What Documents Do Children Need to Travel?
Children under 18 don't need ID for US domestic flights with an adult, but lap infants may need proof of age and every child needs their own passport to fly internationally. If only one parent or another adult is traveling with the child, bring a signed consent letter and a copy of the birth certificate.
On this page
Documents by Scenario
The documents a child needs depend on where you’re going and who is traveling with them. Domestic flights need very little. International trips, one-parent travel, and teens flying alone need more. Use this table as your checklist, then read the sections below for details.
| Scenario | What to bring | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flight, with parents | Nothing required for the child; adult brings REAL ID or passport | Birth certificate copy is a good backup |
| Lap infant, domestic flight | Proof of age (birth certificate or passport) | Airlines may ask; infant must be under 2 on every flight, including the return |
| International flight, both parents | Child’s own valid passport; visas if required | Check destination’s passport validity rule, often 6 months |
| International flight, one parent | Passport plus a signed consent letter from the other parent; birth certificate copy | Notarize the letter; add custody papers if you have sole custody |
| With grandparents or another adult | Passport (international) plus consent letter from both parents; birth certificate copy; medical consent | Include parents’ phone numbers and the child’s health insurance card |
| Different last names | Birth certificate listing the parent; adoption, court, or marriage papers if needed | Consent letter from the other parent helps |
| Road trip to Canada or Mexico | Passport or passport card; birth certificate for under-16s returning to the US by land | Consent letter if both parents aren’t present; check CBP and the destination’s rules |
| Teen flying alone | Photo ID (passport, state ID, or school ID); airline unaccompanied minor forms if enrolled | Rules vary by airline and age; check before booking |
Everything below expands on these rows. For the bigger picture of planning a family trip, see our complete guide to traveling with children.
Passports for Children
Every child, including a newborn, needs their own passport to fly internationally. Children can no longer be added to a parent’s passport. The process depends on age.
Under 16: Form DS-11, in person
A child under 16 must apply in person with form DS-11. Both parents or guardians must consent. That means both appear together, or one appears with the other parent’s signed, notarized form DS-3053 and a copy of that parent’s ID.
If one parent has sole custody, bring the court order, or a death certificate if the other parent has died. You’ll also need proof of citizenship (usually the original birth certificate), proof of parentage, the parents’ IDs, and one photo. The passport is valid for 5 years.
Ages 16–17
Teens 16 and 17 also apply in person with DS-11 if it’s their first passport. Only one parent’s awareness is typically needed, and the passport is valid for 10 years. Some teens this age can renew by mail if they had an adult passport before; check the rules.
Apply early
Plan for 2–3 months before travel. Routine processing takes weeks, and busy seasons stretch it. Expedited service costs extra. Fees change, so confirm current amounts on travel.state.gov.
Also check validity against your trip. Many countries require at least 6 months left on the passport when you arrive. A child’s 5-year passport runs out faster than you think.
Photo tips for babies
Baby passport photos follow the same basic rules as adult ones. Plain white or off-white background, face fully visible, no hands or toys in the frame.
- Lay your baby on a plain white sheet and shoot from above.
- Eyes open is preferred for older babies; newborns get more leeway, but check current guidance.
- Take it at home with a phone and print at a pharmacy that does passport photos. It’s usually faster than a studio visit.
Consent Letters
A consent letter shows that a child traveling without both parents has permission to go. US law doesn’t require one. Border officers in Canada and other countries, and some airlines, may still ask for it. It’s a single page that can prevent a long conversation at a border desk. Our free travel consent letter generator fills one in for you, ready to print, sign and notarize.
What to include:
- Child’s details: full name, date of birth, passport number.
- Both parents’ details: full names, addresses, phone numbers, email.
- Traveling adult’s details: name, relationship to the child, passport or ID number.
- Trip details: destination, travel dates, flight or route.
- A clear permission sentence: “I consent to my child traveling with [name] to [destination] from [date] to [date].”
- Signatures of the non-traveling parent(s), ideally notarized.
Attach a copy of the non-traveling parent’s ID. For grandparents or another adult, add a separate medical consent note so they can authorize care in an emergency.
Some countries have stricter rules for minors. Mexico has its own requirements for Mexican-national children, and South Africa has had strict rules in the past. Check with the destination’s embassy before you book.
Divorced or Separated Parents
If you share custody, bring the consent letter plus your custody documents. A court order can show that you’re allowed to travel, or that you have sole custody. Check that the order doesn’t restrict international travel or require the other parent’s written approval.
If you have sole custody, carry a copy of the court order for passport applications and for border crossings. If the other parent has died, bring a copy of the death certificate. Keep originals at home and travel with certified copies where possible.
IDs for Domestic Flights
TSA does not require ID for travelers under 18 flying domestically with an adult companion. The adult needs a REAL ID-compliant license or a passport. REAL ID enforcement began May 7, 2025.
Airlines are a separate question. If your child is a lap infant, the airline may ask for proof they are under 2. A birth certificate or passport works. More on that in our guide to flying with a baby. Older kids flying with a parent usually need nothing, though some airlines ask for ID at check-in for teens.
Birth Certificates
A birth certificate is the most useful backup document for a child. It proves age, citizenship, and who the parents are. It’s the core document for passport applications, lap infant age checks, and different-last-name situations.
Carry a copy on domestic trips and a certified copy on international ones. Keep the original at home. Store a photo of it on your phone and in a cloud folder too.
Land Borders: Canada and Mexico
For re-entering the US by land or sea from Canada or Mexico, US citizen children under 16 can generally use a birth certificate instead of a passport. This comes from the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Confirm the current rules with US Customs and Border Protection before you go.
A passport card is also valid for land and sea crossings. It can’t be used for international flights. It’s cheaper than a passport book and fits in a wallet.
Canada and Mexico set their own entry rules. Canadian border officers often ask about children traveling without both parents, so a consent letter is recommended. Mexico’s requirements depend on how far past the border you go. Planning a drive? Our road trips with kids guide covers the rest of the route.
Unaccompanied Minors
Most US airlines run unaccompanied minor programs, with required enrollment for younger children and optional enrollment for older teens. Age ranges, fees, and allowed routes vary. Many airlines don’t allow connecting flights for young unaccompanied minors, and very young children generally can’t fly alone.
Our guide to unaccompanied minors compares the major US airlines’ programs. Expect to fill out forms with the names and IDs of the adults dropping off and picking up. The pickup adult will need to show ID. Check your airline’s program before booking; the fee can change the math on a trip, so see family travel on a budget for ways to plan around it.
Keeping Documents Organized
Put every family document in one zip folder and keep a digital copy of each. Loose papers get lost between security trays and hotel safes.
- One folder per family, held by one adult.
- Photos of every page in a shared cloud folder.
- Expiration dates in your calendar, 9 months ahead.
Add the document folder to your family packing list so it’s the first thing packed and the last thing checked.
Frequently asked questions
Do babies under 2 need a passport?
Yes, to fly internationally. Every US citizen, including a newborn and a lap infant, needs their own passport to fly internationally. Apply in person with form DS-11, with both parents present or the absent parent's notarized DS-3053. Allow 2–3 months before travel.
Do kids need ID to fly domestically in the US?
No. TSA does not require travelers under 18 to show ID on domestic flights when they travel with an adult. The adult needs a REAL ID-compliant ID or a passport. Airlines may still ask for proof of age for lap infants.
Is a consent letter legally required when one parent travels with a child?
US law does not require one. It is still strongly recommended, because border officers in Canada and other countries, and some airlines, may ask for it. Include both parents' contact details, the child's details, and the trip dates, and have it notarized if you can.
What do kids need to drive into Canada or Mexico?
For returning to the US by land or sea, US citizen children under 16 can generally use a birth certificate instead of a passport. Canada and Mexico set their own entry rules, so check both sides before you go. A consent letter is recommended if both parents aren't in the car.
How long is a child's passport valid?
A US passport issued to a child under 16 is valid for 5 years. A passport issued at 16 or 17 is valid for 10 years. Many countries also require at least 6 months of validity left on arrival.
What if my child has a different last name than me?
Bring a copy of the birth certificate that lists you as a parent. If the link isn't on the birth certificate, add adoption papers, a court order, or a marriage certificate. A consent letter from the other parent helps too.
Can a teenager fly alone without ID?
It depends on the airline. TSA advises teens traveling alone to check with their airline, and many airlines ask for ID from older minors. A school ID, passport, or state ID is the safest thing to carry.
What documents does a child need to fly within the US?
None by law. The TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID on domestic flights when they travel with an adult. Airlines may ask for proof of age for a lap infant, so carry a copy of the birth certificate, and bring a signed consent letter if only one parent is traveling.
What's the earliest a baby can get a passport?
There is no minimum age. You can apply as soon as you have the baby's certified birth certificate, which proves citizenship and parentage. The baby must appear in person with form DS-11 and needs a passport photo on a plain white background, with no hands or pacifier in the frame.