Birth certificate or ID needed for infant?

[goofy4wdw2]

We're flying w/ DD (8 months old) tomorrow. Do we need her birth certtificate or anything else for ID purposes? Thanks!

 

[PCFriar80]

I'll keep it short and simple....No.

 

[mdhkitten]

When I flew Southwest with my daughter last year she wasn't quite a year old and definitely didn't look anywhere close to two (since they let your child fly free as a lap child under two), the counter person asked to see her birth certificate. I guess it just depends on what airline you're flying. Southwest seem to be pretty tough about that stuff unless you're flying with a baby that's only a few months old. In fact, I think that they asked for it when she was 4 months old as well. Just call the airline to be sure!

 

[ctnurse]

Both times when we flew with ds under 2 yrs old they needed his bc. Not sure because we were flying out of the country or they wanted to check his age. My thought is better safe than sorry. DS now has a passport.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'll keep it short and simple....No.

Too short, and too simplistic. The real answer is: it depends.

If the child will be flying as a free lap child on a US domestic flight, the answer is usually yes, not for identification, but for proof that the child is indeed under age 2 and eligible to fly free. A photocopy of the birth certificate will normally suffice for this purpose, as long as the adults he is flying with are his parents, so that the names match. If you are flying with a grandchild, etc., it is better to bring the real birth certificate, as it might be questioned whether or not you just copied one at random.

If the child will be flying on a US domestic flight in a paid-for seat, no identification is necessary.

If the child will be flying into the US on an international flight, he/she needs a valid passport.

 

[texasthree]

At 8 months your probably fine taking her with nothing but I would bring the birth cert. just in case. My good friends baby was 17 mths and very large for his age, she didnt have a birth cert. with her and southwest was giving her a hard time. They ended up calling a me at 6am to verify his age and birthdate. Wierd but she was able to get on the plane.

 

[Fionasmommy]

We've never been asked, but I've always brought her birth certificate just in case. Even if you don't need it at the airport, you just never know what may happen on vacation!

 

[PCFriar80]

Too short, and too simplistic. The real answer is: it depends.

If the child will be flying as a free lap child on a US domestic flight, the answer is usually yes, not for identification, but for proof that the child is indeed under age 2 and eligible to fly free. A photocopy of the birth certificate will normally suffice for this purpose, as long as the adults he is flying with are his parents, so that the names match. If you are flying with a grandchild, etc., it is better to bring the real birth certificate, as it might be questioned whether or not you just copied one at random.

If the child will be flying on a US domestic flight in a paid-for seat, no identification is necessary.

If the child will be flying into the US on an international flight, he/she needs a valid passport.

See! I knew this simple question could take on a life of it's own!
8 months is hardly 2 years old. I think most people can tell the diffference.
Last time I checked, Pennsylvania to WDW was a domestic flight.
I stand by my short and simple answer based on the information provided and
not the information "not provided".

 

[Anniegirl]

Check with your airline. Southwest requires proof of age via a birth certificate for any lap passengers. I don't know about the others but it is better to be safe than sorry. Enjoy your trip. We brought a nine month old with us last summer and we all had such a blast that we brought him back again when he turned one.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I agree with the previous poster. SWA asks for a bc for all lap children whether they are 1mo or 23mos. I'm sure the same would apply if you booked a discounted infant fare.

 

[Lewisc]

See! I knew this simple question could take on a life of it's own!
8 months is hardly 2 years old. I think most people can tell the diffference.
Last time I checked, Pennsylvania to WDW was a domestic flight.
I stand by my short and simple answer based on the information provided and
not the information "not provided".

Actually the previous posters were being kind to you,your answer is extremely misleading, to the point of being wrong. Some airlines require proof of age for all lap babies.

Technically your answer is correct in that the birth certificate isn't needed for ID purposes but is needed to prove the infant is entitled to travel as a lap baby. Most of us would consider it extremely rude to craft an answer to be technically correct but doesn't answer the question that was intended, does the poster need a copy of the birth certificate for their infant. I don't think it's a reach to assume an 8 month old infant might be a lap baby or be flying with an infant fare and at least SW wants to see a birth certificate for all lap babies. Makes a lot of sense, it avoids having to argue with parents.

For the OP nothing is needed if you purchased an adult seat for your infant. but a copy of the birth certificate might be needed if your infant is a lap baby or is flying with an infant fare.

 

[NotUrsula]

Last time I checked, Pennsylvania to WDW was a domestic flight.

I'm well aware of that, but I'm also well aware that the OP isn't the only person reading these replies. Anytime you attempt to answer a question like this you have to take into account that not everyone who reads the reply (and perhaps depends upon it to be accurate) will be in the same circumstances as the OP.

 

[Hannathy]

SWA requires a BC for any age lap baby. They asked for one for my 6 week old son! now no one can think a 6 wk old infant could be over 2 yrs old but they asked for one. It is much easier to just copy it and put it in your purse than have to haggle at the counter with employees just doing their job.