ID for 2-year-old to fly???

[mantysk8coach]

We were talking about our upcoming trip to WDW over dinner one night, and my two sister-in-laws, one who does not have kids, and one who has five kids, but has never flown with any of them, insisted that my two year old will need an ID card to fly. Like, an actual ID card that you'd go to the DMV to get.

I have never heard of such a thing! The idea of taking my two year old to the DMV to get her photo taken for a state ID card seems ridiculous!

In reading threads on the travel board, it seems like she won't need any ID at all since she is so young. I was going to bring a copy of her birth certificate just in case (and to prove her age if necessary at WDW because she is very tall for her age), but they insisted that wasn't enough for the flight, and she'd need an ID.

Are my in-laws nuts?

 

[Schmeck]

A birth certificate should be fine. Check with the airline, and then you'll know for sure (and can tell your in-lawas the correct info).

When my DD13 went to WDW with her class, they all needed photo IDs for the flight - the school supplied them, using photos from their student IDs. That's the only time either child has needed an ID on a domestic flight. They both do have passports, which have come in very handy for many scenarios besides international travel!

 

[NotUrsula]

Unless you are flying across the US border and landing outside the country, they are incorrect. (If you are flying internationally, the child would need a passport, not an "ID card".)

Do call the airline to verify, by all means.

 

[lovesdumbo]

My oldest has flown to Disney at 3 1/2, 4, 4 1/2, and 5 1/2.

My DS has flown to Disney at 3, 4, 4 1/2, and nearly 5.

My youngest has flown to Disney at 1, 2, and 3.

NONE have ever needed an ID. They all always had purchased seats. On 3 trips I flew with a child without my DH and never needed any kind of ID or anything else. On 1 flight my DS was chosen for additional security and they still never asked for an ID.

 

[elsabear]

Unless something has recently changed you should not need any picture ID. In fact I only needed to bring my dd's birth certificate when she was 18 months and we did not buy her a ticket. We flew Airtran and took the birth certificate to show that she was eligible to fly free (under 2yrs) on our laps. My 7 year old has flown 4+ times, granted 2x were before 9/11 but 2 were after.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

You DEFINITELY don't need a photo ID. The Birth Certificate will be fine.

 

[GEM]

Anybody under 18 doesn't have to show a photo ID for domestic travel. However, if they are old enough to look like they are close to 18 (around 16 or so) they might get asked if they have a driver's license. For a two year old, you won't need anything. (If she was under 2 and you weren't buying her a seat, they might ask to see a birth certificate for proof of age.)

I routinely travel with large groups of junior high and high school students all over the country on all different airlines. None of them are required to have any form of photo ID.

 

[graygables]

Having grown up in the Army with an ID card, I got my DDs ID cards from the BMV when they were 3 and 5. Airport security people are always happy to see them. No, they aren't necessary and a copy of the BC is a smart choice, but this country is moving toward needing ID, so I don't have a problem with it. The rest of the world carries "papers", we should, too.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We always carry a copy of the BC with us just in case. Spirit has never asked for it, neither has Northwest. I do hear that SW often asked, but haven flown them for a while (mostly just for proff of age if you want a lap baby with no ticket.) The wrost is they might make you pay for the child ticket and reinburse if fax it to them after. (or at least that is what happens on Airline.)

My older DD's preschool does a ID security program with a little card andt he childs name on it (you have a copy and it in a national data base in case of missing children ever.) I carry this with me for picture ID that she is who I say she is, but never needed it. I still carry her BC copy because it has her brithdate on it.

I have never meet anyone who took their child to the DMV and had a ID made. I think the people there might think you were nuts if you requested it. Not even sure they would allow it. A pass port is another story. Many people do have them for their children.

 

[Fionasmommy]

No way! My DD4 has flown so much... wow, she's actually been on 20+ domestic flights! And we've never been asked for a BC. I always bring a copy of her BC, just in case, but we've never needed it. The only time we've had to worry about I.D. is for international flights - she did need a passport of her own for that.

 

[KIMZKIDZ]

Here in Michigan, you can get a state id card ($10) by presenting b.c. and filling out a form...looks just like a drivers license.

I did it b/c all of the info(pic/ht/wt/addy) is readily available for any emergency circumstance by any state/govt agency

They expire in approx 3 yrs

 

[DisneyPhD]

Here in Michigan, you can get a state id card ($10) by presenting b.c. and filling out a form...looks just like a drivers license.

I did it b/c all of the info(pic/ht/wt/addy) is readily available for any emergency circumstance by any state/govt agency

They expire in approx 3 yrs

I did not know that. Do you take them in the Secertary of State to do it? I advoid that place at all costs. There is not way I would drag my kids in there! Heck, if I have to go there I find someone else to wacth them (pay them) so I don't have to bring them there!

 

[graygables]

I did not know that. Do you take them in the Secertary of State to do it? I advoid that place at all costs. There is not way I would drag my kids in there! Heck, if I have to go there I find someone else to wacth them (pay them) so I don't have to bring them there!

In Ohio, you just go to the BMV with the BC and SS card. Easy, and it wasn't more than $10 here, either.

 

[SueM in MN]

My DDs never get asked for ID and they are both over 18. Both my DDs look younger than they are, but I thought the oldest one at least looked 18.
The last time we flew (last March) the security person told my oldest DD she should put her ID away because "You don't need to show it until you are 18, honey." My DD was not too happy with that, since she was nearly 23 at the time!
The airline people did look, but I think if we had not had the ID out, they may not have asked for it.
Anyway, if they don't want to look at my DDs, I don't think they will bother with your 2 yr old.

 

[KIMZKIDZ]

Yep, I drag them in to Secy of State I go on Wed or Thurs..Lines aren't bad (10 minute wait) They were good and nothing a gameboy or leapster can't help occupy

 

[rhiannonwales]

I have never needed ID for either of my kids to fly.And frankly if i did i wouldn't fly.I refuse to get an ID for my kids.I'm one of those crackpots who thinks that the idea of "identity papers" is WAY too much government intrusion.I also dont have them fingerprinted or in any national registry other than the SSA (social security administration). In this day and age it is too easy for the wrong people to get that info. My kids insurance cards do not use thier SS numbers like many companies do.Neither does his school.

I realise that i am in the minority in this one.I also dont vaccinate my kids, im way too much of a hippie liberal for that lol.

 

[mum of two pirates]

My oldest is 8 and he got his first one at 8mo. We flew when he was 10 mo and I didn't want to take his bc with us. I had to hold him up to have it taken and they got my arm in the first one and had to retake it, becouse only that child can be in it. lol. It only cost $7 then, now to renew them it's $14. I have to get both boys renewed this year. I like to have them, we travel across the boarder to canada a lot to go swimming, and its nice to just take them instead of bc. Becides that theyare so fun for them to have, ours goes in a fishing lanyard around there neck and stays in the car, my mom has there old ones and uses them to take them into canada when they stay with her. Our town only has about 5,000 people so its a bad day if you have to wait behind one person. I am getting them done in oct becouse I want them updated for our Disney trip, and I will carry the new and they the old.

 

[Rai's Mommy]

I think a lot of the confusion with the in-laws believing that the kids need id's probably comes from all of the hoopla being made over the upcoming requirement for passports for both adults and children traveling across the Canadian border. This new reg which was supposed to go into effect for all border crossings as of 12/31/05 seems to have been extended to 12/31/06 for air/sea travel and 12/31/07 for land travel according the the State Dept's website.

I've had a passport for my daughter since she was under a year since we take a lot of flights to Europe and have always just used it for domestic travel as well. I've also found having a passport for her handing when it comes to things such as registering her for school.

 

[beattyfamily]

The only situation where an airline might want proof of age is if your child is under 2 and you didn't buy them a seat/ticket but they are close to 2 so the airline might think you are lying to get a free flight for your child who 'may' or may not be over 2.

Other then that situation , you do not need ID for a child under 18 (unless they are also very close to 18 years old as well).

 

[Windy City Heather]

My dd3 has flown 16 times both inside and outside the U.S. Inside the U.S. never needed anything. I do travel with her birth certificate and an id card that I got FREE at my police station but I have never needed it in the U.S. It has a photo and finger prints. She also has a passport. We flew to Disney last month and did not need anything.