Do Airlines Need to See Child's ID/Birth Certificate?

[April76]

Another thread here started me thinking about this...

When we take our 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter to WDW, will the airline want to see a birth certificate or ID? Her last name is different from ours.... anyone have any experience.... I know I can just bring a copy of the birth certificate and a letter from her mom.... will I need to do this?? We are flying SWA.

[deeshie]

We have never been asked for ID for our DS, but it wouldn't hurt to have birth certificate and letter.

However, I am responding to suggest that you have a letter from your granddaughters parents authorizing you to seek medical attention for your granddaughter. My parents and sister have one at all times just in case.

[skeezixspud]

Which of course you did, as she's over 2. (That is why they ask, of course.) I agree with the other poster though, you do need authorization for medical treatment.

[April76]

Thanks for the responses.... and we have already talked about bringing a letter allowing medical treatment and we are bringing her insurance cards.

[jel0511]

Granted this wasn't on southwest, but when I checked on for my most recent flight on Us Air, I was asked to produce both of my children's birth certificates. They are 4months and 3years old, and I had bought seats for both of them, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Also, regarding the fact that your granddaughter had a different last name as you, I'd bring a notarized letter giving you permission to travel with her, as well as, a letter authorizing anything for medical purposes. With all the custody issues going on, the airlines are getting very particular when small children are traveling with someone who doesn't have the same last name as them. My sister has had this happen to her on occasion, since her daughter has a different last name than hers, usually the birth certificate is enough (once they almost denied her boarding), but since you're the grandmother, that wouldn't work. She always travels with a notorized note from the father of her child saying it's o.k. for her to leave the state with her.

[ceecee]

What I always found strange was when we adopted our daughter and brought her home at 6 days old....Delta did not ask for any kind of proof (although we had it) they did stamp our ticket with infant, but didn't ask for any kind of proof. We flew in as a couple and flew out as a family....we kept asking are you sure you don't need any proof?

[Disneymomma]

I brought the birth certificate just in case, but I was never asked for it.
This was on US Airways.

[Beverly Lynn]

FAA and federal requirements do not mandate a BC for kids. if you are traveling domnestically you are ok. if you are going int'l then yes you need a notorized letter if its only one parent and the child traveling and then you have a passport and that takes care of that.

[MikeP]

I would suggest you get the release for you to authorize medical treatment notarized. It may or may not be necassary in an emergency, but your bank will notarize it for free so it is worth it just to be sure. Without a notarization the release could have been signed by you on your way to the hospital.

[Beverly Lynn]

the notorized letter I was referring to is that the other parent knows that you are taking the child out of the country both parents must sign it and have it notorized. too many custody battles.......