Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AgeChecker.Net?
AgeChecker.Net is an age verification technology used by online stores that sell age-restricted products such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol, etc. Age verification is required by many federal and state laws. Our job is to provide websites with legally accepted records showing that their sales have been age verified. We do so in a way that is as unobtrusive to you, the customer, as possible.
What information is required?
For most customers, we only require name, date of birth, and address. If we cannot verify your age automatically, we will prompt you to submit an image of your government-issued photo ID - the same one you would present in a retail store to buy the same product. Please note that our software is often able to retrieve your name and address automatically from your payment or shipping credentials. In this case, you will only have to input your date of birth manually.
How do I upload my photo ID?
To make it as easy as possible, we have three options for sending us a photo ID:
- Take a picture using your webcam directly from our popup.
- Upload an image saved on any device.
- Enter your mobile phone number and we'll text you a link to complete the process on your phone.
What kinds of photo IDs do you accept?
If you are prompted to submit a photo ID to complete the age verification process, we will accept a government-issued ID such as a driver's license, state identification card, military ID, or passport. Your name, date of birth, and the expiration date must be visible, and name on the ID must match the name on the rest of your order information. The date of birth you enter into our popup must also match the ID, even if both are above the minimum age. Accurate records will allow you to pass the ID prompt next time. Certain IDs, such as military IDs, require images of the front and back to show us the necessary information. If you are having trouble uploading two images in one submission through our popup, please email them as attachments to help@agechecker.net and we will manually verify your order. Since we delete ID submissions automatically, two separate submissions cannot be verified.
How is my information secured?
The information you provide is used solely to verify your age. We never share or sell data to third-parties. Your privacy and security are important to us. Access to all of our services is protected with strong 256-bit AES encryption. All personal information is stored on a private internal network that is not connected to the internet. We will securely store your date of birth, name, and address so that we can verify you without photo ID if you order again. Photo IDs are not automatically stored; they are deleted as soon as you are verified. In some instances you will be prompted for consent to store your Photo ID if the website is required to meet compliance requirements. For more information, see our privacy policy.
How long does it take to be verified?
We can verify about 90% of U.S. customers instantly using just their name, address, and date of birth. If you cannot be verified automatically using basic order information, you will be prompted to submit an image of your photo ID. This process is easy and occurs within our popup; you will not be redirected from the checkout page. Once you have submitted a photo ID, it usually takes 10 to 30 seconds to verify you, depending on the number of requests in our queue.
Can I cover sensitive information on my photo ID?
No. In order to ensure the validity of the information on a Photo ID we need to make sure that the ID is clearly visible.
Do I have to get verified every time I order?
If you've uploaded an ID once and use the same name, address, and date of birth for your next order, you won't be asked to submit an ID again. If one of those three things changes or is entered inaccurately, we won't recognize you, triggering the ID prompt. There are certain exceptions, however. Websites can customize our settings to require an ID for every customer, whether new or returning. Settings vary from website to website and are updated at the website's discretion.
What if I don't live in the U.S.?
Customers outside the U.S. are still required to submit their information for our records. We use IP geolocation to determine that you are outside the U.S. then refer to rules the website has chosen for international orders or your specific country: they may block purchases, require an ID for every international purchase (our team is equipped to verify foreign IDs), ask you to self-certify age, or disable age verification.
I thought I was of legal age to buy this product! Why is it saying I'm not?
We provide age verification services to a variety of business types. Most sell age-restricted merchandise such as alcohol or tobacco. Some may simply want to check your eligibility for a senior discount - our software is not one-size-fits-all. Every website chooses their own age requirements and our software enforces them. On December 20th, 2019 the federal legal age to purchase tobacco products, which include electronic cigarettes, was raised from 18 to 21 across the U.S. when the President signed legislation to amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The federal law supersedes state and local age requirements. Whether or not settings reflect current regulations is up to each website. For instance, many websites required all customers to be 21+ far before it became law, even if the state regulation was 18+. Some use our software to block purchasing entirely from states or cities. We uphold the settings websites choose and cannot override them. We understand that you may have a unique scenario and want to ask for an exception, but as a third party we simply uphold website requirements. Please contact the website directly if you have questions about their minimum age policies.
Who do I contact for support?
If you are experiencing any issues during the age verification process, please email our support team at help@agechecker.net. We are available around the clock. To resolve issues unrelated to age verification (e.g. product inquiries, shipping times, etc.), please contact the website directly.
Looking for something else? Contact us.
How do I install AgeChecker.Net on my website?
Simply create an account on AgeChecker.Net if you haven't already. You will find platform-specific installation guides under the Install tab of your account dashboard, providing step-by-step instructions to install our plugin. Under the same tab, you can view our API documentation, with examples of its application, to develop your own integration. Or, submit an installation request for free, same-day installation by our team.
I don't see my e-commerce software listed!
We will work with you to create a custom integration for your store, as AgeChecker.Net can be installed on just about any website. Extensive client and server API documentation is also available if you are a developer who wants to integrate our software.
Do I need seperate accounts for multiple websites?
No, you can add and independently manage the settings of an unlimited number of websites on the same account. Keeping your websites on the same account may qualify your account for a volume discount - please contact us for details.
Can I customize the minimum age?
Yes. Set a universal minimum age or set requirements that vary by country, state, county, city, or zip code. In addition to minimum age settings, you can set a number of different rules. For instance, block specific locations or disable age verification for registered wholesale clients (they must be tagged within your ecommerce platform for AgeChecker.net to recognize and enforce your specifications).
Can you block a specific city or county?
Yes. You may block purchasing by location. Block orders from anywhere outside the U.S., specific countries, U.S. states, counties, cities, or even zip codes. Log into your AgeChecker.net account and under the Websites tab you can adjust settings. Under your default requirement for the U.S., add a state, and, once added, a city field will be enabled below it. You then have the ability to add a city, update the age setting for that city, or block it altogether. You can drill down to zip code as needed using the same feature. If you are using one of our profiles, you can layer custom rules over it using the same process. Any locations you do not specify will default to your U.S. requirement.
Can I disable age verification for certain buyers?
Wholesale buyers may be excluded from age verification if your ecommerce platform allows youto create a custom flag for them within its backend. We can walk you through the customer exclusion process if you use an ecommerce platform that supports this feature, or you can find instructions in the self-installation guides for applicable ecommerce platforms. Also, you can disable verification for non-restricted merchandise as needed using product tags. Submit a support ticket for assistance excluding customer or product groups.
Is a contract required?
No, you may cancel at any time. Upon deactivation, you will be charged the current month's balance.
How am I billed?
You will be charged 50 cents per accepted verification plus $25.00 on the first of each month. Volume discounts are available for eligible websites.
Am I charged for declined verifications?
No, you will not be charged if a customer is declined or leaves in the middle of the age verification process.
What if the customer's card is declined?
If a page reload is forced due to an error such as a declined credit card or invalid field, AgeChecker.Net gives customers a 20 minute period to verify their age again without charging you.
How do I update my billing information?
You can update your payment method within your account dashboard. Select "Update Card" under the billing tab. If you have any unpaid invoices, they will be paid once your card is linked successfully.
Do you have an age gate?
Yes, we have a free age gate that you can place on your homepage in addition to our full age verification service at checkout. Our age gate is available at no cost even if you don't have an active account with us. You can customize our age gate as needed.
Looking for something else? Contact us.
Verification FAQ
What is AgeChecker.Net?
AgeChecker.Net is an age verification technology used by online stores that sell age-restricted products such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol, etc. Age verification is required by many federal and state laws. Our job is to provide websites with legally accepted records showing that their sales have been age verified. We do so in a way that is as unobtrusive to you, the customer, as possible.
What information is required?
For most customers, we only require name, date of birth, and address. If we cannot verify your age automatically, we will prompt you to submit an image of your government-issued photo ID - the same one you would present in a retail store to buy the same product. Please note that our software is often able to retrieve your name and address automatically from your payment or shipping credentials. In this case, you will only have to input your date of birth manually.
How do I upload my photo ID?
To make it as easy as possible, we have three options for sending us a photo ID:
- Take a picture using your webcam directly from our popup.
- Upload an image saved on any device.
- Enter your mobile phone number and we'll text you a link to complete the process on your phone.
What kinds of photo IDs do you accept?
If you are prompted to submit a photo ID to complete the age verification process, we will accept a government-issued ID such as a driver's license, state identification card, military ID, or passport. Your name, date of birth, and the expiration date must be visible, and name on the ID must match the name on the rest of your order information. The date of birth you enter into our popup must also match the ID, even if both are above the minimum age. Accurate records will allow you to pass the ID prompt next time. Certain IDs, such as military IDs, require images of the front and back to show us the necessary information. If you are having trouble uploading two images in one submission through our popup, please email them as attachments to help@agechecker.net and we will manually verify your order. Since we delete ID submissions automatically, two separate submissions cannot be verified.
How is my information secured?
The information you provide is used solely to verify your age. We never share or sell data to third-parties. Your privacy and security are important to us. Access to all of our services is protected with strong 256-bit AES encryption. All personal information is stored on a private internal network that is not connected to the internet. We will securely store your date of birth, name, and address so that we can verify you without photo ID if you order again. Photo IDs are not automatically stored; they are deleted as soon as you are verified. In some instances you will be prompted for consent to store your Photo ID if the website is required to meet compliance requirements. For more information, see our privacy policy.
How long does it take to be verified?
We can verify about 90% of U.S. customers instantly using just their name, address, and date of birth. If you cannot be verified automatically using basic order information, you will be prompted to submit an image of your photo ID. This process is easy and occurs within our popup; you will not be redirected from the checkout page. Once you have submitted a photo ID, it usually takes 10 to 30 seconds to verify you, depending on the number of requests in our queue.
Can I cover sensitive information on my photo ID?
No. In order to ensure the validity of the information on a Photo ID we need to make sure that the ID is clearly visible.
Do I have to get verified every time I order?
If you've uploaded an ID once and use the same name, address, and date of birth for your next order, you won't be asked to submit an ID again. If one of those three things changes or is entered inaccurately, we won't recognize you, triggering the ID prompt. There are certain exceptions, however. Websites can customize our settings to require an ID for every customer, whether new or returning. Settings vary from website to website and are updated at the website's discretion.
What if I don't live in the U.S.?
Customers outside the U.S. are still required to submit their information for our records. We use IP geolocation to determine that you are outside the U.S. then refer to rules the website has chosen for international orders or your specific country: they may block purchases, require an ID for every international purchase (our team is equipped to verify foreign IDs), ask you to self-certify age, or disable age verification.
I thought I was of legal age to buy this product! Why is it saying I'm not?
We provide age verification services to a variety of business types. Most sell age-restricted merchandise such as alcohol or tobacco. Some may simply want to check your eligibility for a senior discount - our software is not one-size-fits-all. Every website chooses their own age requirements and our software enforces them. On December 20th, 2019 the federal legal age to purchase tobacco products, which include electronic cigarettes, was raised from 18 to 21 across the U.S. when the President signed legislation to amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The federal law supersedes state and local age requirements. Whether or not settings reflect current regulations is up to each website. For instance, many websites required all customers to be 21+ far before it became law, even if the state regulation was 18+. Some use our software to block purchasing entirely from states or cities. We uphold the settings websites choose and cannot override them. We understand that you may have a unique scenario and want to ask for an exception, but as a third party we simply uphold website requirements. Please contact the website directly if you have questions about their minimum age policies.
Who do I contact for support?
If you are experiencing any issues during the age verification process, please email our support team at help@agechecker.net. We are available around the clock. To resolve issues unrelated to age verification (e.g. product inquiries, shipping times, etc.), please contact the website directly.
Looking for something else? Contact us.
Merchant FAQ
How do I install AgeChecker.Net on my website?
Simply create an account on AgeChecker.Net if you haven't already. You will find platform-specific installation guides under the Install tab of your account dashboard, providing step-by-step instructions to install our plugin. Under the same tab, you can view our API documentation, with examples of its application, to develop your own integration. Or, submit an installation request for free, same-day installation by our team.
I don't see my e-commerce software listed!
We will work with you to create a custom integration for your store, as AgeChecker.Net can be installed on just about any website. Extensive client and server API documentation is also available if you are a developer who wants to integrate our software.
Do I need seperate accounts for multiple websites?
No, you can add and independently manage the settings of an unlimited number of websites on the same account. Keeping your websites on the same account may qualify your account for a volume discount - please contact us for details.
Can I customize the minimum age?
Yes. Set a universal minimum age or set requirements that vary by country, state, county, city, or zip code. In addition to minimum age settings, you can set a number of different rules. For instance, block specific locations or disable age verification for registered wholesale clients (they must be tagged within your ecommerce platform for AgeChecker.net to recognize and enforce your specifications).
Can you block a specific city or county?
Yes. You may block purchasing by location. Block orders from anywhere outside the U.S., specific countries, U.S. states, counties, cities, or even zip codes. Log into your AgeChecker.net account and under the Websites tab you can adjust settings. Under your default requirement for the U.S., add a state, and, once added, a city field will be enabled below it. You then have the ability to add a city, update the age setting for that city, or block it altogether. You can drill down to zip code as needed using the same feature. If you are using one of our profiles, you can layer custom rules over it using the same process. Any locations you do not specify will default to your U.S. requirement.
Can I disable age verification for certain buyers?
Wholesale buyers may be excluded from age verification if your ecommerce platform allows youto create a custom flag for them within its backend. We can walk you through the customer exclusion process if you use an ecommerce platform that supports this feature, or you can find instructions in the self-installation guides for applicable ecommerce platforms. Also, you can disable verification for non-restricted merchandise as needed using product tags. Submit a support ticket for assistance excluding customer or product groups.
Is a contract required?
No, you may cancel at any time. Upon deactivation, you will be charged the current month's balance.
How am I billed?
You will be charged 50 cents per accepted verification plus $25.00 on the first of each month. Volume discounts are available for eligible websites.
Am I charged for declined verifications?
No, you will not be charged if a customer is declined or leaves in the middle of the age verification process.
What if the customer's card is declined?
If a page reload is forced due to an error such as a declined credit card or invalid field, AgeChecker.Net gives customers a 20 minute period to verify their age again without charging you.
How do I update my billing information?
You can update your payment method within your account dashboard. Select "Update Card" under the billing tab. If you have any unpaid invoices, they will be paid once your card is linked successfully.
Do you have an age gate?
Yes, we have a free age gate that you can place on your homepage in addition to our full age verification service at checkout. Our age gate is available at no cost even if you don't have an active account with us. You can customize our age gate as needed.
Looking for something else? Contact us.
Looking for something else? Contact us.
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