Do children need ID's for the airport?

[susaninMS]

My children have never flown; and naturally my DH and I will have our driver's license. But what about children? Do we need a birth certificate with us....even so, that does not *prove* that they are the children on the birth certificate.....

TIA

 

[debster812]

Last January, our DS needed NOTHING, at check in they said he did not need anything, and at all the security checkpoints no one asked for anything.

That being said, I did bring along his birth certificate. This year we will also have his "Safety Week ID Card". (His Kindergarten had the police department come in and photograph, and fingerprint all the children). So he has a laminated card with his indexfingerprint, and a photo.

 

[mcnuss]

I've never been asked to provide any form of ID for DD9, and we've flown many times since the new rules went into effect. I have heard that if they are flying SW on a child's fare, they must have proof of age. But of course, you are all too correct when you note that the BC could belong to any child!

 

[Snowysmom]

I have heard of one instance in which a family was asked for birth ceritificates for their children. I don't know what airline it was. i work in a public library and on a Saturday morning a distraught mother called and asked if we knew where she could get copies of her children's birth certificates. The airline would not let them board without them. They were going to Disney and the plane did take off without them. To be safe, contact the airline or bring them just in case. I felt so bad for that family.

Candy

 

[TammyC]

Many state driver's license bureaus will issue photo state I.D.'s. I got one for my DS when I thought we might be travelling to Canada. I believe it cost $6.00.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

The only time I needed ID for my DDs is when I was lapping DD2. She was 22 months (you can only lap up to 2 years), so the airline asked for a birth certificate, which I had, upon initial check in. Once I had verified the "baby's" age, no problems. We also travelled with DD4.5 on that trip, and all airline/security employees assumed that DD belonged to me. Nobody asked for any kind of proof for her, although I had her birth certificate too, if needed.

 

[KatieKate16]

Southwest told me we needed to birth certificates. I am thinking about having a state ID made for her (she'd get a real kick out of that -- and it'd be easier to tote than the bc).

We had her ID made on Saturday for only $4. She loves it!

 

[ahutton]

I've also been asked for a birth certificate, but because I had one DD as a lap passenger. They asked if I had an ID card for DD (who is 3 1/2) but when I said no, she indicated that was fine, she was just checking.

 

[Bowman]

We just returned Aug. 31 from 8 days at Disney. We flew down from ABE airport in PA and flew into Orlando/Sanford Airport. We flew on Southeast Airlines. I called approximately 3-4 days ahead of time to just check if everything was ready for us and I asked about ID. They said any adults needed a drivers license and my 2 kids would need either their Birth Certificate, Social Security card or a school photo ID. I took the SS cards along. I put them in a baggy and stuffed them into a slot in my wallet. When we went through ABE I did not take them out and we just gave them our licenses for the 4 adults. (myself, DH, and my parents). They did not even ask for ID for the kids but when we went through security they kind of joked with the kids like " is this really you"? When we returned through Orlando/Sanford I was asked for ID for the kids. I had to give them their SS cards. They gave them right back and that was the only time I had to show anything for them. I guess it's better to take something with and be safe rather than sorry.

 

[bradsmom123]

Bowman - I am leaving out of ABE soon - I live in Brodheadsville - are you close?

 

[Laurabearz]

Wow.... We have flown prolly 50 times with our children and never have been asked for any kind of ID for them... including when we have lapped a kid....

Interesting......

 

[becjlek]

We have the state photo ID's for both of our children. I just felt better having it before we got to the airport so there would be no question.

 

[justhat]

I am 23 and recently flew from Newark to New Orleans with my fiancé, my mother, and her friend for my engagement party with my fiancé's family. When checking in for our flight and boarding the plane on each leg of the trip, I was told that I did not need to show an ID since I was underage! One worker even told me this after I handed her my license, which obviously has my DOB on it. Just makes me feel that much safer when flying to know that since I look young (though not sure about 6 years younger than I am) I am not checked for ID.

 

[curlyq]

We're flying in October on Southwest and stepmother is making all of the arrangements. She called and was told children do not need ID's. I was still leary so she called again and was told the same thing. When she was finalizing everything, she was speaking to a manager and and in passing conversation, the manager told her she would need them. The reason behind this was as long as security is on low alert, they would not be needed but if security was raised to a higher level, ID would be needed. I think it all depends on who you talk to whether you need it or not but to be on the safe side, I would take it. We were also told that copies of birth certificates were OK. I would double and triple check that though.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

We didn't need IDs for my grandkids (7 & 8) in August ... however I do carry state issued children's IDs for them ... they cost about $5 and are well worth the investment.

 

[2tinksmom]

We've always flown Continental and, even though I take their SS cards with me, I've never been asked for them. Doesn't mean there won't be a first time one day.