Licensing and permits

Paying online or by phone

On Thursday 25th September we are carrying out essential maintenance to our payment system between 9am and 3pm. Do not pay online or by phone, or submit applications that require payment during these hours. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Apply for a personal licence

A personal licence authorises a person to supply alcohol or allow the supply of alcohol at a premises which has a valid premises licence. This includes pubs, off licences, restaurants and hotels.

A personal licence is valid until it is surrendered, suspended or forfeited – even if it has an expiry date on it. You don’t need to renew the licence.

The cost of a personal licence is £37.

Who can apply?

We can only grant a licence to applicants who are over 18 and live within the Liverpool local authority boundary area. If you work here but live in another local authority area, you’ll need to apply to the licensing authority where you live.

You must have the right to work in the UK and are not subject to a condition preventing you from doing work relating to the licensable activity - this is applicable to all applicants, including those born in the UK. If you do not submit your proof document or share code, we cannot process your application. Guidance on the acceptable forms of proof is provided below.

Before you apply

Please download and read the guidance notes before you apply. They explain the application process and the supporting documentation you'll need to submit a valid application.

Apply and pay online   

You will need to upload the following documents with your application. These can be scanned attachments or photographs but must be clear and readable:

  • Proof of right to work in the UK document or share code.
  • Your licensing qualification.
  • Your Disclosure and Barring Service form, dated within 31 days of your application submission, or a share code so we can access it online.
  • A passport style photograph of you. The back must be endorsed as a true likeness. You must attach both the image and the endorsement.

As part of the application process, you will also need to disclose any convictions and civil immigration penalties (DCCIPD).

Apply and pay online for a personal licence

Read our privacy notice which tells you how we use your data.

Application approval

If the chief officer of police for the area where the premises is situated believes that granting the application would undermine the crime prevention objective, they must inform us within 14 days. We will then hold a hearing to determine the notice given by the police.

If we don’t receive a notice, your application is automatically approved. We will send your personal licence documentation by recorded delivery as soon as it is processed.

Change of name or address, or if your licence is lost or stolen

You must tell us of any changes in writing and pay £10.50 for a replacement licence. You can request a change to your personal licence online.

If you've been found guilty of a criminal offence

It is your responsibility to inform the Licensing Authority if you have been found guilty of a criminal offence. Email us at: PublicProtection.Support@liverpool.gov.uk or call 233 3015 and inform us of the details and we will advise you accordingly.