what type of identification is needed for a minor to fly
What ID and Documents Does My Child Need To Wing?
You're getting the family ready to keep your next big vacation. Y'all have taken reward of our How to Observe Cheap Flights guide. You've been dreaming of this trip for months — possibly even years. You've dotted all your i'due south and crossed all your t's. You have your packing list ready to get…
And then, as y'all assemble your and your partner's passports, you lot wonder. Does my child need a passport? Do they need any sort of ID or documentation to fly? What am I missing and will not having an ID for my child ruin our big trip?
But don't worry. In many instances, you don't need anything at all to fly with your kid. However, on the flip side, yep, in some cases, if you lot don't have the proper identification or documentation, your trip could very well be ruined, leaving you and your family unit headed back habitation from the drome in disappointment.
To improve help you avoid this, we've compiled everything you need to know almost the ID and documents your child needs to fly.
Domestic Flights
In most cases, your child won't demand whatsoever extra (or whatever, for that matter) identification when flying domestically. At that place are only a few special instances where you lot might need to bring some sort of documentation forth with y'all. These special instances are ordinarily dictated past age.
Babies (Newborn – 2 Years Old)
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If you lot take a newborn, you'll need to talk to your airline to determine their policies. Well-nigh require some sort of documentation from your newborn's pediatrician, confirming that it's rubber for your baby to wing. Since this documentation can differ by airline, check with them first.
If you have a baby that's non quite a newborn but under 2 (y'all can consider yourself safe if your kid is around a month onetime), then y'all'll want to bring along a copy of your kid's birth document (or a passport, if you take one) if you lot program on flying with your child on your lap. This is but in case the airline tries to question your child's age. And you don't desire them to force yous to pay for an extra seat, only because you can't bear witness that your kid is actually under ii.
Children 2–eighteen Years Quondam
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Once your child is 2 or older, they're no longer eligible to fly in your lap. All the same, that doesn't mean that yous'll need to provide them with any actress documentation to fly domestically. The only time that children under the historic period of eighteen (but older than 2) volition need some sort of ID or documentation is when they'll be flying without a parent.
In those instances, your child will need a signed consent form (which y'all'll usually get from your airline) and sometimes a consent letter. You lot'll want to cheque with your specific airline to verify exactly what'due south required.
As for ID, if your child is ages 5 to 14 and flight lone, they won't need any form of ID, but it is handy to have, just in example. Ship along a copy of some sort of identification. If your child is historic period xv to 17 and traveling lonely, they volition demand a form of identification. This tin can be one of a multifariousness of things, from a school ID to a learner's permit, a passport to a library carte du jour. The requirements for an ID at this age are relatively lax.
Once your child is xviii, they'll need all of the normal identification required for an developed to fly domestically, including a valid photo ID. Brand sure that yous stay upwardly to appointment on the always-evolving REAL ID requirements, for both your older child's and your own upcoming flights. Currently, it'southward expected that all domestic flights will crave a Existent ID to fly, every bit of May 3, 2023.
International Flights
Things are easier when yous start flight internationally. Every person in your group will need a passport to fly to a different country. Every person in your group will need to present this passport upon checking into your flight, going through drome security, and then upon arriving at your destination. Y'all'll as well need to present this passport for every person in your group when returning to the land. This rule fifty-fifty applies to babies. Yes, even if your child is just a few months old. Yes, even if they're not flying in their own seat on the plane. Again — everyone needs a passport. You're getting nowhere without ane.
Special Passport Rules for Infants
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Unfortunately, getting a passport for an infant is easier said than done. You can't merely tell the babe to drop by the drugstore later on work to become a passport photo and then mail it off. There are a lot of rules. For example, the passport awarding has to be completed in person, with both parents present. Yous'll also need to show that you are the parents of the child, via a nascency certificate or adoption or custody decree, as well every bit your IDs. Yous'll need both original IDs and photocopies. Additionally, passports for anyone nether the historic period of xvi elapse later five years, rather than the normal x.
The overall procedure, however, is very similar to what you went through when applying for your very own start passport. It includes filling out the DS-11 form for first-fourth dimension passport applicants. And so, you have to prove your child'due south citizenship via an expired passport, nativity certificate, or certificate of citizenship. You'll need both the original document and a photocopy. Lastly, you'll demand that requisite passport photo.
You can find all the information yous need for passport applications for children under 16 on the U.S. Department of Land website.
Special Rules for Flying Internationally with Just I Parent
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There are some additional rules for flying internationally if your kid will exist flying with but 1 parent. These rules change according to your destination country, too as your airline. Nevertheless, in general, you desire to have a notarized consent form with both parents' signatures. You as well want a copy of the non-traveling parent's ID. In the instance that a parent has sole custody or the non-traveling parent is deceased, you'll need to show either a re-create of your custody agreement (signed) or a copy of the death document (forth with the consent form).
Just what if your child is flight internationally with no parent? In those cases, your child will nonetheless need the passport, but also the notarized consent letter and their nativity certificate.
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
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If you're a frequent traveler, either business or leisure, chances are practiced that y'all use Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. These programs let you lot to quickly make your way through security checkpoints equally you travel.
Global Entry, for example, allows yous to quickly make your way into the United States upon arrival on an international flight, via a kiosk and automated procedure. Applying for Global Entry includes an application process and in-person interview. Read our full Global Entry Program guide if you are not familiar.
TSA PreCheck, on the other hand, allows you to fast-rails your way through TSA checkpoints. There's no demand to remove your shoes, coats, laptops, etcetera. The whole flying process becomes a whole lot easier, especially for families. Have yous ever tried to get a toddler through a security checkpoint? It'southward not like shooting fish in a barrel. Similar Global Entry, applying for TSA PreCheck does require you to submit an online application. Y'all also do have to schedule an in-person interview. Read our full TSA PreCheck guide if you are not familiar.
If you have been enrolled in either one of these programs, you may assume that your status — specially if both parents in your party take status — automatically applies to your children. Yet, that'due south not always the case. Encounter when your condition does roll over to your kids.
When Does Status Roll Over?
Global Entry condition does not roll over to your children. However, your child can apply for Global Entry membership, as there's no minimum age requirement. Children are required to get through the same process every bit their parents, including the application, fee, and in-person interview. The only special requirement is that, if your child is under the age of 18, you lot do have to be present for their in-person interview. You besides practise have to requite your parental consent earlier they join the plan.
For TSA PreCheck, however, children 12 and under receive the same benefits as their parent(s). Information technology is automatic as long as they're traveling with that parent. Children thirteen to 17 can have advantage of their parents' TSA PreCheck status but if they're traveling on the same reservation as their eligible parent and only if the child has the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding laissez passer. In all instances, for your status to utilize to your child, regardless of age, you must be traveling with them. Children flying lonely or children over 17 must apply for their ain TSA PreCheck status to be eligible.
Flying With Your Child Probable Isn't as Hard as You Think
Flight with your child isn't always a walk in the park. Having the right documentation and identification on hand will give you one less matter to worry well-nigh. The skillful news is, gathering all that documentation and identification is likely a lot easier than y'all first assumed, especially if you're flying domestically. And, if you're flying internationally, one time yous have that first passport obtained, you're mostly finished.
So, go alee and plan that big family trip and outset planning to have your child's required ID and documentation ready. With the info in a higher place, y'all're well-equipped to make sure they have everything they demand.
FAQ
Exercise I need whatsoever documentation or an ID for my baby to fly domestically?
Newborns need a special letter from their doctor; cheque with your airline to get the specifics. Children under ii will need a copy of their birth certificate if y'all plan to fly with them on your lap.
Do I need any documentation or an ID for my child to fly domestically?
If you are flight with your child, no extra documentation or ID is required. If y'all are not flying with your kid, they will need a form of ID merely if they're between the ages of 15 and 17.
Practise I need whatsoever documentation or an ID for my child to fly internationally?
Aye, all passengers, regardless of age, are required to have a passport to fly internationally.
Do I need any extra documentation if I'm flying internationally with my child every bit a solo parent?
Yes, flying solo with your kid (internationally) requires extra documentation. This includes a notarized consent form with both parents' signatures, besides every bit a copy of the not-traveling parent'south ID. A custody agreement or death document is also required if the other parent does not agree custody or is deceased.
Does my Global Entry status apply to my child?
No. Your kid will need their own Global Entry membership.
Does my TSA PreCheck status utilize to my child?
Yes, if your child is under 12 and traveling with you. Children 13–17 must be traveling with yous, on the same reservation, and accept the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass for your status to apply.
How practice I become a passport for my child?
Yous'll need to fill out Class DS-11 on behalf of your child. Don't sign it until you take it in to the credence agent. You also demand to provide citizenship bear witness (and a photocopy), parental human relationship evidence, and a photo of your child. After acquiring all of the necessary materials, you tin accept them to the passport acceptance facility nearest you. Typically this will be a mail service office, county clerk's role, etcetera. Both parents should announced in person to apply for the passport. Both should bring IDs and photocopies of their IDs.
Source: https://thevacationer.com/what-id-and-documents-does-my-child-need-to-fly/
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