How to Prove Your Age Without ID in the U.K.?

Most platforms require official documents like a driver’s license or passport. However, some may accept alternative verification methods like a credit card check or facial age estimation using third-party tools.

Does the U.K. Require Age Verification?

Yes, the U.K. requires age verification. Under the Online Safety Act, websites that host adult content or potentially harmful material must verify user age before granting access.

Will a VPN Get Around Age Verification?

A VPN can’t get around on-site age checks or payment verification by itself. However, a VPN can change the appearance of your virtual location, allowing you to access sites as if you’re outside the U.K., which can circumvent location-based age verification.

How to Get Around Age Verification: UK Online Safety Law Explained

This guide on how to get around age verification U.K. restrictions explains how using a VPN can help keep your access to online content private and unrestricted. We’ll also go into detail about the new age-verification laws and which websites are affected.

Written by Kate Hawkins (Editor, Writer)

Reviewed by Valentina Bravo (Managing Editor)

Facts checked by Igor Kurtz (Fact-checking editor)

Last Updated: 07 Sep'25

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Key Takeaways: How to Get Around U.K. Age Verification

Get a high-quality VPN and download it to your device.
Connect to a server outside the U.K. in a location without age verification laws.
Access your content without blocks or intrusive verification requirements.

Facts & Expert Analysis: The U.K. Age Verification Law

Heavy penalties for non-compliance: Platforms that don’t abide by the new age-verification regulations face significant fines or blocks in the U.K.
VPN use on the rise: Many U.K. users are subscribing to VPNs to bypass location-based blocks.
The Best U.K. VPNs: NordVPN is our top recommendation for bypassing the U.K.’s age-verification requirements. However, two top alternatives include Surfshark and ExpressVPN.

The Best VPN

Try NordVPN with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

The U.K.’s new age verification requirements mean many websites, including adult sites and online communities, must verify a visitor’s age before permitting access. This means you have to submit ID, payment information or even a selfie for a face scan, raising privacy concerns around how this information might be stored and used.

In this guide on how to get around age verification U.K. blocks, we’ll show you how using a reliable VPN (virtual private network) service can help. We’ll also highlight the best VPNs for this purpose and what exactly the new laws entail so you can best protect your data and online activity.

Meet the experts

Valentina Bravo (Managing Editor)

Valentina Bravo is a managing editor at Cloudwards with a rich background in technology topics, particularly productivity tools and online security. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and a triple Master’s degree in Literary and Cultural Studies. Her prior role as an academic writing instructor and over a decade of freelance editing across various fields, including academic publishing and tech education, have honed her skills in nurturing writers and producing strategically resonant content. Outside of work, she is a travel enthusiast, music lover and avid learner interested in global cultures, spirituality, psychology and neuroscience.

More about Valentina Bravo

Learn more about our editorial team and our research process.

What Is UK Age Verification?

U.K. age verification is a legal requirement for certain websites — particularly those hosting adult content — to confirm that visitors are over 18 before they can enter the site. This process often involves providing government ID or credit card details, or using third-party verification services. The goal is to prevent minors from viewing explicit or harmful content.

What Types of Sites Are Affected?

The U.K.’s age verification laws apply to a wide range of online services that could expose minors to harmful or explicit content. This includes platforms that host adult content, as well as interactive or user-generated content sites.

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Examples include:

Adult content sites: Including Pornhub, SpankBang, XVideos and similar platforms.
Social media platforms: Including X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, Discord and Bluesky.
Dating apps and sites: Including Tinder, Grindr, Bumble and Hinge.
Online forums: Communities discussing explicit or sensitive topics.
Video-sharing platforms: Particularly those that allow user posting or streaming of potentially harmful content.
Online gaming and instant messaging services: Platforms that allow user-generated content or interactions.

How Do Sites Conduct Age Checks?

Websites use several methods to verify a user’s age before allowing access to restricted content. Common methods include credit card checks, where you must enter valid payment details linked to an adult account, and government-issued ID verification, which involves uploading an image of your passport, driver’s licence or similar ID.

uk age laws age checks — Sites use methods like requesting photo ID, AI facial age estimation or credit card details.

Some platforms use third-party verification services that cross-check information without storing personal data. Alternatively, they may use facial age estimation, which involves an AI face scan of an uploaded selfie to gauge how old you are.

How to Get Around the UK Age-Verification Law With a VPN

In this guide, we’ll use NordVPN to show you how to access content while protecting your personal data and keeping your online activity secure. The steps are roughly the same for other popular VPNs.

Choose a Reputable VPN
Subscribe to a plan with a trustworthy VPN that has servers in privacy-friendly countries.
Download and Install the VPN
Download the VPN app for your device from the provider’s website or app store and complete the installation process.
Connect to a Server Outside the U.K.
Open the VPN app and choose a server in a location where the site you want to visit is unrestricted. Nearby servers will provide better speeds and more stable connections.
Access the Website
Once you’re connected to the server, visit the website of your choice. It should load without requesting that you verify your age.

Why You Need a VPN to Bypass Age Verification in the UK

A VPN helps users bypass U.K. age verification by masking your true location and making it appear as though you’re using the internet from another country. This can let you access adult content on sites that restrict access for U.K. visitors by requiring users to verify their age through official ID.

While it doesn’t remove site-level age checks, a VPN can help prevent sites from blocking you based solely on your location.

The Best VPNs for Bypassing UK Age Verification

To avoid age verification blocks in the U.K., you need a reliable VPN with strong privacy features and a selection of servers in countries without age restrictions. Here are three of the best VPN services for accessing restricted content and keeping your data secure.

1. NordVPN: One of the most secure VPNs available, with fast speeds and a strict zero-logs policy that ensures your online activity is never stored or shared. Find out more in our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark: A budget-friendly VPN with premium features, including unlimited device connections and strong encryption. Learn more about its privacy tools in our Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN: Highly effective at unblocking sites, including adult content and streaming platforms, with fast speeds and reliable connections. Read our ExpressVPN review to discover more.

Are VPNs Legal in the UK?

Yes, VPNs are legal in the U.K., and there are currently no laws that prohibit their use. However, using a VPN to bypass these restrictions may violate a website’s terms of service, which could result in bans for premium subscribers. Future regulations may also increase pressure on VPN providers to limit access to certain sites.

The UK Online Safety Act: Why Are These Changes Happening?

The U.K. Online Safety Act is a law aimed at making the internet safer, especially for children. It places a legal obligation on online platforms to monitor and restrict harmful content, including pornography and material unsuitable for minors. As part of this, sites that host adult content must verify user age before allowing access.

The law’s primary goal is to protect children from harm online by reducing the chances they’ll be exposed to content like explicit material, grooming and cyberbullying. The act focuses heavily on user safety, especially for younger users, but it’s sparked debate over personal privacy and online censorship.

How Have Popular Websites Adapted to the Changes?

Several popular websites have already adjusted their policies in response to the Online Safety Act. Sites like Pornhub and SpankBang require government-issued ID verification for U.K. users, blocking access completely without it. Discord has also updated its policies, requiring age checks and increased moderation.

What Are the Consequences for Websites That Don't Comply?

Websites that fail to comply with the act face severe penalties, including fines of up to £18 million (about $24 million) or 10% of global revenue, whichever is higher. The U.K.’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has the authority to block non-compliant sites and take legal action against companies that don’t meet the requirements.

Online Freedom & Privacy vs Safety: The Great Debate

The Online Safety Act has created a sharp divide between safety advocates and digital rights groups. Critics argue that mandatory ID checks are a threat to user privacy and create vulnerabilities, risking data misuse and surveillance. Groups like Big Brother Watch have called the law a “censor’s charter.”

Public backlash has been significant, with a petition to repeal the law gathering more than 520,000 signatures. Meanwhile, VPN use in the U.K. has surged as residents seek to avoid intrusive verification. Overall, there’s widespread concern in the U.K. regarding the impact of the act on digital rights.

Final Thoughts

New laws in the U.K. have changed how residents access certain online sites and platforms. With a VPN like NordVPN, you can continue enjoying your chosen content without barriers or risk to your personal data.

Do you think the new laws strike the right balance between safety and privacy? Will you try using a VPN to avoid these restrictions? Which VPN features do you look for when trying to avoid region-based blocks? Let us know in the comments, and thank you for reading.

FAQ: UK Age Restriction Rules

Most platforms require official documents like a driver’s license or passport. However, some may accept alternative verification methods like a credit card check or facial age estimation using third-party tools.
Yes, the U.K. requires age verification. Under the Online Safety Act, websites that host adult content or potentially harmful material must verify user age before granting access.
A VPN can’t get around on-site age checks or payment verification by itself. However, a VPN can change the appearance of your virtual location, allowing you to access sites as if you’re outside the U.K., which can circumvent location-based age verification.