Birth certificate?

[denisegold]

Between my 3 kids, there have been dozens of flights- and never a request for a BC. But the amount of space it will take up,why not just pack it? (i'd bring a cert. copy, if available)

 

[tjmw2727]

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.

The airlines or TSA don't care who is flying with whom or why. I fly with my kids, my neices and nephew all the time as the solo adult. None of the kids has ever been asked for ID despite having a different last name and some a different ethnic background.

The only reason an airline requires a birth certificate for a child is to prove they are eligible for the discounted (free) fare. The TSA doesn't require ID at all for passengers under 18.

cc girls - I am not picking on you and don't doubt you were told this but it is false.

The reason I decided to post is so others reading along now or in the future don't panic if they don't have a BC, ID or passport for their kids.

It simply isn't necessary unless your child is a lap child.

 

[waltskids]

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.

SW will ask for a BC, regardless of age (DD was 9 weeks old and we still had show a copy so they could issue a boarding verification document). This document states the child is a 'lap baby' and also has his/her name printed on the pass.

 

[Hannathy]

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.

Same thing happened with me! My Mom was critically ill and I was flying out like 2 hours after I got the call and my DS was 6 weeks old! I didn't know then that you needed it and they had to get a supervisor to OK it and there is no way to misjudge a 6 week old baby for not being under 2. With SW bring the certificate.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

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.

Pretty please stop giving incorrect information. Any child under 2 SWA will most likely ask for a birth certificate.

 

[happymommy]

I just read the info on Soutwest's website - they DO say they need a birth certificate (copy). Wow - I flew alone with my kids so many times on SW, and never needed one. I always had a paid seat, even when my DD was 3 months old (DS was just over 2).

I guess I'd bring a copy just in case.

 

[happy.family.of.6]

I have flown at least once a year with my kids and have never been asked for it before, but now im all paranoid. We are flying SW in 3 1/2 weeks and I dont have 2 of my kids' birth certificates!!! I would have to order them and they wont get here in time. Like I said, I have never been asked for one, but what happens if they ask and I dont have them????

~Scurred!

 

[Sam'sMom0126]

We flew SW with our DS when he was younger and we were asked twice to show the birth certificate so I bring it with me all the time just in case! Have a good trip!

 

[happymommy]

I have flown at least once a year with my kids and have never been asked for it before, but now im all paranoid. We are flying SW in 3 1/2 weeks and I dont have 2 of my kids' birth certificates!!! I would have to order them and they wont get here in time. Like I said, I have never been asked for one, but what happens if they ask and I dont have them????

~Scurred!

It shouldn't take too long to get a copy. I had to get them a while ago, when I needed passports. Now that we have passports, I keep them updated (although I really do not plan on leaving the US anytime soon!). I'd look into it, but relax.

I copied this from SW's website:

What special rules apply to Infants and Toddlers?
If you're traveling with an infant or small child, you should know that proper use of a child restraint device (CRD) enhances child safety on aircraft. For this reason, Southwest Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly recommend that infants and small children who weigh under 40 pounds be secured in an appropriate CRD when traveling by air. Full details.

Traveling with the infant on your lap:
One child over 14 days and under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may be carried free when traveling with an adult (12 yrs of age or older).
Although a boarding pass is not required for the infant, you will need a Boarding Verification Document.
Traveling with the infant in an FAA approved car seat:
Affordable Infant Fares are available that enable a Customer to reserve a seat for an infant and use his/her FAA approved car seat.
A boarding pass is required.
Online checkin is available if the infant is traveling on an Infant Fare and is age verified.
A birth certificate is required to validate age of all infants under age two.
A medical release for travel is required for any infant under 14 days old.
Accompanied children ages two through 11 will be charged the applicable Child's Fare for the flight (does not apply to unaccompanied children ages five through 11). Proof of age may be required.

So I guess for a baby under two, they CAN ask for a birth certificate. How many parents carry one? I would bet less than one percent. I never did, never got asked (even when my son was a "lap baby" from Hawaii, but we were in first class so he had 5 feet of legroom in front of me in his baby carrier, never was in my lap but for takeoff).

 

[Blurrysmom]

AKADrea, those are fantastic shirts! Did you make them? If not, where did you get them? I'd like to get them for my family's January trip (and I think I have a chance of getting my husband to wear these!)

Sorry for the OT post, but I do not yet have enough posts to email or PM anyone.....

 

[crashbb]

I just read the info on Soutwest's website - they DO say they need a birth certificate (copy). Wow - I flew alone with my kids so many times on SW, and never needed one. I always had a paid seat, even when my DD was 3 months old (DS was just over 2).

I guess I'd bring a copy just in case.

Since you only need it for lap children (i.e. those without a paid seat), it makes sense that you were never asked for one (since you always had a paid for your kids).

 

[Hannathy]

I have flown at least once a year with my kids and have never been asked for it before, but now im all paranoid. We are flying SW in 3 1/2 weeks and I dont have 2 of my kids' birth certificates!!! I would have to order them and they wont get here in time. Like I said, I have never been asked for one, but what happens if they ask and I dont have them????

~Scurred!

Are they lap babies? Are they on an infant fare or a child's fare? If they are on adult fares you won't need them. It is only if they are lap or special age related fares.

 

[tjmw2727]

I have flown at least once a year with my kids and have never been asked for it before, but now im all paranoid. We are flying SW in 3 1/2 weeks and I dont have 2 of my kids' birth certificates!!! I would have to order them and they wont get here in time. Like I said, I have never been asked for one, but what happens if they ask and I dont have them????

~Scurred!

ID is not required for ticketed passengers under 18! The airlines don't require it nor does the TSA. If your unsure check the TSA website, links have been provided a few times on this thread.

The exception being discussed esp with regard to SWA is for children under 2 years when flying free on a parents lap. The reason for the ID is to prove they are eligible to fly unticketed. The airlines face steep fines if a child over 2 isn't ticketed. Some airlines ask for a BC for a lap child if they look close to 2, SWA asks for a BC 99.9 % of the time for a child under 2 flying on a parents lap.

So again, don't panic...... if you have purchased seats for your children they don't need a birth certificate or any other type of ID.

eta - Southwest's web site is a little confusing with regard to the part on "age verifying children". They are talking about proving a child qualifiys for a reduced or child fare or to fly free. If you purchased your tickets online then the children are flying on a regular fare not a child fare and don't need to be age verified. Most times the childrens fares are much more expensive then the web specials so it is rare for a child other than a lap rider (under 2) to have to be "age verified"

 

[happy.family.of.6]

thank you, i feel better now. i was a little worried, but seriously, they have never asked me and im shouldnt be worried. we have (2) 9 yr olds, a 7 yr old and 5 yr old and yes we bought regular tickets through their website.

THanks!!!!

 

[sweetmonkey]

We flew SWA to Vegas in June with our 4 month old. They definitely asked for a birth certificate which we did not yet have. (We had requested it and there was a problem getting it.) They did not want to let us fly with out it but we did have the birth certificate request receipt, his shot records and hospital certificate and they had a manager come over and sign off on the documentation. I would definitely do anything possible to avoid that hassle and be safe with the appropriate documentation if at all possible.