What forms of identification are acceptable to prove that someone is twenty one years of age or older, so that person may be served, delivered, or allowed to possess or purchase alcoholic beverage
If a licensee is charged with permitting the service, delivery, or possession of alcoholic beverages by a person under twenty one years of age, under current state law, a licensee has a defense only if the licensee can affirmatively prove that prior to permitting the service, delivery or possession of alcoholic beverages by a person, the licensee requested, was shown, examined and reasonably relied on either:
    1) A Massachusetts Driver’s License;
    2) A Massachusetts Liquor Identification Card;
    3) A Massachusetts Identification Card;
    4) A Passport Issued by the United States or a government that is officially recognized by the United States;
    5) A Passport Card for a Passport issued by the United States; and
    6) A Military Identification Card.

Reliance by a licensee on any other form of identification to determine proof of age does not give the licensee a defense. As of December 1, 2012, neither the state Liquor Control Act nor the regulations of the ABCC require identification to be checked as a condition to selling or delivering an alcoholic beverage to any person (except in the case of certain deliveries to consumers at their homes or offices). Each licensee is left to decide for itself what policy to establish on checking identification prior accepting orders for, selling and delivering alcoholic beverages. Some licensees adopt a conservative policy, as they may legally do under the Liquor Control Act and the ABCC regulations, and require proof of age from any person who appears to be younger than thirty years of age and accept as proof of age only the six pieces of identification that give a licensee a defense to any criminal conviction, civil liability and/or administrative prosecution.


Therefore, while a licensee may choose to rely upon any form of identification to obtain proof of age, only these specific six forms of identification provide a defense to a charge of service, delivery, or possession of alcoholic beverages by a person under twenty-one years of age. * - from mass.gov/abcc

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1. When does an individual need a license?
2. How many classifications of retail licenses exist?
3. What are the four categories of retail liquor licenses?
4. How many different types of pouring licenses are there?
5. Can a patron bring their own alcohol into my establishment?
6. How long does a licensee have to appeal to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) a decision made by the local licensing authority?
7. How long does a licensee have to appeal a decision made by the ABCC?
8. Can a retailer use his/her license to secure a loan?
9. What are the different kinds of liquor assets/property that can be pledged?
10. Do Local Licensing Authority's set the hours during which restaurants can serve alcoholic beverages on weekdays?
11. Can everyone bring their own beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages into an establishment (so-called “BYOB”)?
12. What forms of identification are acceptable to prove that someone is twenty one years of age or older, so that person may be served, delivered, or allowed to possess or purchase alcoholic beverage
13. Do restaurants, hotels, function halls and package stores need to meet certain requirements while conducting a wine tasting, malt beverages and spirit tastings?
14. Can Section 12 (on-premises) establishments with wine and malt licenses serve cordials and liqueurs?
15. Is the ABCC required to accept from a licensee a fine as an offer in compromise in lieu of suspension?
16. Can a retail package store use a coupon to advertise or give a discount in the price of alcoholic beverages?
17. Can a bar, restaurant, or hotel offer a free drink?
18. Can a restaurant allow a patron to go home with a bottle of wine purchased with dinner?
19. Can a bar, restaurant, or hotel increase the price for alcoholic beverages during the evenings when they have entertainment?
20. Can a licensee change a manager, stockholder, officer, director, the holder of an interest in the license or take on a new partner or investor at any time?
21. When can I start selling and allowing my customers to drink alcoholic beverages on my newly added patio area?
22. I’m holding an event and applying for a special one-day license. Can I get alcohol from my local package store to serve at the event?
23. Where can I find the forms I need to apply for a new liquor license or modify my existing liquor license?
24. The answer to my question was not in this FAQ. Where can I go to get answers?