What documents does a child need for air travel?

[mexican-mouseketeers]

My cousin is flying from San Antoni to Orlando with her 4 year old son. She is divorced, but has a good relationship with the father.

What papers does she need to bring for her and for her son? She was thinking about a passport, but I told her she sure doesn´t need that for domestic travel.

TIA

 

[dfarner]

I have 2 dds (5 and almost 1). I always travel w/ their birth certificates.

 

[Ilovefozzie]

I have a DS11 and DD6...the only paperwork we take is the airline tickets. Haven't ever needed anything else.

 

[mamacatnv]

Children do not need ID for domestic flying unless one of those kids is a "lap baby" and you need to prove the child is under 2. I have never carried their birth certificates, they are at home locked up where they are safe.

I have had various TSA agents ask DD her name, our name and how old she is, I think that is just a little bit of a precaution to establish she knows who we are.

DS is 17 and has a DL. When he was 10 I got him DMV issued ID since he was flying to Vegas with me in the early days following 9/11 however it was not required.

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Thanks! She can definetly save the expense of the passports then.

Do you know if she needs something signed by the boy´s father.

TIA

 

[all4fun]

Thanks! She can definetly save the expense of the passports then.

Do you know if she needs something signed by the boy´s father.

TIA

From what I have been told - the only time one parent needs a document stating the other parent can fly with a minor child is when they are leaving the country. It's not needed for domestic travel. And to attest to that, we flew 3 different times with our step-nieces and nephew, ages 8-11 (all had different last names than us) and they were never required to have ID, or show any type of document stating we were their guardians (although we did have letters in case of a medical emergency). All 3 times were after 9/11 if that makes any difference.

hth!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Thanks!

You are big help.