What ID does a minor need to fly?

[WDW Poly Princess]

Okay, I know this is probably a really silly question, but I have never traveled with a kid before! My nephew (15) will be going to WDW with us in two weeks, and I'm not sure what kind of ID he needs to fly, since he doesn't have a drivers license yet. Will his school ID work? Or will he need something else?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[HaleyB]

My son used his school id, which had a photo on it. We took his birth certificate with us the first time because we were worried too- but the school ID was enough.

 

[summerrluvv]

Minors aren't required to show ID when flying.

 

[aprilgail2]

I flew with a 5 year old and 15 year old and we did not have to show anything for them.

 

[Barb D]

I wonder if he'd need anything special since you're not his parents.

You can probably get a photo ID for him from your state motor vehicle admin. I know you can in Maryland. Most likely you won't need it, but some 15yos look enough like adults. I had my 6'2" DS14 bring his passport the last time we flew just to avoid hassles.

 

[georgina]

I wonder if he'd need anything special since you're not his parents.

You can probably get a photo ID for him from your state motor vehicle admin. I know you can in Maryland. Most likely you won't need it, but some 15yos look enough like adults. I had my 6'2" DS14 bring his passport the last time we flew just to avoid hassles.

PA will not issue state photo ID's to those under 16 - at least that's what I was told when I asked them about one for DD. Our school doesn't do ID cards either - so she has nothing at this point. I'm going to get her a passport because next year she will probably go to France with her school French group. we have never needed anything for our kids within the US - but not sure if it is not your child.

 

[makinorlando]

I brought my 9 year old nephew back to FL with me from PA last July for a month, and they did not require any identification. His tickets had different names, and such, but there was no questions asked.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Thanks for the info!! His mom will be with us as well, so I won't have to worry about the non-parent thing (How do they handle that, though?).

Sister & nephew are on their way over now to do some trip planning- their very first trip! I can't wait to show them the World!

 

[Nika]

In May my DH and I are taking our DGS to the World. We are flying on Southwest. I called Southwest today because I got to thinking about what identification he would need. He is five years old. They told me that minors do not need any identification. They also said that I did not need anything from his parents giving us permission to take him along. This is the second time I have called and I have talked to two different people and got the same information each time.

Have a great trip!!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Minors aren't required to show ID when flying.

This is true. I work for an airline and when traveling in the US children under 18 are not required to show ID.

 

[Beth76]

I've flown with my son twice and never needed ID. Even when he flew with his grandma, they showed nothing.

I know this doesn't pertain to the OP, but someone else could find it useful. You should be prepared to show a birth certificate for a toddler (close to age 2) who is flying for free as a lap child.

 

[Davids-Coco]

Unless he looks over 16, you should be fine. A school id would probably be good to have with him just in case.

That said, if you look under 16, they don't always ask to see it... on my HONEYMOON, the woman at the metal detectors said that she didn't need to see mine. Serves me right for not wearing makeup at 5 am.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When my dd flew for a school trip to DC, I went and got her a Texas ID card. Not only for "just in case", but we had got her a debit card to use and if she needed to show ID, she would have it.
She didn't have a school ID.

That is interesting...

PA will not issue state photo ID's to those under 16 - at least that's what I was told when I asked them about one for DD.

 

[lsyorke]

Minors don't need ID, but with the way things are going security wise, we decided to all get passports. MUCH more convenient to use when traveling. Well worth the cost.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

what everybody else said.

Technically a 15 year old doesn't need an ID. However when I flew with my 15 year old son last October, he got hassled by the TSA people at Midway in Chicago and in Washington DC. He is over 6 feet tall and probably looks much older to others.

I have a Passport for him, but I never bring it along because I didn't think he needed it and I preferred not to risk losing it. From now on, it goes with us.

From my experience I would recommend a school id and a birth certificate if that is all you have. It might make your life a little easier.

 

[disneychrista]

I got a CA state ID for my kids just in case. My kids were 10 & 12 at the time and they both like the idea of having a "driver license."

 

[simba928]

You do not need any form of ID for minors to fly. If he has a school ID, I would bring it, but if not, don't worry about it.

 

[delilah]

I have one of those cards issued by an organization to help prevent child abduction (I forget which). On the front is my son's picture, my husband and my names, and on the back, his fingerprint. It worked well our last trip, since sometimes he is bashful around strangers, and he is Asian and I am Caucasian.