e+ PASS Proof of Age Card

e+ card

What is PASS?

The Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) is a UK wide accredited proof of age scheme, backed by the British Retail Consortium, the Home Office, Thames Valley Police and Bracknell Forest Borough Council (BFBC) to help retailers stay within the law when selling age-restricted goods. The issuer must certify the holder’s date of birth and identity so you can be certain a PASS card is valid and reliable.

The Bracknell Forest e+ PASS card as proof of age

The e+ card has been granted PASS accreditation and is a reliable proof of age. Over 6,000 cards have been issued to under 21s in the borough. Having an e+ PASS card means young people can reliably prove their age without having to carry a passport or driving licence. As the e+ card is a smartcard, the current age of the cardholder can also be read through the electronic e+ PASS card reader.

What to look for

The PASS holographic logo - the authentic hologram shows the word PASS in silvery white on a background of a rainbow pattern when held under the light
The holder’s date of birth
The holder’s full name
A clear, recognisable colour photograph of the holder.

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Information for retailers

Download the PDF e PASS Retailer Leaflet (146kb) and PDF e PASS Retailer Poster (173kb)

For more information about the proof of age scheme and the e+ PASS card:

Tel: 01344 352000 and ask for the e+ Smartcard Team
Email: info.smartcard@ bracknell-forest.gov.uk

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Under 21 and need to prove your age?

e+ Card If you want to buy age restricted goods or get young person’s discounts, you need an e+ PASS card.

Whether you are 18 and want to buy alcohol or 14 and want to buy cheaper tickets at the cinema or on the bus, an e+ PASS card is a reliable proof of age.

Having an e+ PASS card means you can prove your age without having to carry a passport or driving licence. PASS cards are accepted nationally as reliable proof of age. The PASS scheme is backed by the police and government.

Anyone aged 10-21 years can apply for a free e+ PASS card at any Bracknell Forest library or Bracknell Leisure Centre, Edgbarrow and Sandhurst Sports Centres or Downshire Golf Complex. Some schools in Bracknell Forest are also ordering e+ PASS cards for their students.

What proof do you need to apply for PASS card?

Unless your school is ordering cards, when you apply, you will need to provide proof of your address and date of birth. If you are aged 12 or older you will need to provide photographic proof of your date of birth (such as a passport or driving licence) or a referee will need to complete a PDF e PASS Proof of Age Referee Form (70kb) about you. Under 16s need a parent or guardian to complete their application.

Please note that when applying for an e+ PASS card, a recent paid bill or bank or building society statement from your home address is also necessary to verify that the address is current and valid.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council staff will need to see and record details of photographic proof of age on the e+ PASS application form and sign to say they have done so or the full referee process will need to be completed.

For ages 12-21 acceptable forms of photographic age and identity proof are:

Passport
Photo Driving Licence
Other PASS accredited card such as Citizen card
EU National Identity Card
Home Office Immigrant ID Card

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If you are aged 12-21 and have no existing photographic proof but do wish to use your card for proof of age, you must complete the e+ PASS Referee form (R07) and provide the following:

A clear recognisable photograph (with no hats or dark glasses worn)
The photo must be signed, dated and endorsed on the reverse by the referee
A photocopy of an original verifying document signed and dated by the referee who must have seen the original document

The following notes explain who is eligible to act as a referee for proof of age:

Referees may not be close relatives of the applicant or have guardian, foster parent or carer status in relation to the applicant.

A referee must know you sufficiently to verify your identity and age and be one of the following:

Careers/Connexions Advisor
Teacher, Tutor, Lecturer
Qualified Librarian
Dentist, Doctor, Optician, Pharmacist, Vet
Elected Local Authority Councillor
Judge, Sheriff, Magistrate, Barrister, Solicitor
Bank Manager, Accountant
MP (including MEP, AMW, AMNI, MSP)
Minister or other official of religion
Police Officer or Police civilian staff
Trading Standards or Environmental Health Officer

The referee must give their occupation and work contact details, including a land line telephone number at their place of work on the form.

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They must also sign a declaration on the form to the effect that they know:

You and your current age
That it is a criminal offence to provide false information to obtain proof of age documents

The form must be returned with the photograph, signed and dated on the reverse with the words ‘this is a true likeness of …(name of applicant)…’

Once the process has been completed, you should take or return the completed referee form RO7 to the service enrolment point in a library or leisure centre.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council will then contact the person who has acted as referee and follow a specified procedure to confirm the validity of the application.

Download the PDF e PASS Proof of Age Referee Form (70kb)

Download the PDF e PASS Leaflet (306kb)

For more information: