Using or falsifying vaccine records is a federal offense, with each offense carrying the potential for prison time, according to NBC affiliate WUSA 9.
- Using or selling a fake COVID-19 vaccine card is illegal. The FBI said in March that falsifying a federal seal is a federal crime. Vaccine cards have two federal seals: one from the CDC and one from HHS. Forging either of these is a violation that could carry a fine and up to five years in prison.
- Using a fake vaccine card is less likely to lead to jail time and more likely to lead to probation, according to the report. Those who sell thousands of fake vaccine cards are more likely to get the maximum sentence, the report said.
- Depending on the state, using a fake vaccine card can break state laws too. New York made falsifying vaccine records a class E felony. In Washington D.C., making fake vaccine cards violates its forgery law. In both states, the offenses could lead to time in prison.