Traveling with kids- copy or real Birth Certificate?

[lanicastro]

I am flying this Saturday with my 1.5DS and 3.5DS and was wondering- do you bring their real birth certificates, or do you copy them. I have heard that you should have them for security, just in case. I don't want to bring the real ones if I don't have to. What do you bring?

Lynn

 

[spiceycat]

you can get a certificated copy from the county that they were born in - I would bring that.

 

[mommyx2]

I've never brought birth certificates. My kids 10 & 7 have state issued id's I got for them at the dmv.

Just a thought!

 

[golfgal]

You won't need birth certificates at all unless you are leaving the country. A copy should be sufficient if you are staying in the country, you won't even need that. If you are going to Mexico, Canada, or elsewhere out of the US, you will need a certified copy, with the raised seal.

 

[Lewisc]

If your 1.5 year old is a "lap baby" or getting a special infant fare you may need a copy of the birth certificate to qualify.

 

[Kimberle]

I never bring anything. You don't need it until they are 18 for airport security.

 

[missygayle]

I've never taken anything for my son when we travelled, but this year I got him a state issued ID.

He thinks it's cool & I feel better knowing I have something with his name, address & picture on it.

 

[owtrbnks]

We fly 20 - 25 times every year. Kids under 18 don't need any ID unless you are leaving the US.

 

[pjupton]

Kids under 18 don't need any ID unless you are leaving the US.

They do if they are flying as a "lap baby" and look anywhere close to the age of 2.

to the OP, I was planning on bring a photocopy. The only other time we've flown without a seat for them they were only 10 months and we weren't questioned.

 

[Stimpy]

They do if they are flying as a "lap baby" and look anywhere close to the age of 2.

Southwest asked us for a BC for our 13 month old last month. We actually didn't need it. The CSR assumed she was a lap baby, but we had a seat for her already. That was the first time I was every asked for a birth certificate for 1 of my kids.