What kind of documents do I need to fly with the kiddos?

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm going without dh if that matters. Do I just need a copy of their birth certificate? They have never flown before so are really excited about this!

 

[tkhkroberts]

Depends on their ages. The airlines usually ask for birth certificate if they are under 2 and getting free airfare, otherwise you have to prove nothing to get kids on the plane.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Really? Wow. That's a little scary. They are 3, 6 & 7.

 

[kimshmkr]

I have flown many times with my two sons, now 11 and 9, and have never had to provide anything but the ticket.

 

[bellarella]

I always bring either a birth certificate or a passport but have never been asked for anything.

 

[wrldpossibility]

I've flown 2-3x a year since my kids were born, and have never had to show anything. I'd bring a birth cert. if you have it handy for a lap child, but only if he/she is close to 2. If it's a 6-month-old, you won't need to prove age.

The kids will have their own boarding passes (sometimes even the baby) and need to be present with you when you hand those over to be checked by security, etc. I guess if you're the only adult traveling, they will be there for sure, huh. Anyway, it is a bit scary how they don't ask for anything, isn't it?

Oh, and a carrier is a good idea, but remember you'll have to take the baby out of it at all security points and take off/landing. I learned that the hard way when I had my infant fast asleep in his sling, only to be forced out and awakened for take off. I found a stroller easier in airports due to that. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Stepht5]

Really? Wow. That's a little scary. They are 3, 6 & 7.

You will need a notorized statement saying that your dh is letting you travel (with the kids) without him. Call the Airline to ask what they specifically want from you.

I have traveled without dh several times over the last 20 yrs and that is what was required from American Airlines -- the first time our travel agent didn't tell us this and I lucked out that FIL is the one that took us to the airport (we were meeting dh in FL) and dh is a Jr.... so, FIL filled out a form that said I could travel with the kids.

 

[tjmw2727]

You will need a notorized statement saying that your dh is letting you travel (with the kids) without him. Call the Airline to ask what they specifically want from you.

I have traveled without dh several times over the last 20 yrs and that is what was required from American Airlines -- the first time our travel agent didn't tell us this and I lucked out that FIL is the one that took us to the airport (we were meeting dh in FL) and dh is a Jr.... so, FIL filled out a form that said I could travel with the kids.

I travel as many as 6 to 10x a year (Feb, April, July and October this year) alone with my dd's and have for 8 or more years. I travel without my dh and have never had to have permission to fly with my daughters. I have flown on AA, Delta, SWA, Jet Blue and US Airways, maybe others I can't remember.

I am not saying this to aruge with you but to avoid unnecessarily alarming parents who are flying alone with their children.

In addition there is no requirement for ID for children, just pop over to the website for your carrier and check the ID section. Passengers 18 or older must have a photo ID but those under 18 do not need ID.

TJ

 

[all4fun]

I think you only need the notorized statement stating your can travel w/out the other parent if you're traveling internationally. Domestically it isn't an issue. We flew pre and post 9/11 with our BIL's step kids w/out their mom along and never had to show ID or proof that they could be with us. All four children have different last names than us. It is kind of scary that it's so easy to take someone elses child somewhere like that, but that's currently the situation.

In addition, the airlines only usually require a birth certificate if you're traveling with a lap child, to prove that they are under age two. That is because this is an FAA rule and they can get into big trouble if the FAA found out they were allowing children who are past their 2nd birthday to fly on someones lap.

 

[wrldpossibility]

I agree with the previous few posters. I travel at least once a year with the kids and without DH, and have never had to show any documentation. Perhaps this is only for overseas? I guess I'll find out next year when we travel to Ireland alone.

Anyway, don't sweat any of that! Focus on getting all your liquids into your quart sized baggie instead!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

That darn baggie!

I plan on taking copies of the birth certificates, just in case. Just for peace of mind. Other than that, I won't bring anything else.

 

[czycropper]

I just got back from a trip down South with my two DD and didn't have to show anything other than their boarding pass and traveled without my DH. My DH & I have both traveled with the DDs alone including down to the islands and I've never had to "prove" I'm the legal guardian or have permission from my DH (used Continental, AA, Delta).

I know that starting soon (Jan. 2007 I believe) if we go to the islands we're going to need a passport to come back to the US.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Our kids have actual ID cards made. They have a picture, height, weight, birthdate, eye and hair color and even their fingerprint in case they ever were to get lost. Both my husband and I carry one for each child and we show them at the airport along with our own ID's. They aren't official or anything, but the airline employess always appreciate having them. Our daycare offers this service through a group at www.thechildidprogram.com
(I am not affiliated with them!)

 

[akamom]

I always take their birth certificates, just in case.

 

[akamom]

Hi Kelli, I didn't even noticed that it was you!! Are you guys getting excited!!?!?!? You are going to have a blast!

 

[vacation dreamer]

I'm going without dh if that matters. Do I just need a copy of their birth certificate? They have never flown before so are really excited about this!

I fly a lot with my children, with and without my DH. I always carry a copy of their birth certificates. My children also carry their school IDs. Good luck and have fun!

 

[jenseib]

I never carried any info for my older kids too when we have traveled in the past. I wasn't married to my DD's dad ever, and I was never questioned, and she has a different last name than me and my DS did. Now I am remarried, and have a little one ,s oI ahve 3 kids with different last names and when we went over to Canada, no one even questioned us there, I did bring B/c's though, just in case.

 

[Stepht5]

I am not saying this to aruge with you but to avoid unnecessarily alarming parents who are flying alone with their children.

I specifically told her to call her airline to double check. I wasn't trying to *alarm* anyone.

 

[tjmw2727]

I specifically told her to call her airline to double check. I wasn't trying to *alarm* anyone.

Ok - peace! I didn't really mean it that that way, esp the way it sounds when quoted without the rest of the post. I didn't mean you were trying to
"alarm" anyone.

TJ

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Hey Kristina! Totally, totally over the moon excited!!!!