Survey for ALL who have flown with kids - Did you need kids' birth certificates?

[Barb D]

There's a thread going over on the Family board, but not getting much response. I'd love it if EVERYONE could respond so we can find out if it's an airline-by-airline thing or at the whim of the gate agent or...

When you flew with your kids, did you need their birth certificates?

Please post which airline you flew, when, and whether or not you were asked for their birth certificates.

Also, if you were flying without both parents, did you need a notarized letter from the other parent saying that it was OK to take the kids out of state?

BTW, I called SW to ask them, and she said that we "probably" wouldn't need them. But this is the same airline that said my carseat would "probably" be acceptable.

We've moved recently, and I have no idea where my kids' birth certificates are. I could pay $7 apiece to get new copies at the health department, but I'd rather not if I don't have to!

 

[snoopylovertoo]

I have flown American, United, Southwest and ATA with my son and have never been asked for a birth certificate either before or after he was two years old.
The only time I have heard that you need a notorized letter is if one parent is taking a child to Mexico without the other parent. Then you need a notorized letter or if the child only has one parent due to death or whatever, documentation to that effect.

 

[M&C'sMom]

I've been flying with my kids since they were 4 weeks old and have never been asked. I usually fly Continental and have gone before they were 2 and after and was never asked their age. I once took my DD one month after her second birthday without buying a ticket. I bought a baby looking outfit at Target, carried her on while holding her blanket, and put a pacifier in her mouth. No one asked. However, my neighbor who travels a lot on Southwest didn't have trouble flying out with her unticketed 2.5 year old, but was stopped on the return. She didn't have proof (only an immunization card- they thought she was too old based on those dates)and they made her purchase a one way ticket home before boarding!!

 

[AZKathy]

SWA required a birth certificate when we travelled on them in 1999.

 

[CamColt]

Nope!
We usually go Delta. This trip we are flying US Air. I just got my documents the other day and heres all it says about id... "At this time, a government-issued photo identification is required for all passengers 18 years and older". It says nothing about the kids.

 

[Pete's Mom]

since he was 4 weeks old and have never had a problem. Then when he was about a year old, I watched a special on airline safety. I was amazed at the number of injuries to children because of simple things such a unexpected turbulance, and sudden rapid descent.

The thing that scared me the most was learning that it is airline policy that if a plane is in danger and you must assume crash postion you are told to set your child or infant on the floor in front of you. You cannot hold them. They say that this is safer for the child and passengers.

Well, after confirming this with Delta, I started purchasing a seperate ticket for my son. By law, if your child is under two, all of the airlines have to sell you one at 40% off the price of an adult ticket. I felt much safer knowing that he was in his car seat and buckled into the airline seat. I would have never forgiven myself if something had happened to him.

If you opt not to buy him a ticket, then at least fly at an odd time when the flight will not be fully booked and then you strap him in his own seat. As long as the seat is not taken, the flight attendants do not mind.

 

[Aunt Jo]

We have flown several times on American and Continental with a niece or nephew with a different last name. We have never been asked for any kind of ID. They were ages 4 through 7. However I am taking picture ID for my nephew on our upcoming trip just to be sure. I had read that there is sometimes a problem when the child has a different last name. I also have a notarized letter that allows us to seek medical help if needed so I would show that too. But I'm not taking a copy of his birth certificate.

 

[DMRick]

Airtran in Jan 2000, yes, South West in Jan 2001, yes, and for this trip, (in 3 days), we were told to bring it.
Doris

 

[Pink Flamingo]

We have always flown US Air from Richmond to Orlando with our two young boys. We have never been asked for any type of id.

 

[SeaSpray]

We flew USAir out of Boston to Orlando. My sons are 13 and 10 yrs old, both have different last names than mine, and I was not asked for any ID for them, only DH and I had to show our drivers licenses.
However, as a side note, when we went to Niagara Falls in July, we were crossing over to Canada and I made sure to bring notarized letters from both of my ex-hubands with us, I didnt want any trouble or hassles while crossing an international border.

 

[KathyR]

I flew Delta in Sept '98 (both parents; 2 kids: ages 3 yrs and 15 months at the time) and Nov '00 (just me-the mom; 2 kids: ages 5 and 3 yrs at the time) We did not need a letter from my husband nor was there a need for birth certs on either trip.

I flew Southwest in Feb '01 (Just me-the mom and our 2 kids: ages 5 and 3 at the time) We, again, did not need a letter from my husband and no need for birth certs.

 

[rhw]

Airtran in 98, 99, and 01. No one asked for identification of my two kids. Even took the kids out of the country twice, without my husband, and never needed my notorized letter. This year I bought passports for the kids before our cruise. Just felt better about it. I will carry them around WDW with me this year to prove I can still pay kids price for meals. My 11 year old is taller than me and want to prove I am not lying. If the kids are already in school, wouldn't they have a copy of a birth certificate you could copy? I would not leave home without a notarized letter if the children are young. It would be peace of mind. They don't seem to ask many questions when you are leaving the country, just when you are trying to come back home.

 

[Barb D]

RHW, my kids are homeschooled, and I've never needed their birth certificates for anything. They're in a box in storage, and I'm not sure where! I may spend an hour or so looking, but beyond that I'll just pay to get new ones (and then make sure I know where I put them!)

It sure looks like it's the luck of the draw whether you get asked or not. I'm looking forward to lots more responses!

 

[sha_lyn]

I was asked for ID for DS on Delta. We've only flown 4 x and I can't remember if we were asked every time. I was not asked for any letter when we flew to El Paso to meet DH when he was there on business.

 

[sweetp0618]

I have a 9 yo daughter and we've flown dozens of times and have never been asked for an ID for her. But I do carry a copy of her birth certificate just in case.

 

[Laurajean1014]

My frequent flyer son, has never needed his bc! He has over 12,000 miles with Delta, United and now flying on SWA for first time. No one ever questioned us and he is now 5. He's been traveling since 10 months old!

So, don't worry ~ you will not need them unless traveling out of country and for that we use a passport! Which are great and can be obtained quite easily.

Don't forget to sign your kids up for frequent flyers! Delta's rules are quite easy and do not expire if not used within 3 years......... When my ds is about 8, he'll have enough for a free trip!

 

[TinkerbellRules]

You suggested signing your son up for frequent flyers. Do you have to if they are traveling with you? I've never used FF so I'm not sure how this works. Does everyone you purchase a ticket for have to sign up or do you get credit for all of them?

Thanks!

 

[KellyJ]

We always fly Northwest and have done so about 6 times with the last time being Feb. 2001. We have 3 children ages, 1, 5, and 12... have never been asked for birth certificates or any kind of ID. I will say that they did look closely at my 12 yr old this last time (she's as big as I am) but never said anything. I would never have thought to bring a copy of a BC with me... I wonder what would happen if they needed one and I couldn't produce it... say I'm flying out on a Sunday and the BC is in a safe deposit box at the bank which is closed and we're unable to get a copy? Hypothetically of course

Kelly

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I've flown with my DS (7) at least 10 times and have never been asked for his birth certificate or identification of any kind. We have only flown domestically.

The only time in his life I've been asked for ID for him was when we drove across the border to Canada. Those Canadians are tough!

 

[Beverly Lynn]

FAA and federal law requires some form of identification if you are going international. this is due to kidnappings and custody battles etc. domestic tvl does not require any such paperwork. have no clue why one person needed it for SW. once the child hits 16 they will ask for it but it is not required to have photo id until the ripe age if 18. if you are traveling alone with a child internationally then yes you must get the notarized statement from the other parent to take the child.