you can clearly see the full 2D barcode in the viewer.

  3. Verify the screen reads “OK” to purchase the requested product. Ensure that the person in front of you matches the photo on the physical ID. Verify the name and date of birth displayed in the scan results matches the physical ID. Also, confirm that the person in front of you appears to be the age listed in the scan results.

If you have any doubts on the validity of the physical ID or that the person in front of you matches the photo on the physical ID, refer to the “Physical ID Inspection Tips” page. This page can be found by navigating to the hamburger menu on the top left section of the app home screen.

  1. If the customer is underage, the app will display a screen with "NO" in red. Do not complete the sale if the customer is underage.

  2. If the physical ID is expired, the app will display "Expired License" with a red background. You should ask for another form of government-issued ID.

  3. If the app is unable to validate the physical ID, this screen will be displayed. This does NOT necessarily mean the physical ID is invalid. Refer to the “Physical ID Inspection Tips” page. This page can be found by navigating to the hamburger menu on the top left section of the app home screen.

Mobile ID Validation

Checking ID with a mobile ID is a contactless transaction, as information-sharing is initiated by scanning the mobile ID user’s QR code. You should never visually inspect the information on the mobile ID user’s phone to check ID or physically handle their device.

  1. Tap “MOBILE ID VALIDATION”

  2. Ask the customer to present their Iowa Mobile ID QR code.

  3. Tap on “I’m ready to scan.” Have the customer position their phone so you can clearly see the full QR code in the viewer.

  4. The customer will be prompted to allow verification. The customer has to consent on their device before information will pass over to you.

  5. Verify the screen reads “OK” to purchase the requested product. Ensure that the portrait from the results screen matches the person in front of you.

If you are unsure if the portrait from the results screen matches the person in front of you, try one or more of the suggested options:

  • Ask the person to unlock their Iowa Mobile ID with face recognition.
  • Ask the person to view their state-issued physical ID and follow the instructions for Physical ID Validation.
  • Ask the person to view another form of government-issued ID. Refer to the “Physical ID Inspection Tips” page for further information. This page can be found by navigating to the hamburger menu on the top left section of the app home screen.
  • If in doubt, you have the right to refuse the sale.

  1. If the customer is underage, you will see a screen similar to this. Do not complete the sale if the customer is underage.

  2. If the customer fails to approve verification by the app, or the Mobile ID is from a state that is not supported you may see this screen. Ask the person to view their state-issued physical ID and follow the instructions for Physical ID Validation.

The app currently verifies Iowa Mobile IDs. The capability to verify mobile IDs from additional states will be added as information becomes available. Up to date information regarding verification of mobile IDs from additional states will be provided in this section.

For more information on Iowa Mobile ID, including how to enroll and how to use mobile ID, visit iowadot.gov.

Enter Date of Birth

  1. Tap "ENTER DATE OF BIRTH"

  2. Enter the date of birth in the format listed, MM/DD/YYYY.

  3. The calculated age is displayed. This does not confirm a physical ID is valid. Verify the screen reads “OK” to purchase the requested product. Ensure that the person in front of you matches the photo. Follow the instructions listed on the “Physical ID Inspection Tips” page. This page can be found by navigating to the hamburger menu on the top left section of the app home screen.

  4. If the calculated age is underage, the screen will display the age and the word "NO" in red. Ensure that you correctly entered the date of birth listed on the physical ID. Do not complete the sale if the customer is underage.

Age to Purchase Calendar

  1. Tap "AGE TO PURCHASE CALENDAR"

  2. The calendar displays the date customers need to be born after to purchase alcohol, tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products.. After checking the born after date, follow the instructions listed on the “Physical ID Inspection Tips” page. This page can be found by navigating to the hamburger menu on the top left section of the app home screen.

Physical ID Inspection Tips
  • Check the Date of Birth and Expiration Date (DOB, EXP)
  • Ensure that the customer is the person in the photo
  • Check for tampering (altered photo, lamination, etc.)
  • Ask for another form of identification to make the name and photo on the ID
  • When in doubt, refuse the sale

Only confiscate an ID if you can verify, by factual evidence, that it is falsified, altered, or belongs to another person.

Disclaimer

This application is strictly a supplemental tool to assist a liquor control licensee or wine or beer permittee or tobacco permittee or an employee of the licensee or permittee in determining the age of a person who wishes to purchase an alcoholic beverage or tobacco, alternative nicotine, or vapor product at a licensed premises. This application is not a replacement for any reasonable and necessary steps or factual evidence that may be needed to determine the age of a person.

The State of Iowa is not liable for any claims, damages, or injury of any kind you may sustain arising out of or relating in any way to your use of this application. The State of Iowa will not, under any circumstances, be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages of any kind, even if the State of Iowa has been advised of the possibility of such damages arising out of: (1) your use of or inability to use this application or the information, products, or services made available on it; (2) your reliance on any information available on this application; or (3) any other matter related to this application or the information, products, or services made available on it. These limitations of liability, and any other limitations of liability in this policy, shall apply regardless of any legal or equitable theory of liability, including, without limitation, theories of tort, contract or otherwise, and shall not be limited to third party claims.

The State of Iowa and its agencies, officials and employees make no warranty, representation or guarantee as to the content, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided herein. The State of Iowa expressly disclaims any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing the information contained in this application, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of this application, or the information contained herein. Reliance on the information contained on this application, is done solely at your own risk. The information may change or be altered at any time.

The State of Iowa has no obligation to detect the presence of any malicious programming. When user downloads any software or other materials or makes use of any other information on this application, the user does so at their own risk and are advised to take adequate precautions (including use of anti-virus software and file backup procedures) to minimize any loss to their system caused by malicious programming. The State of Iowa assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for any damage to a user’s system, computer equipment, data, or other property resulting from access to or use of this application, downloading of any information from the application, or from any malicious programming contained on this application.

You agree to hold harmless and indemnify the State of Iowa and its agencies, officials, and employees from and against any claims, actions, suits, liabilities, damages, losses, settlements, demands, deficiencies, judgments, fines, penalties, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable value of time of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and the costs, expenses and attorney fees of other counsel retained by any Indemnitee) suffered by, incurred by, accrued against, charged to, or recoverable by the State, its agents, officers, or employees that arise out of or are related in any way to your use of this application.

For more information, the state of Iowa policies can be found by visiting https://www.iowa.gov/policies.

Please send questions or feedback to: agetopurchase@iowaabd.com