Child ID

[kwitcherkicken99]

So we are flying this time and one rep from AirTran said the kids didn't need to show proof of age since they both have paid seats. A different rep said they do need to show proof of age...

What are the proper IDs to take for the kids? When DS flew last year they accepted a child ID from a local hospital (the kind you have on hand in case the kids get lost, not a gov't issued ID). Should I get them actual gov't issued IDs or pick up a card from CVS/Walgreens???

TIA!

 

[ancestry]

Kids under 18 do not need any type of ID to fly -- unless they are flying as a lap child or on a special child rate that is only good for certain ages and in those cases it is the airline that requires them not security.

The only type of government ID that non-military children can get are passports. Most states will not issue state IDs for children (under 16).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm not sure why this issue causes such confusion. The rule about ids is very clear:

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

It's pretty easy to go to the source.

 

[heatherwillmom]

Kids under 18 do not need any type of ID to fly -- unless they are flying as a lap child or on a special child rate that is only good for certain ages and in those cases it is the airline that requires them not security.

The only type of government ID that non-military children can get are passports. Most states will not issue state IDs for children (under 16).

This isn't true. You can get a government ID from the DVM that looks just like a drivers license but says ID on it instead on drivers license. I took my son to the DVM & got him one. You have to provide a birth certificate & proof of residence just like with a drivers license. I used it at WDW for the birthday promotion that they had last year. He always carries it when we travel. He likes the fact that it looks like a DL.

 

[ancestry]

This isn't true. You can get a government ID from the DVM that looks just like a drivers license but says ID on it instead on drivers license. I took my son to the DVM & got him one. You have to provide a birth certificate & proof of residence just like with a drivers license. I used it at WDW for the birthday promotion that they had last year. He always carries it when we travel. He likes the fact that it looks like a DL.

This is not true in all states. All of the states I have lived in will not issue these to people under the age of 16. I know I tried to get them for my kids and couldn't. Most states will not issues a state id for kids under 16.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I'm not sure why this issue causes such confusion. The rule about ids is very clear:

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

It's pretty easy to go to the source.

That link only mentions 18+. I had to provide ID when travelling under 18... hence my question.

 

[Hannathy]

That link only mentions 18+. I had to provide ID when travelling under 18... hence my question.

Where were you traveling? because you did not need it if you were under 18.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Where were you traveling? because you did not need it if you were under 18.

Hawaii. I had to show gov't issued ID when I was 14.

 

[Hannathy]

Hawaii. I had to show gov't issued ID when I was 14.

Were you on a special fare like a youth? That is the only way they can require it and that is only to prove age.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Don't think so. We were flying out for a firefighter convention. My mom is a definately discount shopper, so most likely, she found the same fare for me that my parents were on.

It was such a pain to get that ID, finding the number of points I needed to get it from the BMV. Though it did come in handy when getting my license a couple years later.

 

[Alesia]

Don't think so. We were flying out for a firefighter convention. My mom is a definately discount shopper, so most likely, she found the same fare for me that my parents were on.

It was such a pain to get that ID, finding the number of points I needed to get it from the BMV. Though it did come in handy when getting my license a couple years later.

Youth fares are cheaper. If your mom is a discount shopper, she probably got a youth fare for you, which is why you had to show ID.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I had to provide ID when travelling under 18... hence my question.

Having to provide an id to an airline to qualify for a specific fare is not the same thing as the id requirements from TSA.

As stated on this board hundreds of times, no one under age 18 is required by TSA to have an id to travel domestically.

 

[TheWog]

I have flown many times with my son and we have never had to show an ID for him to fly within the U.S.