What ID do children need to board a plane?

[MickeyP]

In light of the heightened security, what ID do kids need to board a plane within the states?

 

[carebee21]

Kids don't need any ID as long as they're under 18. If they look like their older than 18, just get a state ID to be on the safe side.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/editorial_1029.shtm

If you have a free lap baby, you may also be asked to bring along a birth certificate to prove their age, but this is for the airline, not the TSA.

 

[MickeyP]

Thank you. For some reason, all of a sudden, I got nervous about not having any id for tomorrow.

 

[Mom2m&k]

They don't need ID. I have however had many a TSA agent ask them what their name is very seriously. I'm sure it would have been no bigger but we always give our kids a little pep talk about responding when they are asked questions through security!

 

[DisLis]

Just a warning - seems that many of the airline agents don't realize kids don't need an ID. I had one who was refusing to give my daughter a boarding pass without an ID and I was in full panic mode. I did not know any better. Fortunately, another agent overheard and intervened. No problems with TSA. If you have any problems ask them to get a supervisor right away.

 

[HLAuburn]

Just flew last week with an (almost) 8 year old and a 3 year old. Neither needed ID. In the line for security, I was told my 8 year old had to have her own boarding pass in her hand and they did ask her a few questions: name, age, where she was going.
(The TSA guy had a thick accent which made it kinda difficult for her to understand what he was asking, so it was a little awkward, but she must have passed because they let us through! )

Safe travels!

 

[sk!mom]

Nothing

 

[Junebugwv]

My over-6 foot DS14 has never been asked to show an ID.

 

[tarheel618]

nothing but I always travel with a copy of their birth certificates for a just in case moment

 

[GMU MOM]

nothing but I always travel with a copy of their birth certificates for a just in case moment

I do this too!

 

[lisaross]

Surprisingly NONE!!

In light of the heightened security, what ID do kids need to board a plane within the states?

 

[mommyrosa2]

We too have never had a problem. This year, however, my oldest DD turn 18 while we're at Disney so I have been reminding her over & over again to not forget her license this time just in case she's asked for it on the return. She, on the other hand, keeps telling me that getting left behind at Disney would not be a bad thing ...kids I tell ya!

 

[hawatkins23]

None. They will ask their name and where they are going. I took a birth certificate and never needed it at all.

 

[Lewisc]

An exception...An airline might ask for proof of age if you booked your kids on an age qualified fare including lap baby, youth fare, child fare etc. Generally those fares, obviously excluding lap baby, are higher then the discounted fares most of us are able to grab.

 

[Swimalie]

nothing but I always travel with a copy of their birth certificates for a just in case moment

Same here. I have one that is folded and in an envelope that I use for travel. My son (sadly) goes by his middle name and he's been questioned before as to why the ticket has 2 first names listed so we travel with it to prove that he is the right person.

 

[Happiest mommy]

this year I decided to go to DMV and got my 2 DD's non driver Id's not needed but wanted to have them instead of the Birth cert

 

[drcmk]

My 13 year old was also stopped by security and asked a few questions about her identity (birthdate, name, etc.). This made her really flustered and she almost flubbed it. I was there but I felt like it would look fishy if I talked to her at all, so I just let her flounder. It turned out okay (she looks just like her sister and me so I don't think they'd accuse me of smuggling someone else's kid) but I wish I had prepared her for that.

In the future, I would probably remind my kids that the security officers might ask them a few easy questions about themselves just to make sure that all of the information is correct and that they shouldn't worry about that because the questions are easy and all they have to do is to tell the truth.

 

[stephie1012]

i flew by myself with my 3 kids when the baby was under 2(she had her own seat). I didnt need to show anything for any of them. They did ask the 6 year old her name. And while they had our boarding passes they asked me all 3 kids names.

 

[CatNipRules]

I got my son a state ID card. Why? Well, he's 15 and taller than my DH and I. So, I figured that I would rather be safe than sorry. Plus, it never hurts to have one.

 

[janey99]

All the people who are showing their kids' birth certificates and state issued non driver license ID cards, don't you have passports for your kids?

Just wondering

Jane