ID for children when flying

[Disneybound!!]

Do I need to take my kids' birth certificates to the airport for them to fly? I know the TSA website says that those 18 and older are required to show identification, and then other places it says "all passengers". I'm just wondering if I'll have to prove my children's identities, and if so how to do that. This will be their first flight, and I want it to go smoothly so they'll love to fly as much as I do. I know that many of you fly often with kids, and I know you can help me! What do you do? Thanks!!

 

[readytogotodisney]

I've flown with my son, niece and nephew on many occasions and never take any ID. Sometimes the TSA agents will ask the kids their name, but that's it.

I guess though it wouldn't hurt to bring copies of their birth certificates.

 

[plb626]

TSA typicallys asks the kids their names. My boys are 6 & 8 and I don't travel with their birth certificates.

 

[Akliebert]

I always bring a copy of my kids birth certificate. I don't want to get to the airport and then have a problem because I have no identification for them.

 

[shaylyn]

We were asked for birth certificates for our infants when we flew last November. Luckily a friend had warned us that they were now asking for it, because, before now, I have NEVER brought ID for any of my kids who were under the age of 18!

 

[WicketsMom]

They generally only ask for ID for children flying as lap babies (without purchasing a seat) to determine if they are under age two, or for international flights. However, we do always carry my four year old's passport with us just in case, even on domestic flights.

 

[Jestocost]

You can and should do whatever you need to feel comfortable, but the fact is that children under 18 do not need any kind of ID to fly domestically unless they are flying as a lap baby. In that case, the airline is required to confirm that they are under two and eligible to fly without a ticket. Some airlines are more stringent than others in following this requirement, but all passengers, including lap babies, need either a boarding pass or security document from the airline to pass through security.

 

[jjant72]

I use this for my kids (with their photo pasted in of course)

 

[Disneybound!!]

I use this for my kids (with their photo pasted in of course)

Gee, that's exactly what I'll use!

Thanks for the help ya'll. I think I'll carry copies just in case.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I think I'll carry copies just in case.

As has already been stated, there is no need to carry an id for children under age 18 on domestic flights, unless they are lap babies under the age of 2.

 

[tjmw2727]

No ID necessary for passengers under 18 unless they are under 2 and flying on a parents lap without a ticket.

I fly almost monthly with my dd's (as recetly May 1st) and I have never, ever been asked for ID for either of them. Sometimes the TSA agent will ask them to state their name and age, most times they just check my ID and send us through.

 

[Lewisc]

Proof of age is required if the child is using an age qualified fare. That includes "lap baby", infant fare, child fare or youth fare. The deeply discounted fare most of us book online are cheaper then most of the child fares.

 

[SaraJayne]

I've never carried ID for my kids when flying with them. The TSA agent typically asks them their name (first and last) and sometimes (if they are older) where they are going and who they're traveling with.

My two have passports, but they haven't been used when flying in the US.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DS15 doesn't have any sort of ID other than his student ID. I have never carried his birth certificate. I looked at getting him a passport but it was going to be such a labor intensive project to get one before our trip I decided not to bother. I THOUGHT he would have a learner's permit this year, but it turns out the rules for getting a permit are really wonky so he doesn't have one yet!

In the past the TSA agents have just asked him his name. Unfortunately he gets nervous and gives them a deer-in-the headlight look, so I am sure they think he is lying by the time he actually spits out his name.

 

[KittenLittle]

The last time we flew,my DD was 16. TSA just asked her how old she was-no problem.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I always have a copy of my son's birth certificate with me - I've been asked for it once. This time I'm just taking his passport with me.

 

[ksloane]

I got my daughter a state id card a couple years ago. I never worry about id now as it's always in my wallet with my driver's license.

 

[TinkStitch]

I always had my state ID with me when I flew when I was 16 & 17. Even thought I knew I technically didn't need it, I have always looked older than I really am, so I just handed it to the agent when they asked for my boarding pass.

 

[rayleechristian]

I just flew with my kids last week and they didn't need any kind of i.d.
The tsa people just asked them their names. It was much easier than I was imagining. Thank goodness!!

 

[MaleficentRN]

In 11 and a half years of flying with my children, no one has ever asked me to produce ID for them. But we will get passports soon.