Do Your Kids Need ID to Fly? Here’s a Simple Guide

Getting the family ready for a vacation can be both exciting and stressful. Even if it’s just a short trip, the only thought of putting your kids in a plan can put you in a lot of anxiety. Especially if you are a new parent, you’ll find yourself surrounded by questions like Does your child need an ID to fly? Or When the IDs are not required? So, we are here to let you know all the important things you need to fly with your kids!

Kids are fascinated by traveling especially if it involves flying. It ignites the urge in them to fly and explore the sky. But for parents, this whole flying thing with the kids can be a little troublesome especially if they are unprepared. So, here’s a little travel guide to prepare you for the ID you need to fly with your kids.

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Do Your Kids Need ID to Fly? This is one of the most common questions that pop into the head of parents, especially if they have never flown with their kids before.

Thus, given below are some important pieces of information that can help you prepare for any trip so you can have a smooth and happy journey with your kids.

Do Your Kids Need ID to Fly?  – A Quick Overview

When we talk about a minor taking a trip on a plane, there are some situations in which ID is required and there are others when it’s not. Generally speaking, children do not need identification when traveling within the country, but they do if they are going abroad, such as from the US to India.

As we all are well aware that nobody can fly to a country without a passport for so many reasons. Furthermore, considering the prevalence of child trafficking and kidnapping, allowing minors to travel without a passport and ID is not a good idea.

Nevertheless, as we said earlier, depending on the destination and the age factor your kids might not need an ID at all. Although, it’s never a bad idea to carry the ID of your kids with you no matter where you fly to. Let’s discuss these rules in a brief manner.

When is the ID not required for a Minor to Travel?

• Children that are flying Domestically with an Adult: When it comes to domestic flights, children who are below the age of 18 do not require to show any kind of identity proof to the airline when they are on an adult-accompanied trip.
• Unaccompanied Minor Flying Domestically with an Adult: When it comes to an unaccompanied child, many airlines don’t ask the child to show any ID proof, but the adults who are accompanying them on their flight have to present valid ID proof to the airline.

However, please be noted that every airline has their own rules and regulations regarding ID requirements. There are some airlines that can ask you for the ID proof of your child. Hence, it’s always better to carry the ID proof of your child just to be on the safe side.

In What Cases Does the Child Require an ID to Travel?

• Kids Flying Internationally: Now, when we talk about flying internationally such as US to India, airlines always ask for valid ID proofs of the minor. Even if the child is under the age of 18 and with both parents.
• Kids Flying Internationally with One Parent: Airlines have established a strict documentation policy for minors that are under the age of 18 and are traveling with one parent or any guardian. You must present them with at least two ID proofs and a consent form.

What Kind of ID Proof is required for a Minor to Travel?

Now that you are aware of when and when not a child’s ID is required, you must be wondering what kind of ID is required. A Birth Certificate is ID proof, however, it’s hardly proof or consent that he or she or they are allowed to travel. So, what kind of ID do kids need to fly?

Let’s briefly discuss the documents required during domestic travel

As per the TSA rules for minors, when a minor between the age of 2 and 18 years travels within the country with an adult companion then it is not really compulsory to show any recognizable proof records of the minor. Although the adult traveling with the minor will be required to give legal ID proof and a government-provided ID proof, such as a driver’s permit, a passport, or a government-supported retirement card.

Babies that are under the age of 2 are fully allowed to fly without any of their own flight tickets, as they do not need to have a seat.  But after the age of 2, they will also be required to buy their own flight ticket. According to the TSA, it is not really expected to have ID proof of the baby while flying with parents. Although, at registration hour at the air terminal, airline staff might request to show you the ID proof of a newborn child, which would be their birth certificate. So, carry it with you just to be on the safe side.

However, if you are planning on flying with an infant under 14 days old, then you should get in touch with the airline. As some of them might ask you for a formal statement from the doctor stating that the child is fit to fly.

Now, let’s briefly discuss the documents required during international travel

According to TSA ID rules for minors, when it comes to international travel like US to India, every minor is required to have a legitimate passport provided by the government irrespective of their age.

Make sure that the photograph of the passport is according to the prerequisites set by the US State Department. Similarly, just like everyone else, minors are also required a visa in order to travel to a particular country. For example, if you are planning to travel to India from US, then your kid needs an Indian visa.

Therefore, it is particularly safe to conclude that your kids do not require ID proof to travel domestically, however, they will require it if traveling internationally like US to India, irrespective of their age.

Also Read: A Detailed Guide on How to Get Cheap Flight Tickets to India in 2023?