Birth certificate?

[sher92]

We are leaving next week with our two kiddos, DD2.5 and DS 4mths. Do I need to take the original birth certificates or will a copy work? We are flying SW

 

[happymommy]

As someone who has flown with my kids at least 3 times a year since they were a couple months old, trust me. You do not need any ID for minors. Have a safe trip!

 

[msmama]

I've always needed ID, even for a minor.

The airline might not check it but they'll check it going through security. I *think* a copy will work but I'd call the airline to make sure.

 

[kim929]

I have flown SW a few times with my children and once with my daughters friend, I was never asked to show any type of documents for the children, even going thru security. My husband and I had to show our id's but that was it. They looked at the bording passes, asked each kid who they were and waived us thru.

 

[happymommy]

I've always needed ID, even for a minor.

The airline might not check it but they'll check it going through security. I *think* a copy will work but I'd call the airline to make sure.

That is funny - they do not require any ID for a minor even going through security. Many years, I've flown with my kids 4 or 5 times in the year, so 10 flights. The only time I've needed ID was going overseas, so we have passports for that. I do not bring our passports when we travel domestically, though, as it is not needed. My son went on 12 flights before he was one, never brought any birth certificate with me. So don't worry, you do not need any ID.

 

[Perditamarie]

You will need a birth certificate for a lap baby..double check w/SW, but I think you need a copy w/raised seal or original w/seal. Definately make sure you have exactly what they need or you may not be able to board.

 

[alyssa810]

Our son is flying on his first own ticket next month, and for his previous flights we always had a copy of his birth certificate.
ETA- we've always had a copy, not the original, and DS has only flown on SW.

 

[AKADrea]

I've always taken ours, but have never been asked to show them - (6 flights)

 

[henry72]

We flew with DS (19 months at the time) and took his birth certificate but never had to show it to anyone. We flew SW and he had his own seat. I hadn't planned on taking his or DD's this trip.

 

[disneymomjcs]

There is a show on tv called airlines and SW has been on there. If the child is big for his or her age they might question if the child is under two and the birth certificate is required as proof or you'll need to pay for a seat. They may not ask but you don't want to have to buy a ticket at the door. If you purchased a seat then you won't need a birthcertificate or Id unless traveling our of the country.

 

[pilotwife_02]

We always bring the boys' passports with us "just in case" but have never been asked to show them. Of course the boys always have their own seats also (even when they were infants) so that's probably why.

 

[santa's surpriz]

You will need the original for the Birthday park admission, but should not need it to board your plane if they are a minor. The only case is if you taking them as a lap rider and they look bigger than SW age requirements. You can take it to be safe or check on the SW website, I am sure you will find answers to your qestion there.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

Nope, even when ours were under 2 and lap children, they never asked for our birth certificates but I took them along just in case. If you are paying for seats, I wouldn't bother at all. I'd only think you'd need them if you were flying overseas or going on a cruise.

 

[bumbershoot]

If the baby is a lap baby, you are supposed to have valid ID, and a regular copy of the bc is not valid ID. So if the 4 month old is a lap baby, bring the certified birth cert.

For other minors, no ID is needed (but we tend to carry it with us anyway, as hubby and DS don't look much alike to strangers, and just in case we get separated in the airport, it feels better to have it with us).

 

[waltskids]

Just flew SW in August. Needed a copy of DD's birth certificate since she was flying as a lap baby (and she was only 9 weeks old, so definitely not close to 2, lol!). DS 2 obviously had a seat and we have never been asked for ID for a child who has their own seat, even through security. SW typed our DD's name into the computer and gave us a boarding verification document with her name on it. We always carry copies of both kids' bc's but never carry the original.

 

[tjmw2727]

Ticketed passeners under 18 don't need any form of ID to clear security. This is a TSA rule and not airline specific. I fly 6 or more times a year with my kids -have for many years and they have never, ever been asked for ID.

From the TSA website:
Effective June 21, 2008, adult passengers (18 and over) are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains the following: name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/acceptable_documents.shtm

If your child is not ticketed (lap riding) or you purchased a special fare, childrens fare or over 65 fare, you may be required to prove eligibiltiy. Some arilines ask for a BC for a lap child if they look close to the 2year cut off. Others like SWA require all lap children to have a BC before issuing a boarding document.

So OP, you won't need ID for the 2yo but if the 4mo old is flying on a parents lap you will need a birth certificate. I would bring the original but if you have questions the best place to check is with the airline via website or telephone call.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Haven't needed it and DD is 13. This past trip at Security in Orlando, I handed my license and my mom's passport to the agent. I said "This is my license, I'm Donna and my mom Carol's passport." The agent looked at my daughter and said 'Who are you?" Her response "I'm her daughter". We all laughed and I said "No, I think she'd like to know you're name." My daughter was so embarassed.

I always bring DD's birth certificate, just in case, but I haven't needed it in 5 trips.

 

[happymommy]

I hadn't realized you may be asking since the 4 month old could be on your lap! Although SW may ask for one, a 4 month old is very obviously under 2 years, so you will not need one.

At WDW, the 2.5 year old also will not need one. They take your word for it that your child is under 3, and doesn't need a ticket.

So you don't need anything in your case.

 

[Manda]

I hadn't realized you may be asking since the 4 month old could be on your lap! Although SW may ask for one, a 4 month old is very obviously under 2 years, so you will not need one.

At WDW, the 2.5 year old also will not need one. They take your word for it that your child is under 3, and doesn't need a ticket.

So you don't need anything in your case.

If the child is under 2 - regardless of what age the child appears to be - SW policy is to require proof of age. I flew once with my infant as a lap child. It was an emergency last minute flight when my Grandfather died. Since I'd never flown with a lap child, it never even occurred to me that I'd need to prove he was under 2. On my outbound flight, no one said a word. Then I tried to come home and they wanted ID and it was a big HUGE deal, suddenly, that I didn't have proof of age for him (and since I was already away from home, I had no way to acquire ID or get home). They threatened not to let him board and then got out some official sign-your-life-away affidavit that I had to sign promising that he wasn't over two. And then they threatened me with $10,000 fines for a little bit. And then let me on the plane.

So... if you're flying with a lap baby, I'd bring an ID to save yourself the drama. Otherwise, no ID necessary.

Although, the reason that I posted this is mostly to let people know that if some reason they end up with a lap baby and no ID and angry ticket counter staff - you can still get on the plane, but it's a hassle and you may have to work for it.

In related airline craziness, my friend traveled with her ticketed toddler and the airline (not SWA) decided to bump the toddler, but not the rest of the family. After trying to prove to the airline that they had bumped a passenger that isn't capable of traveling alone (they offered to reschedule the child, but not the rest of the family), she told them she'd just forfeit the ticket and bring her as a lap baby. And then they demanded proof that she was under 2.

 

[ccgirl]

I flew with my DS when he was 10 mths. I left the birth certificate at home by accident and they almost didn't let me fly. He was flying as a lap baby. According the the person checking us in, the birth certificate is not just to prove their age but also to prove their custody. They want to make sure the baby with you is indeed your child and you are not trying to kidnap. I have also flown with my DD on my lap and was not asked for a birth certificate. I would bring one just to be safe and "technically" it is supposed to be a certified copy - meaning the raised seal.