Do children need a photo id?

[Kim W.]

We will be flying Southwest in Dec. Do my children(8 and 5 yrs) need a photo id? I do have birth cert. and plan to have those with me, will I need anything else?

Thanks,
Kim W.

 

[Disnydad]

We have flown with our two children, now ages 9 & 10, a lot. We carry a certified bith certificate for each. We have never been asked for the birth certificates though.

 

[nancyj_pa]

We just flew to Orlando in October with a child. No id at all is needed until child is 18 (U.S. Air).

 

[flyingcircus]

I have flown at least 5 times RT since Sept. 11th with my 3 and 7 year, and have NEVER been asked for an ID for the children on United. I do have passports just in case, but have never had to show them

 

[gamas]

My DDs are 7 and 4 and we spent the money to have photo Ids done and we were never asked once to show them...

Amy

 

[SPAGo 98]

Yup, it's just for people 18 and over.

 

[Kim W.]

Thank you all for the information. I will keep the birth cert. with me just in case.
I would hate to be the one to hold up the line at security!!!!

Kim W.

 

[Coloradomom]

On our trip last month, I brought DS (age 16) and DD (age 12) school IDs with us. The ticket agent did look at them and then we showed them at security as well, when we showed our ID. I was glad I brought them..even though my 16 year old does not look particularly old for his age, I did not want to take any chances. They actually thanked me! I do not think this is necessary for younger kids but if anyone else has teenagers I would recommend it.

 

[Patio]

MY dh asked USAir if our kids 12 and 7,need photo id and they said no, 18 and over need it.

 

[Redmic]

Here in Maine the only place legally allowed to produce photo i.d.s is the Department of Motor Vehicles, and they will not produce one for a child under the age of 16. I looked into this before our recent trip, and was given the same information by both the photo shops and and the DMV. Apparently this is to prevent underage drinkers from getting fake cards. Luckily no i.d. was needed on Delta. I don't know if other states have similar restrictions.

 

[leebee]

Kids don't need ID BUT...dd and I have different last names (kept my name when I got married). Leaving New Orleans once on NW, check in agent gave me a terribly hard time- Why do you have different last names? How do I know you're not trying to kidnap her?- etc. Everything ended up OK, but not before he called security and I asked for his supervisor (and I wasn't being nasty or snotty- the last thing I wanted was to have my 3 yo taken from me, into custody, 'til it could be straightened out). I always travel with dd's passport now, just in cse- and have NEVER flown NW again!

 

[baileybrad]

No. But I am sure if you offer the check-in folks a birth certificate...they will obviously look at it.

 

[ToyStory]

We always bring our son's passport some times they look at it and some times they don't. When I travel with my son in December to Disney I will be bringing his passport and birth certificate since we have different last names since I kept my maiden name.

On our trip home yesterday the Delta agent made a comment about a young boy (he is four) having a passport. We only got it him a passport to have USA citizen proof when he obtain citizenship a year ago.