Will my child need a passport for a flight not leaving the US?

[Applemomma]

Hi Folks....I'll ask this in the Canadian forum but want to get as many answers as possible.

I know my child won't need a passport yet to drive across the border (we did this in August; she's still under 15) but have the rules changed for air travel for flights that stay within the US? I'm thinking of a quick trip to see a friend in Tampa and the way airline prices out of Halifax are, it makes so much more financial sense to make a run for the border and fly out of Portland. I don't mind the drive...done it before. However, with the time line I'm toying with I don't think I could get a passport for her in time, though I'll apply anyway. She has a photo id, which the border guard when we drive across in August thought was a "neat idea" .

Any thoughts?

 

[rflorek]

This was found on the U.S. State Dept. site regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (if you & your daughter were flying from Canada, she will need a passport. Crossing by land, since she's still under 16, she would need to show her birth certificate to cross the border - see my bolding below):


"Documents You Will Need to Enter the United States

(08/21/2009)All persons including citizens of the United States traveling by air between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda will have to present a passport, Merchant Mariner Document (presented by U.S. citizen merchant mariners traveling on official business) or NEXUS Card, NEXUS enrollment is limited to citizens of the United States and Canada, and lawful permanent residents of the United States and Canada. Children will be required to present their own passport.

Beginning June 1, 2009, ages 16 and older will be required to present documents from one of the options below when entering the United States at land or sea ports of entry. Children under may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. One of the following documents may be presented to prove both identity and citizenship:



U.S. Passport;
U.S. Passport Card;*
Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST);*
State issued Enhanced Driver’s License (when available this secure driver’s license will denote identity and citizenship);*
Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available);*
U.S. Military identification with Military Travel Orders;
U.S. Merchant Marine document;
Form I-872 American Indian Card.

 

[Hannathy]

Children do not need ID to fly in the US. So as long as the flight originates and lands in the US I wouldn't know why she would need it. They don't need ID to go thru airport security either so how would they know if she were Canadian or not?

 

[Applemomma]

Thanks for your replies! That's what I thought .... just needed backup

 

[Tiggs14]

You will need her birth certificate to cross the border by land but won't need anything to fly from the US with her. You'll be fine with her birth certificate and either a passport or enhanced drivers license for you.

We just did this two weeks ago with our two young boys.