Flying Southwest with 1 and 3 year old?

[mmsportsmom]

I flew with my kids without any ID but am getting ready to fly with my grandkids (and their parents) for the first time on Southwest. The Southwest website mentions bringing their birth certificates. Anyone fly Southwest with young kids? Dow we need to bring birth certificates? Maybe it is to get a boarding verification document for the 1 year old who will be a lap baby? I appreciate any clarification and experiences!

 

[hollydolls]

They may need it to verify age for lap children, though it’s unlikely they’ll need to prove identity. Southwest will accept a photocopy.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes SWA requires a birth certificate for a lap rider, if you purchase a seat for an under 2 no birth certificate required. You don't need anything for the 3-year-old.

Here is the info from the website- Lap Child FAQ | Southwest Airlines
SWA requires an original BC for a lap rider otherwise you will need to purchase a full fare ticket for the under 2

 

[CaptainAmerica]

A passport or passport card can take the place of the birth certificate if they have either.

 

[mmsportsmom]

Thank you all! Glad I realized this now, we are 13 days til we leave! I only flew with my kids when they needed seats and knew we didn't need any ID.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I flew with my kids without any ID but am getting ready to fly with my grandkids (and their parents) for the first time on Southwest. The Southwest website mentions bringing their birth certificates. Anyone fly Southwest with young kids? Dow we need to bring birth certificates? Maybe it is to get a boarding verification document for the 1 year old who will be a lap baby? I appreciate any clarification and experiences!

you will need for the year old as a lap baby

 

[Jmiller121414]

We just used a photocopy of the birth certificate. Just make sure it doesn't get packed in the checked in luggage

 

[Disturbia]

Take a photocopy of the certificate incase someone asks for age. There was a family with a 1.5 year old who was asked to prove their child was under 2 for not buying a seat. They were not allowed to board (had to take a different flight) until they reached medical records and got a fax sent.

Also if you do buy a seat for an under 2 year old you might need to prove age for not wearing masks.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

When we first flew with my now 10 month old he was 4 months and I didn’t have his birth certificate yet. I called SW and they told me they only ask for it if they question their age being under 2. I was relieved when we got there and they just asked to see him. Fast forward to flying with him at 9 months and then while packing my bags decided just to toss in the birth certificate. Thank goodness I did because they wanted to see it despite him not looking anywhere near 2. So long story to say make sure to take it for a lap child even if someone tells you they probably won’t ask for it.

 

[Disn3yVision]

I flew with my kids without any ID but am getting ready to fly with my grandkids (and their parents) for the first time on Southwest. The Southwest website mentions bringing their birth certificates. Anyone fly Southwest with young kids? Dow we need to bring birth certificates? Maybe it is to get a boarding verification document for the 1 year old who will be a lap baby? I appreciate any clarification and experiences!

We have flown southwest without kids many times and they never check but we bring it just in case