Bringing birth certificate when flying with child

[Kohara]

Last time I brought his birth certificate and they never asked for it. So I'm curious do you bring birth certificates when flying with your kids? Is it a requirement or just for safe measure?

 

[jahber]

Last time I brought his birth certificate and they never asked for it. So I'm curious do you bring birth certificates when flying with your kids? Is it a requirement or just for safe measure?

The only time you need a birth certificate to fly is when the child is under 2 and is sitting on your lap (not in her own seat). If ID is needed for an international flight, it would be a passport.
Eta: if the child is obviously under 2, they may not ask for the BC. They've never asked me to see my kids'.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Not when flying domestically, no. I only bring a passport when I'm going to be switching countries. However, I do keep a copy of her birth certificate in my suitcase, just in case something crazy happens.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

You do need a BC when flying domestically with a child under 2 and you have not purchased them a seat. I've read where airlines (SWA in particular) ask to see it even when it's very obvious the child is under 2. If you are flying domestically and have purchased a seat for the child, then the BC is not needed. A passport can be used in lieu of the BC for proof of age for a lap child.

You would need a passport for the child when flying internationally. And you would need either the BC or a passport for the child when cruising.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Its 1 piece of paper, bring it!..........even if you don't need, no problem, but if you do get asked for it, for some odd ball reason, it could save you missing the cruise.

We bring every document we have, just to have them* in case*.

AKK

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Its 1 piece of paper, bring it!..........even if you don't need, no problem, but if you do get asked for it, for some odd ball reason, it could save you missing the cruise.

We bring every document we have, just to have them* in case*.

AKK

If they are cruising, then either a BC or passport will be needed for the child anyway. So I am confused as to why the OP is asking on a cruise forum if a BC is needed for flying.

 

[CerysG]

I bring their long BC when flying internationally becaus3 DH and I have different last names and that can cause red flahs to go up especially if crossing international boarders. Canadian long BC list both parents name. We've never been asked for them but I'v heard horror stories from people who have been stopped without having them. Don't know what other counties list on theirbc but I would rather have them with me just in case.

 

[ellynsoh]

We were asked for birth certificates for seven month old preemie twins. Some employees are sticklers while others are not.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

If they are cruising, then either a BC or passport will be needed for the child anyway. So I am confused as to why the OP is asking on a cruise forum if a BC is needed for flying.

Good Point Maggie's Mom.

That is why we bring all we have just in case. I say the same about folks with kids and divorces are involved, the Ex letter, notarized, saying its ok to take the kids out of the country.....etc....etc..........anything that not having when your checking, in could be a problem.


Its just a few extra sheets of paper!


AKK

 

[Ofinn]

Last time I brought his birth certificate and they never asked for it. So I'm curious do you bring birth certificates when flying with your kids? Is it a requirement or just for safe measure?

No never. If I'm going on a cruise then yes BC or passport. You don't need anything for kids to fly.

 

[bumbershoot]

All three of us have different last names and DH and DS only look similar once you know them and I still don't bring a BC when flying. If we are traveling together I really don't worry about it. The one trip DS and I flew internationally I forgot about a note be wise we were following DH just not with him (to my mind we were with him, forgetting the authorities didn't know that) but it was fine. The passport and a bit of time answering questions at Heathrow and we were on our way.

 

[TheSpooph]

When we flew with DD a few years ago, we didn't know to bring the BC. The SWA gate agent called the hospital where we delivered to confirm her age. She was about 18 mos at the time. When we fly other airlines, we've never had anyone ask.

I can't really blame SWA for their policies - I think they are trying their best to comply with Federal rules/regulations.

 

[SirDuff]

I bring their long BC when flying internationally becaus3 DH and I have different last names and that can cause red flahs to go up especially if crossing international boarders. Canadian long BC list both parents name. We've never been asked for them but I'v heard horror stories from people who have been stopped without having them. Don't know what other counties list on theirbc but I would rather have them with me just in case.

Don't you need a passport when flying internationally? Or are you saying you bring the passports and the long form birth certificate?

 

[KBinCO]

I have flown with my kids 4-6 times a year since they were born. Southwest will always ask for a birth certificate with a lap child, even if the kid is a newborn. It's their policy. I'm not sure about other airlines enforcing that. Once they have their own seat, no need unless for international travel.

 

[CerysG]

Don't you need a passport when flying internationally? Or are you saying you bring the passports and the long form birth certificate?

Yes I bring both. Once they get an adult passport, age 16, I don't think I need the bc any more.

 

[KBinCO]

My kids have passports, I don't bring a BC with it.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My kids have passports, I don't bring a BC with it.

If you have a passport, there's really no need for a BC, including as proof for a lap child on an airplane.

 

[KBinCO]

If you have a passport, there's really no need for a BC, including as proof for a lap child on an airplane.

ah yes, when my babies were lap children, we didn't have their passports yet. But yeah, since you need the BC to get the passport, passport trumps all.

 

[mose2000]

Another reason you might need a BC when flying with your kids: TSA PreCheck. Kids under a certain age (12, I think?) can go through the PreCheck line with their parent/guardian (assuming the parent/guardian got PreCheck). My daughter is 10 but looks much older, and I often have to prove that she's young enough to come through the line with me.

 

[ILovePixieDust]

Yes I bring both. Once they get an adult passport, age 16, I don't think I need the bc any more.

As long as they have A passport you don't need to travel with the birth certificate. Like someone else said passport trumps all. Doesn't matter if its a child passport or adult passport.