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Possession of false identity documents etc with improper intention

s.4, Identity Documents Act 2010 · Indictable only

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Sentencing framework

The guideline for this offence categorizes culpability and harm to determine sentencing. Culpability ranges from 'A' for serious offenders to 'C' for lesser offenses, while harm is categorized into four groups based on the intended use of the documents. Sentences range from community orders to a maximum of ten years in prison, with specific starting points depending on the category.

Maximum sentence

10 years’ imprisonment

Court

Indictable only

Starting point

7 years’ custody for Category 1, 3 years’ custody for Category 2, 1 year 6 months’ custody for Category 3, 1 year’s custody for Category 4

Offence range

High level community order - 8 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Offence committed while on bail
  • ·Offending conducted over a sustained period
  • ·Involvement of others through pressure, influence
  • ·Offender not lawfully present in the UK
  • ·Abuse of position of trust

Mitigating factors

  • ·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
  • ·Good character and/or exemplary conduct
  • ·Remorse
  • ·Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity
  • ·Mental disorder or learning disability
  • ·Physical disability or serious medical conditions requiring urgent or long-term treatment
  • ·Offender cooperated with investigation, made early admissions

Sentencing range explorer

Select the culpability level and harm category to see the guideline's starting point and category range. This is an educational illustration of the published guideline — not a sentence calculation, and not legal advice. Courts apply the full step-by-step process, aggravating and mitigating factors, and the totality principle.

Culpability

Harm

Select a culpability level and a harm category above.

The sentencing process, step by step

  1. Step 1 — determining the offence category
  2. Step 2 — starting point and category range
  3. Step 3 — Consider any factors which indicate a reduction for assistance to the prosecution
  4. Step 4 — Reduction for guilty pleas
  5. Step 5 — Totality principle
  6. Step 6 — Ancillary orders
  7. Step 7 — Reasons
  8. Step 8 — Consideration for time spent on bail (tagged curfew)

Always read the full guideline

This is a one-page summary. For any live case, sentencing exercise, or legal advice the authoritative source is the Sentencing Council's own definitive guideline — including the category bands, step-by-step sentencing approach, and all statutory factors not captured here.

Open the full guideline on sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Source: Sentencing Council · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-28. Not legal advice — see a regulated adviser for any live case.