Children aged 5 to 14 (inclusive) may travel alone and are considered Unaccompanied Minors. When infants travel internationally, they may have to pay taxes and fees that are applicable. If youre a family traveling with children under 15, and do not already have seats assigned, our system will search for seats together automatically before the day of departure. 30 minutes before departure for international flights. We are both considered minors. We are from Chicago and will be traveling to California in the summer with my Fianc and my 12 yr and 8 yr old, do I need a photo ID for my kids, or their dads permission form to travel without the dad? You must show that the name on your boarding pass matches the legal name on your unexpired government-issued ID. The TSA Secure Flight program requires us to collect this information when you book including the: We may cancel your trip if we don't have this information at least 72 hours before departure. Our flight attendants will check on your child as duties allow, but they cant continuously monitor your child throughout the flight. 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. Families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate. Know of any changes, weather events and other important updates before you leave home. If a minor does not have a valid form of identification when traveling, they may be subject to additional screening at the airport, and may even be denied boarding altogether. Children ages 5 to 14 are not required to show an ID at the time of check-in, however, they are always encouraged to have some sort of ID on them during travel. Keep in mind, AAdvantage Web Special awards can only be booked online, but if you call an agent can help find another award. Would my grandson be able to fly with him? He was traveling with his grandmother, and I, the parent, had gotten a notarized travel consent for them to bring. However, it's a good policy to bring the child's birth certificate. Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines, Link opens in new window. My question is, do my 12 year old child can travel with his siblings? Company ID. Every airport is different, so do a little research if it's your first time flying to or from a city. 15 minutes before departure on domestic flights, 30 minutes before departure for international flights. Approval from your physician and a special assistance coordinator is required. Do you know what airline he will be flying back to the US with? Service animals are welcome at no charge if they meet the requirements. 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 . Since you actually purchased a ticket for your son, and he is not flying free as a lap child, then you should not need to prove his age. For more information on our advertisers, see here. Children traveling alone cant check in online or at the kiosk. It is best to contact Delta to clarify. If you are flying internationally, you will need to show your passport or passport card. Im 15 and Im going to travel to aurora colorado. With young children, it can be hard to keep track of everything they need. Tell a flight attendant if he or she needs assistance or feels discomfort. Safe travels! Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility requirements. My 16 yr old granddaughter is special needs and has her current school ID only as ID. My new idea is to drive over the LAND border with Birth Certificates for the kids (adults do have valid passports). Now Im nervous! All of this changed on 9/11 with the hijacking . When this happens, our team gets involved as early as possible to find volunteers to change flights in exchange for compensation. If your child has a connection, we have lounges for unaccompanied minors in these airports: While there, your child can wait for their connection and play games while supervised by American business partner personnel. My daughter is traveling to Florida from South Carolina with her 4 yr old daughter. See our Advertiser Disclosurefor more details. You can use a birth certificate here, and you should expect to be asked to show your own photo ID at the gate. He lives with me full time and has no relationship with his Dad but the court order says 50/50. Or is he driving license enough identification? Children under 2 years of age do not need to complete an attestation. Unaccompanied Minor Ticketing Children between the ages of 5 years and under 14 years traveling alone are considered unaccompanied minors. This bonus value is an estimated valuation. Southwest charges only $50 each way, while many other airlines charge triple that! Passports required for air travel and disembarking ship in some ports. If your due date is within 4 weeks of your flight, you must provide a doctors certificate stating that youve been recently examined and youre fit to fly. Could my five year old fly with me in the states, with just her birth certificate? Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. AA.com. Brazilian National Council of Justice (CNJ) guidelines 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. You must be at the gate and ready to board the plane: Be sure to check your boarding pass for boarding times. Need a receipt for an onboard purchase or to request a refund? Emotional support animals require specific documentation; please review the requirements before travel. Hi there, Im flying with my son on United who is just a hair under 2 years old. We are having passport issues. Foreigners must present a valid and original photo ID (photocopied and digital documents are not accepted) Passport. At check-in, parents / guardians will also need to provide: Once your child is checked in, the ticket agent will give you a security pass from the airport ticket counter so you can take your child to the gate. This is even before you leave the house. ET. ), you will be required to pay for a full-priced ticket. For more information on what other types of identification are acceptable, please visit the TSA website. Youll need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. 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? It depends. Did you ever get an answer? However, for children under the age of 18, that is a different story. Children under the age of 2 may ride on a parent's lap without purchasing a ticket, but the airline will require identification, such as a birth certificate, to prove the child's . And finally, our crewmembers are here to ensure a safe and pleasant flying experience for you and everyone onboard your flight. They can get an ID card from the state, a REAL ID compliant license or ID card, or a passport. Spanish authorities require that all Spanish children traveling alone, with only one parent or with a third party have a travel permit requested by the parents or legal guardians. Wheelchairs can be gate-checked and picked up after your flight at the gate, free of charge. Thank you. Terms apply to offers below. Children under the age of 18 will not need an ID to board a plane if they are accompanied by an adult. If a child is traveling with an adult who is not their legal guardian, both the parents need to sign the consent letter. 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.). We leave in six weeks, everything is paid and I cant get reimbursed. There are other rules that apply. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice. The system will search for seats together automatically before the day of departure. I will be traveling to San Diego with my younger siblings who are 4 and 7. Thanks. We offer early boarding to customers who need special assistance or more time to board, along with families with children under 2 years who ask to board early. Thank you for choosing American for your travel needs. Well, we are here to lay it all out clearly for you and let you know exactly what you need to fly with your kids! This includes family trips when a child flies . Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. It is seeming like with the pandemic, there was an extra form was needed called a WEG that was needed for him to enter the Philippines. It is a domestic flight. Thank you! 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. More information in the above article. Most airlines state that children under the age of 18 do not need an ID with them when flying with adults (people 18 and above). Will she need one to travel? Depending on the airline and the country you will be flying to (and potentially back from), the requirements may be different. But generally speaking, anyone under the age of 17 who is flying alone on an international flight may be required to produce a signed letter of consent from a parent or guardian. Children under 18 don't need an ID to fly domestically but do need a passport for international flights. Yes, minors 13 years of age and older are subject to the same TSA screening procedures as adults. This includes having their accessible property (e.g. Even if it isnt a big vacation, sometimes just the thought of putting your little ones on a plane can bring anxiety. 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. 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. Since this can vary by airline, it is best to contact your carrier before you travel. You get more when you book with American Airlines Cruises with exclusive . If you plan on traveling internationally with your child, and both parents will not be traveling together, you will need to provide some additional permission forms. In most circumstances, children under the age of 18 will not need a photo ID to board a plane if they are accompanied by an adult. He does not have any ID yet, On domestic flights, children under the age of 18 will not need a photo ID to board a plane if they are accompanied by an adult. Now, grab your little traveler and start exploring this crazy world! TSA-acceptable forms of identification for minors include a drivers license, passport, or state-issued ID card. His dad will also be traveling with us but we have legal custody of him. Can she also travel domestically with her birth certificate, because the passport renewal process is too long and our trip will be soon. He has no proof that he is the father either. 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. Do we need a passport to travel? The airline will accept the identification of the adult the kid is traveling with, which will be used on their behalf. So in that case, they are required to have consent from the legal parent or guardian in order to travel alone with the child. Again, this varies from airline to airline, so verify if minors need ID to fly with the . Do we need to sign any papers to allow him to travel alone with his grown siblings? They likely will need a child travel consent form and some sort of identification, but again these can vary from airline to airline. If youre flying internationally with an infant on your lap, well issue the infant a ticket. For more information on our advertisers, see here. Im 16 trying to travel with my 18-year-old sister. Enter your information on the Passenger details page, Youre traveling with an infant who is less than 7 days old, Youre not traveling within the U.S., and Puerto Rico. Once the door is shut, it will not be reopened unless there is health, safety or security issue. Since no adult will be accompanying them, what kind of ID will they need and will they need to have any letter or documentation from me in order to board the flight. We are flying from Buffalo to Orlando. We board in groups; check your boarding pass for your boarding group. To make traveling with minors smoother, pack light, arrive early, check your stroller and car seat, buy a travel pillow and blanket, dress your child in comfortable clothing, and prepare for delays. Delta and American Airlines, for example, only allow children 15 and older to travel alone domestically without their unaccompanied minor . Proof of auto insurance in passenger's name. A refundable ticket allows you to change or cancel your flight without a fee. Organization ID (such as athletic club, etc.) Attach an ID card and contact information to your childs carry-on bag or jacket. 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. will he be able to get through TSA without one of the official required ID cards? For children with a document proving another nationality (not Spanish) and living in Spain, go to the consulate to complete the necessary paperwork. An adult traveling with an infant in lap may carry a second personal item, such as a diaper bag, free . I have 50 percent custody of my kids. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. If you will not be with an adult, a school ID is often acceptable, but it would be best to contact the airline directly. Does your child need some form of identification to board a plane? The TSA states that for passengers under 18, no ID is required if traveling domestically with an (adult) companion. The infant must either travel in a safety seat approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or be able to sit upright in their seat without assistance and have their seatbelt securely fastened during taxi, takeoff, landing and whenever the 'fasten seatbelt' sign is on. Hawaiian Airlines. Or else they can also opt for their own seats. Seats and restraint devices not approved for use, Link opens in new window. We don't transport hazardous materials, except for small amounts of dry ice. The companion will need acceptable identification. When I took my boys to Disneyland last year they said I really didnt need the signed forms from their Dad especially because they where old enough to tell someone if they didnt want to be with me. If you are 18 years of age or older, you are required to show a valid U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto your flight. Child Travel Consent. 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). Spirit Airlines COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information Center. - Alex & Erin. If you and your children are traveling together but have separate reservations, call Reservations so we can note it in each reservation. The farther in advance you book, the better. Whether your child has traveled alone or this is their first time, we recommend talking with them about the trip and what to expect. We really appreciate it! Yes, this should still be the case as of October 1st, 2020. We are flying in a week, domestic, with Delta and when I called the airline to ask, they said my kids (ages 2 and 4) would need their birth certificates. Hello!! If this is an international flight then she will have to have her passport with her in order to fly so if it does not arrive in time then unfortunately you will need to cancel your flight. What You Need to Know About Visiting Canada From the U.S. Have TSA Precheck? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not require children under the age of 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Wait for a uniformed team member to escort them off the airplane once it arrives at the gate. TravelPander.Com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Thats all he has. My husband and I are planning to travel to Florida with our daughter and my younger sister who is 13 years old. The TSA does not require children under age 18 to provide identification when traveling with an adult or when traveling within the United States. The safety seat can't be used in an exit row or in the rows on either side of an exit row; window seats are preferred. That being said, there are some basics that seem to be standard across the industry. You may have to present proof of age like a birth certificate for any children under the age of 18. What other documents do I need to bring? My daughter is 16 and she is traveling to Ukraine (she has citizenship in the Ukraine) and she is traveling with a 19-year-old, does she need any permission from the parents? Bassinets are not available in First / Business cabins. 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. What will my 17 year old high school student need to travel on a domestic flight for a school trip? Your physician will be required to fill out a passenger medical form before your flight. Passport. 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. TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone. Does this apply to non-US-citizens? 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. Follow plane safety instructions, like wearing their seatbelt. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won't be accepted as proof of identity in order to board commercial aircraft. Two pieces of ID (no photos required), one of which is non-expired government-issued, such as: Social Security card and credit card. We dont allow children to travel alone when their trips include: Note: Children ages 2 14 can travel as an 'accompanied minor' with someone 16 or older. The letter should leave space for you and the parents to sign followed by the date. Will he need any documentation? A form of consent from the legal guardian. Flying with Children. Passports and Mexico Entry Requirements for Children. We live in Canada but want to go to Florida. Only 1 infant may be seated in the lap of each ticketed accompanying adult and the infant must be included in the reservation. The accompanying adult will need to present a government-issued photo ID with their current address, as well as provide their own phone number. The required documents can vary by airline, but you likely will need a parental consent form signed by both parents and a copy of the non-traveling parents passport or valid identification. No, she should not need to provide any form to travel with her. All they need is a valid boarding pass to be able to fly. Only 1 carry-on diaper bag per child is allowed. My 16/yo will be flying alone. Dont have a passport yet for your little traveler? Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., make sure it is REAL ID compliant. We are flying from Canada to the US in April. The fee is $150 each way and will cover siblings on the same flight. This fee covers additional siblings . I have a grandson that is 7 months old. You would need to provide some sort of identification like a drivers license, learners permit, social security card, etc. Here is another circumstance where the information can become a little murky. Letter of permission from parents advisable. If so, I recommend you contact the airline and see if they have whats called an Unaccompanied Minor Program. If you don't choose seats in Main Cabin or Basic Economy, well assign seats a few days after you buy your tickets so children under 15 are next to at least 1 adult theyre traveling with. You may not be able to escort your child through security in some airports. Airlines will consider a minor to be unaccompanied unless there is someone traveling with them of a certain age. Minors, unlike adults, are not required by law to show a U.S. federal- or state-issued photo ID for domestic flights, but will need to show a valid passport for international flights; this includes infants. The two main documents that you will need are: The child's ID. 2 min read. A special assistance coordinator will send the form directly to your physician. How to enable JavaScript. Patrice J. Williams is a travel and style content creator, fact-checker and author of the thrift shopping book. Would I still be fine? | Transportation Security Administration As the oldest son and oldest living child of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, King served as the 4th . United states that it does not require children under 18 to show any ID for domestic U.S. travel, if the child is accompanied by an adult 18 or older: "Children under the age of 18 traveling with an adult are not required to show ID at time of check-in." This one is very black and white. Are you planning to fly domestically or visit a Federal facility after May 7, 2025? When flying domestically within the U.S., children typically do not need to show ID. Since youre flying domestically, you wont need to provide any sort of ID. So why bring it if you dont have to? If you're not at the gate in time, your seat may be given to a standby passenger. Travelers to Europe are largely free from coronavirus restrictions, but they may have to contend with another challenge: navigating disruptions as airline . We are flying in 14 days. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Im going to be traveling with my 15-year-old friend. She got her passport when she was 15 and it will still be valid until 2024. ID: The TSA does not require minors under the age of 18 to show ID when traveling with an adult companion within the United States, but some airlines do. Is that enough for her to fly with us? Additional infants under 2 years old must be ticketed and occupy an infant safety seat or in a separate aircraft seat. IDs. Please enable JavaScript to fully experience this site. Birth certificate. Chris has years of marketing and hospitalityexperience, so running the social media channels and writing about family travel is a natural fit for him here at Upgraded Points. Im really concerned he will be denied on board. Infants under 2 years old can travel at no charge in the lap of their parent (any age), or an accompanying adult 16 years or older traveling in the same cabin. All airports have minimum check-in times. 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. If for some reason you need to take an international trip immediately after the birth of your child, it is possible to get passports and visas expedited for an extra cost. Even if your baby is only a month old, they will need a passport to leave the country. A child needs a drivers license, a passport, a Social Security card, or a birth certificate to fly within the United States. American Airlines . If you are flying internationally, you must show your passport or passport card. A non-refundable ticket may cost less, but if you need to make changes you'll be charged a change fee and any difference in fare. While adults must be able to show photographic identification, such as a driver's license or permanent resident card, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not require children under 18 to show any form of ID. Can he travel domestically with his parents? Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Since you are not traveling internationally, you should not need to bring the birth certificate for your child. Im here to tell you that when it comes to travel, the TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. My kids all are under 18 years. So, regardless of where you are traveling to, we suggest having some sort of ID for them. Do you need children's birth certificates to fly? Junior Jetsetter minor service optional. In the rare case that your child needs to stay overnight because of a missed connection, well arrange for overnight accommodations, meals and supervision. To be 100% certain, you should check with your lawyer. How to enable JavaScript. *Infants using bassinets must be younger than 2 years old and weigh no more than 20lbs (9kg). Of course, there are always unique circumstances which we highlighted above, but in most cases, 1 of the 3 situations listed above will cover you. If this is the case, a team member will take your child to the gate and stay with them until the flight departs. However, if they are traveling with a companion who is 18 or over, the companion will need to show identification. Children 2 or older are required to have their own seat, a ticketed adult fare. She is 1 and her fathers name is not on her birth certificate (we are traveling together), but my soon to be ex-husbands name is on there.