Family Travel

Do children need identification to fly?


Family at the coastal village

J

Jessica Labrencis

    As summer approaches, you're likely preparing to take the kids on a vacation to Disney World, Grandma's house, or elsewhere. If you're traveling by air, you may be wondering what identification you'll need to have for your children.

    According to the

    Federal Aviation Administration

    (FAA), each airline sets the identification requirements for minors on domestic flights. Generally, children are not required to present ID for travel within the U.S., but you should contact your airline before you travel to check exactly what, if anything, is needed.

    International flights are a whole other ballgame, however. All children, including infants, must present a passport for travel outside the U.S. The

    State Department

    offers step-by-step instructions on applying for passports for minors.

    If your child will be flying alone, Ed Perkins has an article on

    air travel for unaccompanied minors

    that you may find useful.



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