Arilines: What kind identification required for kids?

[ginnymack]

I saw on the TSA website that travelers over 18 must present x, y, or z docs. It goes onto say if you cannot present x,y or z doc you can present l,m,n,o, or p docs. But it is not explicit for children, and the way it is written I cannot tell if children are excluded or fall under the "cannot present Driver's License" category. Last time I flew I brought certified copies of their birth certificates. When I handed them to the TSA agent, one looked through, one did not. One agent even quized us on the data on the id (Not sure if he was extra cautious, bored or if we looked like trouble )I would rather not travel with those docs for security reasons if I don't have to. Can someone tell me what you did if anything?

 

[twinsplusone]

We've never taken anything for our kids. Ages 9, 7 & 7.

 

[ancestry]

Children under the age of 18 do not need any type of identification.

 

[Tara]

I saw on the TSA website that travelers over 18 must present x, y, or z docs. It goes onto say if you cannot present x,y or z doc you can present l,m,n,o, or p docs. But it is not explicit for children, and the way it is written I cannot tell if children are excluded or fall under the "cannot present Driver's License" category. Last time I flew I brought certified copies of their birth certificates. When I handed them to the TSA agent, one looked through, one did not. One agent even quized us on the data on the id (Not sure if he was extra cautious, bored or if we looked like trouble )I would rather not travel with those docs for security reasons if I don't have to. Can someone tell me what you did if anything?

The only ID issue you might possibly run into with a child is if the child is under 2 and traveling as a lap infant - some airlines require you to verify the child is under 2. I've never once been asked for ID for my son for domestic travel, and he's flown an awful lot in his 8 short years. (of course he's needed his passport for international travel)

 

[Hannathy]

None! Children don't need ID. You only need the BC for under 2 if you are flying them free as a lap child and then that is to verify they are under 2 not ID.

 

[Jestocost]

The only ID issue you might possibly run into with a child is if the child is under 2 and traveling as a lap infant - some airlines require you to verify the child is under 2.

It's actually an FAA requirement and is supposed to happen all of the time, but some airlines are more diligent about compliance than others.

 

[LeslieG]

Just a side note, sometimes the TSA security person will ask my kids what their names are and check to see if those are the names on the boarding passes.

 

[ginnymack]

ahh...last flight I did have a lap rider, which explains why I had the documents! Thanks for the clarification...the former lap flyer has completely fried my brain today!

 

[NJRRK]

DS15 looks 18+ so we usually get hassled so I bring a copy of his Birth Certificate and his school Id (his freinds say he looks like a child molester in the picture). Only in EWR have they ever questioned his age or his need for ID.

 

[Tinkerbell53]

My DS always looked older and we started bringing his BC and school ID because they sometimes gave him a hard time thinking he was 18. This time he will have his driver's license though. For young kids I don't believe you will need anything.