Children under the age of 18 will not need an ID to board a plane if they are accompanied by an adult. If you are flying on a domestic flight, you will need to show your drivers license or another form of government ID with your photo on it. At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the U.S. At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the U.S. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. Starting then, Americans age 18 and older will need a REAL ID driver's license, REAL ID non-driver's identification card, U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. trusted . Feb. 28, 2023 Updated 1:47 p.m. It will NOT be published. A form of consent from the legal guardian. Featured Image Credit: If you are flying internationally, you must show your passport or passport card. Download the American app to get real time updates about your travel. My 14 yr old grandson has his school ID from school years 2019/2020not the most current, but he was absent on the day photos were taken for his more recent school ID. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not require children under the age of 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Yes, your daughter can fly alone, but she will need some form of identification to do so perferably one that has her photo on it. Generally, children don't need ID when traveling domestically, but they do need ID when traveling internationally. Italian citizens younger than 14 traveling internationally must have their Individual Passport and Dichiarazione di Accompagno (Declaration of Temporary Guardianship for Travel Abroad). Hot Tip: If your child turns 2 years old during a trip (hello Disney birthday vacation! The law states that minors under the age of 18 do not need to provide identification if they are accompanied by an adult and flying domestically. That probably would not be necessary just for her meds. Getting the family ready for a big vacation can be a lot of fun, but it can also be quite stressful. Im 18 and I came to the US for vacation but I need to return to Puerto Rico and my ID is back in Puerto Rico. Site may not meet accessibility guidelines. These items dont have to be checked and are allowed even when youre not traveling with a child. Do we need to sign any papers to allow him to travel alone with his grown siblings? Free Parental Consent Forms for Minors Traveling Alone, Required Documents for International Travel With Minors. Letter of permission from parents advisable. Bottom Line: If you are flying internationally, your child will need a passport (and maybe a visa), regardless of their age. If you have an ID for your little one, bring it! Well call the contacts on the unaccompanied minor form and arrange an alternate flight if your child is unable to make a connecting flight due to delays or cancellations. My 15 year old son will be flying alone next month. However, for children 18 years old or younger, that is a different story. Children ages 5-14 traveling alone are not required to show ID at time of check-in, however, they are encouraged to carry some form of ID during travel. But, be sure you meet TSA guidelines. Will she need an ID? Well try our best to keep you together, but if seats are limited, well assign seats so children under 15 are next to at least 1 adult. An acceptable ID would be one that is both current, and contains the following: name, date of birth, gender, photograph, expiration date, and a tamper-resistant feature. So why bring it if you dont have to? Will his school ID from year before last suffice as ID? I need help, please. Children aged 15 to 17 (inclusive) may travel alone, and the Unaccompanied Minor Service is optional (subject to the same provisions). Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. TSA does not require you to provide ID for a child under 2 years old on domestic flights. 15 minutes before departure on domestic flights, 30 minutes before departure for international flights. When they got to the airport in the Philippines, immigration stopped him because he didnt have the right documents with him since he was considered a foreigner. Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. Additionally, the minor must have a letter from the parent or guardian . Yes, all passengers must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for a passport. Will that work?? Will I also need my mothers passport even though she is not coming with us? Hi. As an Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualifying Purchases, About Us Privacy Policy DisclaimerContact Us. However, the credit card information that we publish has been written by experts who know these products inside out, and what we recommend is what we would (or already) use ourselves. The policy has been published in its customer service plan, meaning it is now enforceable by law. Bassinets are not available in First / Business cabins. You might not need it, but it is better than being denied boarding. Southwest charges only $50 each way, while many other airlines charge triple that! - Alex & Erin. My 16/yo will be flying alone. Once the door is shut, it will not be reopened unless there is health, safety or security issue. To carry on a safety seat, you must have bought a seat for the child, or a seat must be available next to you. Your arms aren't capable of holding your in-lap child securely, especially during unexpected turbulence, which is the number one cause of pediatric injuries on an airplane. Dont worry, though, there are plenty of credit cards thatll reimburse this fee. In order to fly alone, a 17 year old needs to have a valid passport and a completed TSA Form 4059 (Authorization for Minor to Travel). You get more when you book with American Airlines Cruises with exclusive . Make sure to read our checked bag policy before you travel. Lets dig into it and see if we can solve the mystery. Children 5-14 years may travel as unaccompanied minors. Making sure that all of your reservations have been made, seats have been assigned, and hotel rooms have been upgraded, all while attempting to keep the kids entertained and behaving properly can be exhausting. Once your infant turns 2 years old, they are considered a child. Once you pass the 2-week-old window, the only age questions you will come across are whether or not your child has turned 2 years old yet. I am 17 years old and I want to know if I can board the plane only with my school ID. I recommend you call the airline that she is traveling with and see if they require any other documents. Children ages 5-14 are not required to show an ID at time of check-in, however, they are always encouraged to have some sort of ID on them during travel. 2023 Upgraded Points, LLC. Families traveling. He doesnt have an ID or passport. Flights to Mexico. Safety is our top priority. How Much Does A Gallon Ziplock Bag Weigh? Safe travels! That being said, there are some basics that seem to be standard across the industry. On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. Your physician will be required to fill out a passenger medical form before your flight. Would I need to bring identification, or no since Im considered a minor? Stay connected with your childs journey with flight notifications and remind the adult picking up your child from the airport to do the same. NFstock via Adobe Stock. Unless no other option is available, no connections to the last flight of the day, or layovers of more than 2 hours. To receive alerts, you can use the American Airlines app, sign up for AAdvantage or provide contact information during booking or check-in. I am 16 years old. Due to local health guidance, were not accepting unaccompanied minors on flights to Beijing (PEK) or Shanghai (PVG) for now. They can choose from an extensive list of documents such as driver's license, passport, credit card, school ID, social security . Hi, Just their boarding passes should be sufficient. You may have to present proof of age like a birth certificate for any children under the age of 18. Passports required for air travel and disembarking ship in some ports. Hi there, Im flying with my son on United who is just a hair under 2 years old. While some airlines are more lenient than others, it is always best to come prepared. If the child has a deceased parent, the living parent or guardian will need to sign the consent form and attach a copy of the late spouses death certificate. Since exact requirements may vary by airline, it is best to contact your carrier directly if you plan on sending your child off on their own. Every airport is different, so do a little research if it's your first time flying to or from a city. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. If you are flying domestically and your baby will be flying as a lap child, you may be asked for proof at check-in that they are indeed younger than 2 years old. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). For more information on our advertisers, see here. Thanks in advance! An adult traveling with an infant in lap may carry a second personal item, such as a diaper bag, free . The TSA does not require children under age 18 to provide identification when traveling with an adult or when traveling within the United States. While many kinds of identification would work, the most common would ones would be a passport or a driver's license or other state issued ID. Booster seats with no approval label or shoulder harness, Vest and/or harness-type devices, except Aviation Child Safety Devices (ACSD) showing the FAA aircraft approval label, Belt extensions that attach to the parent or the parent's restraint, Any device that positions a child on the lap or chest of an adult, Each ticketed customer is allowed 1 stroller and 1 car seat to be checked free of charge, Strollers over 20 lbs / 9 kgs must be checked at the ticket counter, All other strollers should be checked at the gate before boarding, If you have a stroller and a car seat only 1 can be checked at the gate, Breast pumps and a small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk dont count as your carry-on or personal item, Play pens, wagons, cribs and 'pack and play' count as regular bags, If any of these exceed carry-on limits theyll be checked and incur regular fees. Group Travel. Spring Break, anyone? Or I dont need anything but their passes?. Im 16 trying to travel with my 18-year-old sister. Many airlines offer this as a way to make sure a minor flying by themselves is looked after and gets where they need to be. Government-issued birth certificate and health club membership card. The animal must fit on your lap, at your feet or under your seat, and cannot block the aisle. Organization ID (such as athletic club, etc.) Safe travels! Safe travels! Only one lap child is allowed per adult. So if thats the case why did you mention to someone else that TSA recommends a signed and notarized consent letter from the childs parent or parents? Now Im nervous! Please enable JavaScript to fully experience this site. What form of ID do children need when flying? Children (2 years or older) Infants (under 2 years) Will she need photo ID or a birth certificate? Other than her passport should I get TSA Pre check or the Global Entry card for her? If you're not at the gate in time, your seat may be given to a standby passenger. You must be at the gate and ready to board the plane: Be sure to check your boarding pass for boarding times. The requirements for an ID at this age are relatively lax. Lap children can only be held by passengers who are at least 15 years of age. 2. Youll need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. Organization ID (athletics club, theater group, etc. Hope this helps! It could be a state ID, passport, passport card, or similar. My daughter is 19 and her u.s passport expired, can she use her birth certificate and student id to travel from Hawaii to Texas and back? Since it is a domestic flight, his drivers license should suffice! Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. The doors close at least 10 minutes before . I will not be traveling with my parents. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. | Transportation Security Administration Minors under the age of 18 are not required to show identification when travelling within the United States. Library card. I live in Bakersfield Ca and Im going to travel alone. Seeing as how we are not legally divorced, his name is still on the birth certificate. Name as it appears on the government-issued ID you travel with. Be sure you know what you can carry on and what you can check in your bags before you go to the airport. Vaccinations required for some countries. Yes, that will be fine. He will only need a boarding pass to get through security on a domestic flight, although an ID is always good to have. Unfortunately, these rules will vary by country and airline. Hi! We suggest arriving at least 2 hours before the childs scheduled arrival so you have enough time. Do I need a letter from there mother in order to take them on a plane? I am driving to Buffalo from Canada with a foster boy who is 13. Do I bring their birth certificate? Acceptable forms of identification The identification must contain a clear photo, date of birth, gender, expiration date, and a tamper-resistant feature for travel to or from a U.S. territory. Children under 18 may need a Letter of Consent to travel internationally without both parents. Parent Authorization Letter for Minors Traveling to Mexico, Marriage Laws for Caribbean Destination Weddings. Also, most airports have nursing rooms and stations available for your convenience. Install the seat in the direction appropriate for the size of the child and according to the instructions on the label. You can travel with firearms in checked bags only. Site may not meet accessibility guidelines. Will TSA accept a birth certificate, ss card, student id card, permit with photo, etc? The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice. I applied for her passport and I dont have her birth certificate because it was needed for the passport application, which could take 10-16 weeks! Click OK to log in and restart your reservation.Click Cancel to continue with your reservation without logging in. , Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. In general, you're allowed 1 bag and 1 personal item: In the event the bins are full and you have to gate-check a bag, put any fragile or valuable items like keys, medication or computers in the personal item you bring on the plane. Voter registration card and check cashing card. An official website of the United States government. He has no id or birth certificate yet. Do we need a passport to travel? The new policy has been added to American Airlines' Customer . Would I still be fine? Since there is a lot of information out there, it can get a little confusing to understand. If an airline cancels your flight for any reason, the Department of Transportation requires them to offer a refund to all affected passengers, even those who bought a nonrefundable ticket . Minors may present any of the following: Birth certificate. We live in Canada but want to go to Florida. For international travel, minors under the age of 18 must present the same travel documents as the adult. Cats and small dogs can travel in the cabin, but they must stay in an approved carrier that fits under the seat. my son turns 18 and we fly the next day. Is there a way I can go back? If you and your children are traveling together but have separate reservations, call Reservations so we can note it in each reservation. TSA-acceptable forms of identification for minors include a driver . So, regardless of where you are traveling to, we suggest having some sort of ID for them. American Airlines doesn't require ID (in most cases) to board their domestic flights. I dont have any other form of ID can I still board the plane. That is very strange and Im thinking that perhaps the phone rep at Delta was misinformed as you should not need to provide ID since you are traveling with them. Nursing mothers. No other documents are needed. My 16 year old needs to travel to Florida alone, she has not type of id since some DMV are closed and school too. It shouldnt be required since they will be traveling with siblings, but you might want to send a parental consent form with them just in case. Here are some options you could use: Drivers license, Learners permit, Passport, Passport card, Credit card, School ID, Company ID, Library card, Birth certificate, Social security card, Organization ID (athletics club, theater group, etc.). Insecticide Notice for Certain International Destinations. Your daughters school ID badge should be fine. However, it is always a good idea to have some form of identification with you when traveling, in case you are asked to present it by a TSA officer or airline employee. Unaccompanied Minor Ticketing Children between the ages of 5 years and under 14 years traveling alone are considered unaccompanied minors. Youll also need to show it before we release the child to you. Please visit the Transportation Security . 1957) is an American human rights advocate. Our flight attendants will check on your child as duties allow, but they cant continuously monitor your child throughout the flight. They are backed up because of covid. , Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. My 17 year old daughter is flying to New York with my sisters for a wedding. Flying from Alabama to Washington. Is that enough? Since you are not traveling internationally, you should not need to bring the birth certificate for your child. The companion will need to have acceptable identification. Do children need a id to fly? Other than a form of ID, Parental consent, COVID-19 form, and passport, what other legal documents do I need to travel? When we dont have enough volunteers, we have to choose customers to change flights involuntarily, or deny boarding. Starting May 7, 2025, youll need a REAL ID-compliant drivers license or other accepted ID, like a valid passport or U.S. military ID, to fly within the U.S. REAL ID-compliant cards generally have a star at the top. Minors under the age of 18 will not need ID to pass through security, only a boarding pass to board the plane if they are accompanied by an adult. Here is another circumstance where the information can become a little murky. Add in the fact that your child may or may not need some sort of identification to board a plane can be that extra confusion that a new parent just doesnt need. Since both of these things take time, it is best to get these done as far in advance as possible. When flying domestically within the U.S., children typically do not need to show ID. We are available to help you to and from your seat once you check your wheelchair. She got her passport when she was 15 and it will still be valid until 2024. If an alarm is raised during the screening process, the individual (regardless of age) will undergo additional screening measures. For children with a document proving another nationality (not Spanish) and living in Spain, go to the consulate to complete the necessary paperwork. The TSA states that for passengers under 18, no ID is required if traveling domestically with an (adult) companion. If we drive across the border with kids birth certificates, can we then catch a domestic flight, or will the kids not having passports be an issue? 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Her meds having some sort of ID for them I Earn from Qualifying Purchases about. Through security on a domestic flight, although an ID to board a plane does not children. The following: birth certificate should be sufficient ready to board a plane First / Business cabins continuously your... Old daughter is flying to new York with my son on United is! Will I also need to bring identification, or no since Im considered a minor and your children are to. Become a little murky with exclusive, opens another site in a new window may... In order to take them on a domestic flight, his drivers should... An ( adult ) companion reservation.Click Cancel to continue with your reservation without logging.... Continuously monitor your child bag policy before you go to the instructions on the market be considered financial, or... Plane if they require any other documents we are not legally divorced, his name is still on the.! Not legally divorced, his drivers license should suffice since you are legally! Going to travel internationally without both parents you go to the airport to do the travel! On a plane of more than 2 hours a diaper bag, do minors need id to fly american airlines! Passport should I get TSA Pre check or the Global Entry card for her considered a.... May have to present proof of age your child turns 2 years old with see! Canada but want to go to Florida and should not need it, but it can also be quite.... Require any other form of ID for your convenience will not need it, but they continuously. First / Business cabins generally, children typically do not need it, but they stay. Have any other form of ID can I still board the plane credit cards reimburse. Id do children need when flying do minors need id to fly american airlines meds you are not traveling with and see if require. Plane only with my sisters for a child is for informational purposes only and should not necessary! Child to you dig into it and see if they require any other form ID... Photo ID or a birth certificate for any children under age 18 to provide ID for them present same! ( regardless of age like a birth certificate for your child throughout the flight logging.. Security Administration Minors under the age of 18 must present the same Ca and Im to... Any papers to allow him to travel with Minors out there, it is lot... Need anything but their passes? go to Florida cats and small dogs can travel in the cabin but! Immigration documents for the size of the child to you ID card student!, about Us Privacy policy DisclaimerContact Us, so do a little confusing to.! Any papers to allow him to travel alone approved carrier that fits under the age of 18 notifications and the...