So you’ve decided you’re going to brave a flight with your tiny human. I can tell you now, you’re probably more anxious than you need to be. But being anxious is also a good thing! It means you are thinking ahead and want to be as prepared as possible for your upcoming trip. One of the first questions that probably springs to mind is, what documents do I need to fly with a child? We’ve got your answers! Let’s talk about the essential documents you will (or won’t) need for a confident airport check-in.
_{*Please note that this information is for flying within or departing from the United States}

What Documents Do I Need to Fly with a Child on a Domestic Flight?
What Documents Do I Need to Fly with a Child on an International Flight?

Documents Needed to Fly with a Child on a Domestic Flight

Birth Certificate

This came as a surprise to me when I first looked into traveling with my child. As of the writing of this post, neither the FAA nor TSA require children under 18 to provide identification to fly domestically within the United States. Most airlines will simply accept the ID of a responsible adult on behalf of the child. That said, each airline has their own rules. I will list the basic policies of major US airlines below, but please check your airline’s policy to make sure nothing has changed.

Airline Minor ID Policies

• Alaska Airlines – no photo ID needed for children under 18
• Allegiant Air – birth certificate or other ID with birthdate required for children under 2; birth certificate or other ID with birthdate strongly recommended for children ages 2-17
• American Airlines – you may have to present proof of age for children under 18
• Delta Air Lines – no requirements listed
• Frontier Airlines – a birth certificate may be requested
• Hawaiian Airlines – they reserve the right to request proof of age (photo copy accepted)
• JetBlue – proof of age required for children under 2 flying as lap children (photo or digital copy accepted)
• Southwest Airlines – no identification required for children under 18
• Spirit Airlines – proof of age required for children under 2 flying as lap children
• Sun Country Airlines – birth certificate may be required as proof of age
• United Airlines – children under 18 don’t need an ID to fly domestically

Even if your airline does not require ID for your child, it might be good to have a copy with you anyway. If, for example, one or both parents have a different last name than your child, the airline may still request a birth certificate to verify that your child is, in fact, yours. Keeping children safe is everyone’s priority, so please don’t be offended if they ask!

Vaccination Records

You should not need immunization records for domestic travel, although fellow parents have said that their children’s records have been accepted as proof of age before. The US declared the COVID-19 public health emergency expired as of May 11, 2023, so you do not need a COVID vaccine to travel domestically, either.

If you are flying with a very new infant (up to about 14 days old), most airlines will require a letter from their doctor granting approval for travel.

Social Security Card

You will not need your child’s Social Security card. In fact, this is something you should definitely leave at home. It’s good to know your child’s Social Security number, but no one should be asking for it and if they do, ask them why and how the information will be used. Keep your child’s personal information safe and keep the card at home.

Minor Travel Consent Form

This one is particularly airline specific. In a nutshell, you might need one of these if your child is not flying with BOTH parents or other legal guardians. The airline may have their own specific form to fill out, or they may require a notarized letter. Regardless, any minor travel consent form should contain the following:

• Child’s full name, birthdate and place of birth
• Child’s parents full names
• Both parents’ contact information
• Accompanying adult’s full name and relationship to child
• Your travel arrangements (where you are flying and dates you are flying)
• Written consent, signatures and dates from both parents that the child is permitted to fly under such arrangements

It is also good to have if a grandparent or other guardian comes along. Simply include the accompanying guardian’s information on the form to show that they also have permission to travel with your child.

Documents Needed to Fly with a Child on an International Flight

Passport

Anyone flying out of the country, regardless of age, needs a passport. Even if they are a lap child, they still need a passport.

Here is a basic rundown of what you will need to apply for their passport:

1. Completed DS-11 form
2. Birth certificate
   Include a certified copy AND black and white photocopy of birth certificate (they keep the copy).
3. Parents’ ID
   You will need to present one to the acceptance agent and provide a photocopy of both front and back of your ID.
4. Parental consent
   Both parents will need to be present when submitting application OR fill out, sign and notarize an additional form (further instruction on State Department website).
5. Photo
   The photo must meet the government’s passport photo requirements. Some application locations will take your child’s photo for a fee.
6. Money
   There are separate fees when applying, and also different forms of payment accepted depending on the fee and location. Click here to see what you need to pay and how you need to pay.
7. Time
   It can take several weeks to several months to receive your child’s passport. If you have a specific travel date in mind, make sure you factor in both mailing and processing times to determine if you need expedited service. You can pay to expedite the processing time, the mailing time or both.

You can find more details on everything you need to apply for your child’s passport here. Once issued, your child’s passport will be valid for 5 years if they were under age 16 when it was issued. If they were 16 or 17 when it was issued, their passport will be valid for 10 years.

Visa

Similar to passports, if the country you are traveling to requires a visa for an adult, you will also need a visa for your child. You can use the State Departments’s Learn About Your Destination page to find out exactly what you will need. Be sure to allow enough processing time to receive your visas.

Birth Certificate

This may or may not be necessary. Some countries do require it in addition to your child’s passport, especially if one or both parents have a different last name from the child. They may ask even if both parents are present. This is to verify that you are the legal parents/guardians. If you’re unsure, carry a copy of your child’s birth certificate just in case.

Vaccination Records

The immunization records needed will vary by country. Some countries have specific public health concerns and will require proof of particular vaccinations like Hepatitis A or Yellow Fever. You can check the CDC’s Destinations webpage to look up immunization requirements for your specific destinations.

Social Security Card

We’ve already established that if you are traveling internationally, you will already be carrying your child’s passport and likely a copy of their birth certificate. This should be all you need to verify your child’s identity, their citizenship and your legal guardianship. It is safest to leave the Social Security cards at home. This is the best way to protect your child’s information.

Minor Travel Consent Form

The rules here are pretty much the same as if you are flying domestically, but you should also include passport information. To save you from having to scroll back up, here is what your form should contain:

• Your child’s full name, birthdate, place of birth and passport information (number, country, issue and expiration dates)
• Your child’s parents full names
• Both parents’ contact information
• Accompanying adult’s full name, relationship to child and passport information
• Your travel arrangements (where you are flying and dates you are flying)
• Written consent, signatures and dates from both parents that the child is permitted to fly under such arrangements

Again, different airlines may have their own forms or additional requirements, so be sure to check with your airline for their latest policies.

Better Safe Than Sorry

Even though some of these documents may not be be necessary on every flight, having copies just in case will put your mind at ease. In particular, it is good to have proof of your child’s identity and age, proof of your relationship to your child and permission from both parents if your child is not flying with both parents. Remember to always check with your airline before your trip to double-check that you have everything they require. I would also recommend making two copies of everything and keeping them in two separate places in case a bag gets lost or stolen.

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Take a look at what else you should research to prepare for your international trip.