Do I have to have a Birth Certificate for our 1 year old

[californiamomof4grls]

TO fly on Southwest airlines?

 

[Malcon10t]

TO fly on Southwest airlines?

Yes, from their website: "If you are traveling on an Infant, Child, or Senior Fare, you must present the traveler's proof of age (i.e., birth certificate, driver's license, or another government-issued photo ID that indicates the traveler's date of birth) to a Customer Service Agent at the airport in order to check in for your flight. "

 

[Isatricia]

Sometimes you will get asked for it and sometimes not. You ONLY need it if she is flying as a lap child - I suppose also according tot the rule if she is traveling on a special fare, though I have always found those to be more expensive than the regular fare for adults. If she has a seat, it doesn't matter. And it all depends on the ticket agent when you check in. Once I was asked for it when my dd was 6 weeks and once I wasn't asked when she was nearly 2 - when it wasn't so obvious that she was under 2. I was never asked for it by the sky caps. I made copies of my girls birth certificates and carried them for when I needed them - they are still in my purse.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Yes, from their website: "If you are traveling on an Infant, Child, or Senior Fare, you must present the traveler's proof of age (i.e., birth certificate, driver's license, or another government-issued photo ID that indicates the traveler's date of birth) to a Customer Service Agent at the airport in order to check in for your flight. "

I saw it on their website but the first time I flew I wasn't asked for it either way. The producer who made my flight arrangements in Nov. told me to bring the other kids but just Dd 1 her social security card. I was never asked for anyone's. It's Friday (I can't get it even if I wanted too) and I don't have hers I haven't needed it for anything yet.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

I wonder why they would tell you to bring a SS card if it doesn't have any birth information on it to prove that she's actually under 2? I called last week and was told that a birth certificate would be required. I was warned that if I did not have it with me, I would be required to pay full price. For your sake, I hope the Southwest employees at your airport are sympathetic. Regardless, have a great trip!

 

[Malcon10t]

I wonder why they would tell you to bring a SS card if it doesn't have any birth information on it to prove that she's actually under 2? I called last week and was told that a birth certificate would be required. I was warned that if I did not have it with me, I would be required to pay full price. For your sake, I hope the Southwest employees at your airport are sympathetic. Regardless, have a great trip!

This has been my experience.

 

[bumbershoot]

If the baby is a lap child, then YES, bring the birth certificate. Don't bring a SS card, the person that told you that is wrong. Just the BC.

And only if they are a lap child. If they have their own seat it's not needed, as minors do not need any ID (unless getting something special like lap child status).

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

The producer might have mentioned the SS card for other reasons. The OP is going to DL from winning a free trip from the Ellen DeGeneres show. There might be legal paperwork involved in claiming the prize, so the producer might want an SS card for reasons that have nothing to do with flying SWA. I'd bring any IDs or paperwork you have.
As someone who has crossed the US-Canada border with newborns, I know you can also go to most hospitals and request a "birth report," where they type out the details (your name, the date of baby's birth, baby's gender, etc.) on their letterhead, and I've had border patrol accept that for a baby who was WAY too young to have received the birth cert in the mail. (It was a Dec 17 baby crossing the border at Christmas.)

GL, californiamomof4grls!

 

[Chaseme]

I flew Southwest last year with my 1 year old, I was given the option to use his shot record or his BC to prove his age. I only had his shot record at the time and I was required to show it at check in.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

I flew Southwest last year with my 1 year old, I was given the option to use his shot record or his BC to prove his age. I only had his shot record at the time and I was required to show it at check in.

I was hoping some one might say that! I am going to bring that with me! AWESOME!!

 

[Isatricia]

I have read that shot records can be used as well. We don't have that so it wouldn't work for me. I think it is important to get a birth certificate asap after birth and make a copy to carry with me when we travel. Both my girls flew at 6 weeks and I was asked for their birth certificates.

 

[lalasmama]

When I asked SW about what was needed for my DD, they told me that proof of age (Birth certificate, shot record, letter from the pediatrician, etc) was only needed IF they were flying under a special fare (lap child, infant/child's fare, etc). In our case, the adult fare was $121 and the child's fair for the SAME EXACT FLIGHT was $362... So, we did the adult fare, which is anyone is allowed to buy, no matter the age, which allowed early check-in, and no one batted an eye or asked for age documentation.... In fact, I think the only thing anyone did was ask her to state her name, and answer "who is this with you?" (or the similar, "is this the parent you live with?") while heading through the TSA checkpoint.

 

[Isatricia]

When I asked SW about what was needed for my DD, they told me that proof of age (Birth certificate, shot record, letter from the pediatrician, etc) was only needed IF they were flying under a special fare (lap child, infant/child's fare, etc). In our case, the adult fare was $121 and the child's fair for the SAME EXACT FLIGHT was $362... So, we did the adult fare, which is anyone is allowed to buy, no matter the age, which allowed early check-in, and no one batted an eye or asked for age documentation.... In fact, I think the only thing anyone did was ask her to state her name, and answer "who is this with you?" (or the similar, "is this the parent you live with?") while heading through the TSA checkpoint.

Interesting.....at the security checkpoint they always ask my girls names and ages but they have never asked who they were with.

 

[disney 1999]

I work for southwest!! Yes if the child is riding on your lap you need proof of age!! you may use a bc, shot records, or a medical card IF it has the birthdate on it. You may and or may not be asked for proof of age. The federal gov CAN fine you if you do not bring the poa, so even if you think the child is young enough that you wont be asked for it, you still need to bring it!!

better to safe than sorry!!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Why didn't "Ellen" purchase a seat for your baby?? I'm sure this is costing them a fair bit, one more airfare cost wouldn't be that outrageous. Enjoy your visit. And yes, years ago DS flew Southwest free using his shot record.

 

[skier_pete]

You generally should carry a copy of the birth certificate just to get through TSA. They won't always ask for it, but they might. Usually you do not need the original though, a copy will do fine. (It's generally a good idea to have a copy of your child's ID when traveling, as well as up-to-date pictures.)

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Why didn't "Ellen" purchase a seat for your baby?? I'm sure this is costing them a fair bit, one more airfare cost wouldn't be that outrageous. Enjoy your visit. And yes, years ago DS flew Southwest free using his shot record.

Because there are already 6 of them that need flights and tickets and food (7 with the baby). With 7 seats 3 kids would have to sit in a row on their own or one or two would have to sit with strangers if it was a full flight.

You generally should carry a copy of the birth certificate just to get through TSA. They won't always ask for it, but they might. Usually you do not need the original though, a copy will do fine. (It's generally a good idea to have a copy of your child's ID when traveling, as well as up-to-date pictures.)

They are first time fliers (minus the whirlwind flight down to the Ellen show in November where they literally had 2 hours to pack up 5 kids and leave for the airport).


The medical card is a good idea too. I forget it has a birthday on it.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

PLEASE make sure you have a shot record or birth certificate with you. They are not messing around with this requirement, as we almost learned the hard way. We ended up having to have our pediatrician's office fax us a copy of the record for our return flight.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

PLEASE make sure you have a shot record or birth certificate with you. They are not messing around with this requirement, as we almost learned the hard way. We ended up having to have our pediatrician's office fax us a copy of the record for our return flight.

They made it down and now back with either the shot record or baby's insurance card.