What is the first step in checking a customer’s ID for age verification?

The first step in checking a customer’s ID for age verification involves verifying that the ID is valid. This foundational step is critical because it ensures that the document presented is an authentic form of identification issued by an appropriate authority. Validity checks may involve examining the ID for signs of tampering or counterfeiting and confirming that it falls within acceptable parameters for age verification.

Once you have established that the ID is indeed valid, you can then proceed to other checks such as ensuring the ID is not expired, matching it with the customer’s appearance, or looking for specific security features like a government authority seal. Each of these follow-up checks serves to further confirm the authenticity of the presented ID and the age of the individual. However, without first establishing the ID's validity, none of the subsequent checks can be fully effective, making this initial verification a critical element of the process.