Travels with Baby Tip #7: Appropriate ID for Domestic Flights with Babies and Children Under 2

For domestic flights within the U.S. with infants (all children younger than 2 years), airlines usually request that you bring a notarized / certified copy of your child’s birth certificate as valid identification. However, you may be surprised (and a little disturbed) if and when no one throughout the entire airport asks to see her I.D. At the same time, many parents who have already flown domestically with their child are startled—and sometimes delayed—when they are suddenly asked for the child’s I.D. at check-in and have nothing more to offer than the brag book in Mom’s purse. Don't let it happen to you. Much of the confusion comes from the actual reason why the airlines request the birth certificate for domestic travel--not as proof of the child's birth place, not to verify the name of the child, not even to prove the relationship of the child to you (all of which can take on great importance when flying internationally with your child, however). For domestic flights, the airlines simply want to be sure your child really is the qualifying age to fly at the free or discounted rate you may be taking advantage of. If your child is not yet capable of sitting up, the reservations agent may feel it's pretty obvious that she hasn't celebrated her 2nd birthday yet and crossed the line from qualifying infant fares to what is most often a full-price ticket. But agents who don't spend a lot of time around toddlers, in particular, may be quick to check for ID, as is their right. Don't get caught unprepared, always travel with your child's birth certificate, if not her passport. And for help finding airlines that make it worth keeping track of the extra documents (standard infant and child discounts, baby), use my Airlines Table in Chapter 14 of Travels with Baby.

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of Travels with Baby:
The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children