Flying out of state with kids: need ID?

[girlndocs]

So we're flying cross country via 2 different airlines next month and my MIL told us weeks ago that both the kids would need ID to cross state lines.

Now DH has called the airline counters and gotten a lot of holds, runarounds, etc, but finally they said, no, you only need ID if you look over age 18.

My understanding is that no matter what the airline policy is, if the boarding attendant or head attendant says something it goes -- they're the final arbiters. I've read this several times here about things like carseats, birth certificates for kids under 2 to lap-fly, slings on the flight, etc.

If we don't get the kids ID cards I swear I'll have nightmares every night until the trip, of not being allowed to board and having to go home because we have no frigging ID for them. DH doesnt want to get them because he says it's expense and trouble we don't need.

Have you been asked to provide ID for your kids when crossing state lines? Who is wrong here?

[alegna]

There is no way to get little kids id in many states (TX for one...) short of a passport. Check the airline website. I know that Continental specifically says no id needed for kids. I bet most airlines say that. Print out that page to take with you.

good luck!

-Angela

[4evermom]

I've taken ds on 4 flights in the past three years, the most recent being this spring, all out of state. I don't have, and haven't been asked for, ID for him. The concerns would be trying to pass an older child off as under 2 so as to ride on someone's lap, and abduction, most likely by a non custodial parent. If you don't have a lap rider and are traveling as a family it seems really unlikely that you would be asked for ID. The airlines probably doesn't want to actually have a policy that they don't need IDs just so they can reserve the right to ask for one if the situation seems really strange.

[PadmaMorgana]

I found this on the TSA website "Bring a boarding pass ticket or ticket confirmation such as a printed itinerary as well as a government-issued photo ID. Children under the age of 18 do not require an ID. At some airports only boarding passes will be accepted to enter the passenger checkpoint. "

But you can alway check at the airline website.

[sunnmama]

I've never needed id for dd.....always been told only over 18 need id. As a matter of fact, the last airline had this information on a recording (one of the menu options), so that would make it pretty easy to dispute a boarding attendant!

See if you can find policies for these airlines online. If you can print it out, you would have some "evidence".

[Dragonfly]

I flew US Air last month and was told that I had to bring ds' birth certificate. One of the gate attendants checked it; the other didn't.

Personally, I'd want to be prepared. It would thoroughly suck to go to the airport without ID only to be told that your child needs it.

[girlndocs]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly

Personally, I'd want to be prepared. It would thoroughly suck to go to the airport without ID only to be told that your child needs it.

Yeah, that's what I keep thinking.

Was your kid flying on your lap? When they said you'd need the birth certificate?

[LovemyBoo]

I have flown at least 6 or 7 times with one or both kids and have never needed an ID for them. I never even brought one. The only way I would even consider it is if we were flying with dd in my lap these days. She is starting to look 2, so I'd bring her bc to prevent trouble. But otherwise forget it. You don't need it.

[Dragonfly]

Originally Posted by girlndocs

Yeah, that's what I keep thinking.

Was your kid flying on your lap? When they said you'd need the birth certificate?

No. But they didn't ask me that when I called the airline and they told me I'd need a birth certificate. They said they needed to see it to ensure he's traveling with his parent.

[charmander]

I was asked for a birth certificate to prove that DD was under 2 on her first trip across state lines (She was 8 weeks). I didn't have the birth certificate at the time, but I did carry it on future trips. (A copy will suffice - they don't need the actual birth certificate).

And that is only to prove that your lap child is under 2 and can fly on your lap without having to buy another seat. I have traveled numerous times out of state with DS - age 6 - and they have never asked for ID.

[midstreammama]

quite honestly, I would bring their birth certificates just in case.

I can't be of much help through, the only times we have been flying with children that was out of the country and birth certs. are a must there.

[zipperump-a-zoomum]

I don't think you need them. I've flown a ton with both little dudes, and never been asked. I've enver been asked for birthcerts either, although I do take photocopies just in case.

Actually, my guys have different last names from me, and even when traveling abroad I've had no problems (I mean with their passports). And, my passport is British, and theirs are US. Not that this info is relevant, I just have keyboard diarhea today.
Kaly

[MomBirthmomStepmom]

In the last year, dd and I flew 4 times. Never once was I asked to provide ID for her. I did however pack her birt certificate and SS card in my carry-on just in case, but never needed it.

[girlndocs]

Keyboard diarrhea :LOL :LOL :LOL

[oldcrunchymom]

My kdis have flown dozens of times and they've never been asked for ID. If it makes you feel better, just bring her birth certificate.

[chersolly]

I've always brought DD's birth certificate along just in case. We've only had to show it a few times. Mostly to the Check-In ticket agents but never to the TSA.

[RedWine]

I flew many times cross-country with dd1 when she was 18 months old and under. Not once was I asked for ID. And we were traveling without my husband. We took at least 5 round-trip flights.

However, you DO need a passport for the child if going overseas. We found this out the hard way...Two years ago, we tried to take our 6 month old to Italy. I assumed babies did not need passports. Boy was I wrong! We could not get on the plane, and we had to scramble to get a passport for her within 3 days in order to still go on the trip and keep our delayed reservation. We were able to do it, with much expense and a chunk of time taken away from our vacation.

All that trouble because I didn't research the matter BEFORE we got to the airport. :

If you have the birth certificate, you may as well take it just in case. It does truly suck to be denied a flight because you do not have proper ID.

[Lady Madonna]

I have a copy of DD's birth certificate and a copy of my marriage license that I carry when we travel - especially if we're travelling without DH - because she and I have different last names and I want to be able to prove our relationship if there's a problem. At some point I'll probably get her a passport, just for convenience.

I've only been asked for ID (really, proof of age) for her once - we were flying Southwest Airlines and they wanted proof she was under 2. We didn't have anything with us, but I finally looked at the guy and said "look at her - does she LOOK like she's over 2?" She was only 10 months old at the time, so it was pretty obvious.

Note that if you are travelling out of the country with DC without the other parent, you should have a notarized statement from the other parent saying that they consent to the international travel. This is in addition to a passport or visa.

[wende]

My kids have flown all over the US, both with me or another adult, and alone. THEY have never been asked for ID (except for my 13yo, but that's because she went to Egypt and needed to show her passport). I have been told on many occassions to bring birth certificates, mostly for my 13yo, either to prove that she's old enough to fly w/o a chapperone or to prove that she's actually under 18, I don't really know. Either way, I've never actually been asked to produce the birth certificate once I got to the airport.

So...you don't need ID, but it can't hurt to bring the birth certificate.

[charmander]

Okay, after having just flown to Hawaii and back on 2 different airlines (Alaska and American Airlines) with 2 connecting flights, I just want to report that nobody, not once, asked for a birth certificate or ID for the kids.

I brought the birth certificates, though, just in case.