birth certificates for kids boarding planes??

[BWVDenise]

My SIL just told me that her SIL needed a birth certificate for her 4 yr old on a recent flight! Has anyone else encountered this?? What would a birth certificate prove, anyway:rolleyes:? I would be afraid of losing or misplacing them.

[Pluto4President]

SWA informed us we needed a birth certificate or a copy of the ss card. I brought both, they looked at both.

[bootc3]

We flew Delta on Sept 15th and the 29th with a 4yr old and we did not have to show anything for our daughter. Is this only SWA?

[Pluto4President]

not sure - needed it 9/27 in ISP and 10/01 in MCO

[cheeringmom]

of the birth certificate to prove my one year old is actually under 2 (after 2yrs she pays!). but I can't imagine why they would need a 4 yr olds birth certificate.

[Esmerelda]

We just got back from Disney on 10/2. We flew Delta and at the Indy airport leaving and at the Orlando airport returning home, I was asked both times for birth certificates. My boys are 6 and 10.

I had called Delta a head of time and they told me to be sure to bring them.

[dcedwards]

I carry a copy in my wallet, now, when I travel. I've only been asked for it once but I was sure glad I had it when they asked for it. I think it will become more common in the future. A copy is fine, though. We keep the original at home.

[aprincessmom]

Even before 9/11. Unless your child has a passport, there are very few other standard identification options besides the birth certificate or a social security card. I have also been asked to show my license at check in at SWA, Northwest, Continental and USAir prior to 9/11. I would imagine they are just being more diligent about it now then they were in the past.

[BWVDenise]

aprincesmom,
That's funny-- I've never been asked for ID for my kids on USAir. Only driver's licences for myself and dh. I would never have even thought to bring anything for my young children...

[addicted_to_WDW]

I made my ressies on Delta 2 weeks ago. When I pointed out that DS is 7, she said that they do not require ID for minors.

I've flown Delta many times, and USAir a few and have never been asked for his identification.

I guess I'll carry a copy of his birth certificate just in case.

[ducklite]

Our township issues photo ID's to the kids who want to take part in Rec programs. You bring the photo (shool photo is the right size), and they make the ID, it costs under $5. You might want to check to see if that option is avaiable for you.

Anne

[kinlaw6450]

US Air is requiring Birth Certificates and suggesting photo ID's for our flight in December.

[Kate-n-sam]

FYI, Delta's website clearly states that no ID is required to board for those under 18.

[yoopermom]

You might want to check with your secretary of state/department of motor vehicles, most offer some type of i.d. for "nondrivers", all you have to do is bring in child and b.c. to get "official" photo state i.d. I'm going to do it with DS before our Dec. trip, just for peace of mind. This was discussed on a thread quite some time ago, and their was a link to a site that had all the different ss/dmvs listed, but I can't find it now, sorry.
Terri the Yoopermom

[Rock'n Robin]

I called last night to check on my Delta ressies (that's another story) and at the end of the call asked about this--she said just to be safe to have copies of my kids' birth certificates. I am going to copy the ones I have (so the copies won't have the state seal, but I don't want to lose those). Better to have it and not be asked than be stuck not going on vacation because I left them home.
Robin M.

[0506]

I called the Philadelphia airport to see what they required and they yes a birth cert. is required for all children. For adults they told me to bring a picture id and 2 other forms ex:
birth cert., voter card, car reg., employee id

[lindaso]

When I made my new reservation on AA 2 days ago, the agent said I did not need ID for the kids who are 4 and 22 months. I am planning on calling again right before and copying their SS cards to bring with us just in case.

[kimmar067]

I just finished reading this thread and I realize, that, for every post,
there is a completely different agenda, depending upon airline and
airport. Why the vast discrepancy? Who is setting the regulations-
the airport, the airline, the employee? Our DFamily is leaving on
11/7 and I will be sure to carry some form of ID for my 3 DS's. I will
probably use their school photo ID.

[2minnies]

Best to err on the side of caution and carrying id's for everyone. Our family flew NW on Saturday. Not one piece of our checked or carryon luggage was looked through. The only id's checked were myself and DH (and only at check in counter). Upon return on Tuesday, all id's were checked at check in and at gate (including DDs 7 and 4). Some checked luggage was being checked at counter....but not all. Tickets were checked everytime we walked thru security. People were being stopped randomly after passing thru security for a 2nd check. I know they made rule changes again on Sunday, but I wish they'd check ALL luggage, not just some!

[dcedwards]

On the news last night and this morning the airline attendants were raising numerous questions about the fact that checked luggage is not actually checked. Plus, I did not know that you could check a bag on a flight and not actually fly on that flight. I know it happens with missed flights, etc. but to do that "on purpose" seems a little strange. So, I'm sure there will be many security changes, still to come, at the airports.

I think what is done depends on the airport as well as the airline. Airlines are still in charge of the security checkpoints so it will vary from airline to airline. I just know that I bring a birth certificate and social security card (copy of both) and now I' m hearing that I should bring two forms of ID for myself. So this should get interesting.

[dandelion]

FWIW -

I will be flying SWA tomorrow, with my two children, 2 and almost 5. They told me I need to have a birth certificate or a report card (huh? what does THAT prove?) for each of them.

I called back to make sure a copy of the birth certificate was ok, and it is. And my kindergartener will be proud to wear her school id tag. :)

[Bob913]

We're leaving for WDW next Friday. Even though it says
no ID is required for kids under 18 on Delta's web site
and even though they said ID was not required when
we called to double check our flight a couple of days ago,
we decided to play it safe and got a copy of a Birth
Certificate.

We figured why chance it. The way things are going, they
could change the rules when we're down there and we'd
be out of luck.

[Coll0610]

We flew on 10/7 and 10/14. Airtran did not require ID for 6 year old DS. Bloomington IL airport did not require it. Orlando airport did require it to get through security, but said that if I didn't have it, they would have just searched all of us. A photocopy of the birth certificate was fine.

Based on the different requirements that airlines and airports seem to have, it sounds like it would be a good idea for parents to carry some form of ID for all children. I wonder if school IDs would be sufficient. They usually want a government issued ID for adults, so they won't accept my security badge from work which is pretty similar to a school ID.

[Esmerelda]

We just returned from Orlando 10/2 via Delta. Both coming and going, I had to produce my two son's birth certificates and she matched them against the computer.

I was told by Delta before we left to be sure and have them and they were asked for.


have a great trip!

[Planogirl]

Does anyone have a clue as to why any of the airlines want to see ID or birth certificates for kids? :confused: What exactly is the point of this?

I've never had to show one with Continental or Delta for DS but I guess that we'd better take one along just to be sure.

[Granny]

Planogirl....

Other than checking to make sure a child is young enough to be eligible for free passage, I don't get this either.

I guess next the restaurants will want to see the bc to make sure the kids are young enough for the kids' menu pricing!! :rolleyes:

As was posted above, I just wish they'd get together and be consistent. I guess I'll just add my DDs' bc's to my 15 page "how to travel light" packing list. :smooth:

[ducklite]

I think it's a double check of a lot of things. First of all, to make sure that you are who you are claiming to be. Also, to make sure you are the kids parents and have the right to transport them over the state lines.

I would suggest just getting a passport for everyone in your family, that way you dont have to worry about losing birth certificates, and don't need to worry yourselves over it.

Anne

[karylrocks]

It seems that there have always been discrepancies between airlines and airports as to how they do things, so it doesn't surprise me that there still are now. They are still trying to figure out how they should handle things differently now, and seem to change the rules every day. I definitely plan to take some ID for my son, 9, when we go in December. Even if they don't require it when we leave, who knows what could happen between then and when we come back ten days later. :(

[Bugaboo]

I confirmed a flight on SWA today and they told me to bring one of the following for my kids; a birth certificate; immunization record or their social security card. Hope this helps.