Overview of Alaska ID scanning laws
Alaska has 4 laws which we consider relevant to ID verification, in addition to other laws which may related to age verification, identity verification, KYC, privacy, and biometrics. Anchorage, Alaska also has city-specific ordinance related to ID scanning for alcohol sales.
Can you scan IDs in Alaska?
Yes. There are no laws prohibiting or regulating the electronic scanning of an ID in Alaska.
Can you save data from a scanned ID in Alaska?
Yes. There are no current laws which limit or restrict saving data from a scanned ID in Alaska.
Does Alaska offer affirmative defense for ID scanning?
No. Alaska has no affirmative defense laws related to ID scanning.
What types of IDs does Alaska issue?
Alaska issues drivers licenses and state IDs, including REAL ID. Due to the many tribal communities in Alaska, businesses who scan IDs in Alaska will also want to ensure compatibility with a wide variety of tribal ID cards. Alaska also issues “red stripe” IDs, which are IDs that indicate that sales of alcohol to the individual are prohibited.
Individual Alaska ID verification laws
Age verification for alcohol sales
Alaska requires that businesses check ID, but does not require electronic scanning or verification for alcohol sales.
Anchorage: Age verification for alcohol sales
Anchorage requires ID checks alcohol sales to prevent underage sales or sales to individuals with a “red stripe” on their license. Effective 3/1/2025.
Age verification for tobacco sales
Alaska requires that businesses check ID but does not require electronic scanning or verification for tobacco sales.
ID scanning for scrap yards
Alaska requires scrapyards and pawn shops to maintain a copy of the drivers license for three years. Enacted 2016
ID scanning for notaries
Alaska requires “credential proofing” by notaries, so the ID’s validity be proven by a third party source such as ID scanning software. Enacted 2022.
Data privacy laws in Alaska
Alaska does not have any data privacy laws beyond PIPA which was enacted in 2009. In 2022, three pieces of privacy-centric legislation were proposed, but all failed to be passed.
