Has anyone needed birth certificates lately? I leave tomorrow!

[Rock'n Robin]

When we went in Dec. I took the kids' birth certificates and never needed them. I only have one copy of each so it made me pretty nervous to schlep them around. Has anyone needed them at the airports recently? Esp. on Delta.
Robin M.

 

[CRCrazy]

Hi RR

Flew last week on ATA with 14 TSA students - 7 of whom were under 16, no driver's licenses of course. The kids were all asked to show their ID, meaning the certificates. On the return trip, one of the boys had lost his - they immediately pulled him aside and sent him off with a security guard - out of my view and without my permission - I felt they should have waited for an adult to accompany them! He did return less than five minutes later - they just had him open his suitcase, and ran it through a scanner, then checked it through and gave him his boarding pass.

I didn't bring the original certificates - those are only needed for customs when exiting/entering the country. I just made a photocopy on the fax machine. I gave my daughter three copies - one for her pocket - one in her carry-on, and one in MY wallet. Better safe than sorry!

Most convenience stores have a photocopier if you don't have access to any other one - Good Luck and have a great trip!

 

[LucyStorm]

Robin,
I just ran my DD's on the scanner, but like you, I never needed it.
I did make 2 copies in case one was lost. One went in my purse/wallet, and the other went in my passporter.

Better safe than sorry, I think.

 

[CarolMN]

The best/safest thing to do is check with your airline - either their web site or by calling. When I've checked, children traveling with their parents do not need ID unless they are 18 or older or traveling internationally. (However, my daughter was 18 long before 9/11).

If you are at all concerned, make a photocopy of the birth certificates. Leave the official copies at home in a safe place. I'm betting you will not need the photocopies even once during your trip because no one will ask for them. IMHO, birth certificates really don't prove anything anyway. How would anyone know if a birth certifcate really belonged to a particular child anyway?

Enjoy your trip!

 

[betterlatethannever]

Before we flew down to Florida last month, I called Continental Airlines to find out what was needed for our DD(11). They mentioned among other things, a library card was acceptable.

Ed

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by betterlatethannever
Before we flew down to Florida last month, I called Continental Airlines to find out what was needed for our DD(11). They mentioned among other things, a library card was acceptable.

Ed

This just tells me that Continental doesn't really require IDs for children traveling domestically with their parents. IMHO, library cards are absolutely worthless as a form of ID. At our municipal library anyone can get a card by just filling out a form and there are no pictures on them. They would be incredibly easy to fake, too.

 

[WDWKim]

I emailed US Air about this and they told me that children don't need photo id as long as they are traveling with a parent. Not sure how they would know this, but that's what they wrote back. I am bringing their school idea (photo id) just in case. Would hate to get there and run into a hassle, maybe I'll throw in a copy of their BC too! Just to be on the safe side. Have been told one thing by their head quarters and then when you get to the airport something different, so better safe then sorry I say.......

 

[cindala]

We are just back from our trip to WDW and flew on Delta. Our DD who just turned 18 needed to show her birth certificate and license (it doesn't have a picture). If you have a government issued picture ID, then that is all you need. If you don't have that, then you need 2 official forms of identification. We brought the original birth certificate, since I have 2 anyway, and they are easy to replace. They actually checked to feel the raised seal on the certificate!

Other DD didn't require any ID, but I showed her school picture ID anyway.