Southwest Airlines Baby Birth Certificate

[skelow401]

I need some info. We leave for DW on the 3rd and we just read on Southwest's website that you have to have proof of age for children under 2. We have an 11 month old and have never sent off for a birth certificate. We have all kinds of paper work that show his age like shot records and things like that. How picky is southwest about proof? Will they even ask when it is obvious he is under 2?

 

[Alesia]

If the baby is flying as a lap baby, you'll need to have a birth certificate. Yes, Southwest requires a birth certificate for all lap babies. Since allowing children over two to fly as lap babies is a violation of federal regulations, they don't take chances.

 

[skelow401]

Is there something else we can provide if we don't have a birth certificate?

 

[Vijoge]

Is there something else we can provide if we don't have a birth certificate?

I would suggest you call Southwest about this. You're too close to your travel date to take a chance on advice that may or may not be correct.

 

[sam_gordon]

I need some info. We leave for DW on the 3rd and we just read on Southwest's website that you have to have proof of age for children under 2. We have an 11 month old and have never sent off for a birth certificate. We have all kinds of paper work that show his age like shot records and things like that. How picky is southwest about proof? Will they even ask when it is obvious he is under 2?

When we had to get a replacement BC for DW, I was able to drive to the state office (capital is less than an hour away) and have it printed on site. I'd start making phone calls/hitting the internet NOW to see what you can do.

ETA: I guess the worst case scenario is buying a seat for the 11mo.

 

[JimmyBean42]

When we flew with DD2 (7 months old) we were not asked for proof with the birth certificate. I assumed only b/c she was so young that there was no doubt she was under 2. Might be discretionary with your 11 month old as well, as it's certain by looking at your child that they are not 2 years old, but I wouldn't take the chance. I'd start making calls - to both Southwest and wherever you can get the certificate. You'll want the bc for future anyway.

 

[bumbershoot]

When we flew with DD2 (7 months old) we were not asked for proof with the birth certificate. I assumed only b/c she was so young that there was no doubt she was under 2. Might be discretionary with your 11 month old as well, as it's certain by looking at your child that they are not 2 years old, but I wouldn't take the chance. I'd start making calls - to both Southwest and wherever you can get the certificate. You'll want the bc for future anyway.

No. You got lucky. It's not discretionary. It states clearly on their website that babies allowed to travel (14 days+) as lap babies (until their 2nd birthday) need proof of age.

 

[wilkeliza]

My friend just had to pay for his 2 month old to get a seat because they didn't bring a birth certificate. They figured they wouldn't need it so didn't want to take the risk of traveling with it and it was clear their kid was under 2 since she couldn't even really hold up her head while sitting yet. SW made them buy the seat and then told them they could still hold the baby on their lap so they basically paid for a seat they couldn't use since they hadn't brought a car seat with them.

 

[JimmyBean42]

My friend just had to pay for his 2 month old to get a seat because they didn't bring a birth certificate. They figured they wouldn't need it so didn't want to take the risk of traveling with it and it was clear their kid was under 2 since she couldn't even really hold up her head while sitting yet. SW made them buy the seat and then told them they could still hold the baby on their lap so they basically paid for a seat they couldn't use since they hadn't brought a car seat with them.

Normally I'm fine with Southwest's policies but this one is a little bit of nonsense. American Airlines doesn't require a birth certificate if you are declaring the child under 2 at the time of booking. If Southwest is going to require it, they should have a huge warning on their website in bold stating the birth certificate is required or have their customer service agent tell customers not to forget it if they book via phone. It's really nothing more than a money grab by Southwest. Yes they are trying to deter people from saying their 2.5 year old is under 2, but honestly I couldn't last a whole flight with one of my kids on my lap when they were over 2. And if they are ok with you buying an extra seat for a 2 month old (who cleary isn't close to 2 years old) and not having a birth certificate then it's really just about the money. They should review that policy.

 

[maxiesmom]

Normally I'm fine with Southwest's policies but this one is a little bit of nonsense. American Airlines doesn't require a birth certificate if you are declaring the child under 2 at the time of booking. If Southwest is going to require it, they should have a huge warning on their website in bold stating the birth certificate is required or have their customer service agent tell customers not to forget it if they book via phone. It's really nothing more than a money grab by Southwest. Yes they are trying to deter people from saying their 2.5 year old is under 2, but honestly I couldn't last a whole flight with one of my kids on my lap when they were over 2. And if they are ok with you buying an extra seat for a 2 month old (who cleary isn't close to 2 years old) and not having a birth certificate then it's really just about the money. They should review that policy.

It is not at all a money grab. It is no different than stores requiring everyone be carded under the age of 40 for alcohol. You have a wishy washy rule, and people will push and push.

Southwest does state the rule on their web site, so that part of your reply is "a little bit of nonsense".

 

[tjmw2727]

IMHO SWA is pretty upfront about requiring a birth certificate - it is all over the section on traveling with an infant and actually in bold face in a few places. I "think" they will also accept a shot record but if I were the OP I would call to verify as well as make an attempt to obtain a birth certificate as you will need it in the future.

 

[marn913]

Depending on where your child was born, you may be able to get one printed immediately. I had certificates for our kids printed at our county clerk's office and walked out with multiple copies in hand, same day. We do live in the same county where they were born and our city is the county seat so the office was only minutes from home. My husband had a replacement printed before our wedding. We made the request online and had his a few days later by paying a fee to have mailing expedited. Hopefully one of these options will be available for you.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

American Airlines doesn't require a birth certificate if you are declaring the child under 2 at the time of booking. If Southwest is going to require it, they should have a huge warning on their website in bold stating the birth certificate is required or have their customer service agent tell customers not to forget it if they book via phone. It's really nothing more than a money grab by Southwest....

Nonsense. Southwest clearly states a birth certificate is required for a lap baby, as do all airlines, including American:

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/traveling-children.jsp

It's your responsibility to be informed about your airline's policies.

OP, get the birth certificate. You're going to need it for many other things anyway.

 

[wilkeliza]

Normally I'm fine with Southwest's policies but this one is a little bit of nonsense. American Airlines doesn't require a birth certificate if you are declaring the child under 2 at the time of booking. If Southwest is going to require it, they should have a huge warning on their website in bold stating the birth certificate is required or have their customer service agent tell customers not to forget it if they book via phone. It's really nothing more than a money grab by Southwest. Yes they are trying to deter people from saying their 2.5 year old is under 2, but honestly I couldn't last a whole flight with one of my kids on my lap when they were over 2. And if they are ok with you buying an extra seat for a 2 month old (who cleary isn't close to 2 years old) and not having a birth certificate then it's really just about the money. They should review that policy.

I think it is more about the fact it is easier to enforce a rule if it is handled the same across the board. So if you make everyone have to show the BC than they can't be upset when they are asked.

 

[JohnneeO]

United does not requires a birth certificate;

"Children under the age of two traveling within the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with a parent or with an adult 18 years or older can travel on the adult's lap free of charge. If there are two or more children under the age of two traveling with the same adult, only one of the children may travel as a lap child. Any additional children are required to have tickets for their own seats. Children under the age of two traveling internationally (including children traveling to Canada, Guam and Mexico) without a seat are required to have a purchased ticket and are subject to infant fares and taxes. When making your reservation, you should indicate that you are traveling with an infant, regardless of your destination."

When we traveled on United to DLR in 2013 with my 9-month old DD, her adoption wasn't finalized yet, and we didn't even have a birth certificate! We had no issues on our three flights on that trip. (On our more recent trip to WDW earlier this month, we did carry a photocopy of her birth certificate, as a precaution against racist assumptions by strangers, authority figures, and other people in general, since our DD is a different race than the rest of our family.)

 

[sam_gordon]

It is not at all a money grab. It is no different than stores requiring everyone be carded under the age of 40 for alcohol. You have a wishy washy rule, and people will push and push.

Southwest does state the rule on their web site, so that part of your reply is "a little bit of nonsense".

I don't think that's a valid analogy. Stores basically require that someone needs to appear obviously over 21 or they'll ask for ID. That's the point w/SW. If you bring an 8 month old as a lap baby, an airline employee should be able to look at the baby and know they're under two. I think you'd be hard pressed to find an 8 month old that looks like their over two. I do think airlines can reserve the right to ask for a BC if there's any question the child may be close to two years old, but asking parents of an 8 month old to pay for a seat if they don't have a BC *IS* a money grab.

 

[JimmyBean42]

Nonsense. Southwest clearly states a birth certificate is required for a lap baby, as do all airlines, including American:

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/traveling-children.jsp

It's your responsibility to be informed about your airline's policies.

OP, get the birth certificate. You're going to need it for many other things anyway.

Really? American says nothing about a birth certificate. Here's the spot on lap infants. Not all airlines require, sorry but you are dead wrong.

Infants (under 2 years)
We accept infants as young as 2 days old. However, if you're traveling with an infant less than 7 days old, your physician will be required to fill out a passenger medical form before your flight. (A special assistance coordinator will send the form directly to your physician.) Infants must be accompanied by a person 16 years or older or by the infant's parent (any age) in the same cabin.

• Changing tables are available in the lavatories of all wide-body aircraft.
• Bassinets are available on a first come, first serve basis at the gate for travel only on 777-200, 767-300, 777-300 and 787 aircraft.
• Bassinets are not available in First/business Class cabins.

Seating options for infants:

1. Held by an adult (lap child): A parent or any person 16 years or older may hold the infant in their lap, the infant must be included in the reservation by calling American Airlines reservations. International taxes and percentage of adult fare may apply.
2. In a reserved seat: If your infant will travel in his or her own seat, you must buy a ticket and bring a safety seat approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

 

[JimmyBean42]

It is not at all a money grab. It is no different than stores requiring everyone be carded under the age of 40 for alcohol. You have a wishy washy rule, and people will push and push.

Southwest does state the rule on their web site, so that part of your reply is "a little bit of nonsense".

I completely agree the consumers should read and know the rules, but if you have a 3 month old and they say "sorry they can't sit on your lap without a birth certificate" and then turnaround and say "but if you pay full fare for this additional seat, sure they can sit on your lap", then that is a bit of a money grab. They basically say it's okay if you don't follow this rule as long as you pay for it. I just think common sense should play a part on some of this.

 

[Manda]

I flew once (and only once) with my son as a lap baby when my grandfather passed away and I basically just grabbed the baby and rushed to the airport and bought the next ticket out. Son was an infant. I wasn't questioned on the way out, but when I tried to fly back, it was a mess. I didn't have a ticket for him or a birth certificate and was now 100s of miles from home - by myself, with a baby, grieving. The ticket counter guy at the departing airport was all about enforcing the rule (which he should be, of course), but I was kind of in a heck of a hard spot since SWA sold me the ticket away from home without mentioning that rule or enforcing it. I don't know why they didn't just suggest I buy him a ticket, but they didn't - and I was grieving, crazed Mom, so it didn't occur to me either. The ticket counter guy scolded me like a school child as I stood there crying trying to figure out what to do. Then, after he finally felt he'd made his point, I guess, he pulled out an affidavit I could sign to promise the child was indeed under 2 and that if I was lying, I would be fined $25,000. Or something like that. So, I guess that's an option?

 

[DebbieB]

I remember when Southwest used to have the reality show, parents were shown calling their doctor to have a shot record faxed over. I would check into that.