SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
Traveling with kids can be an adventure before you arrive at the airport. In addition to preparing to navigate security lines, and packing snacks and entertainment, you have to find out what kind of ID your young traveler might need.
Do minors under the age of 18 need identification to travel? The answer is "no" for domestic U.S. travel, but "yes" for international travel.
For domestic travel, airlines will accept ID from the adult on behalf of the minor, but for international travel, both the minor and the adult must present the same travel documents.
To avoid having your trip sidelined by missing documentation, here are situations when kids can skip having identification when flying and times when it’s required.
Kids don’t need an ID when flying within the U.S.
Domestic travel with an adult
When flying domestically, both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirm that kids younger than 18 don't need an ID to travel.
However, the adult they are traveling with needs to have an ID. An adult must have a state-issued driver’s license or identity card, passport or passport card, permanent resident or border crossing card or other forms of federally recognized identification.
Most airlines don't allow children to fly solo unless using an airline's unaccompanied minor service.
Domestic travel as an unaccompanied minor
If a child is traveling as an unaccompanied minor, they don't need identification, but the adult taking the child to the airport needs to show an ID. However, if the child does have an identification card or passport, it is wise to bring it.
» Learn more: Pro tips for smart and cheap family travel
The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends that a child carry their birth certificate to prove their age. Some airlines may require the adult to fill out an unaccompanied minor form.
Airlines may have their own requirements for unaccompanied minors, so be sure to check with the carrier. For example, American Airlines requires the child to have a form of identification like a passport or birth certificate. The airline also recommends attaching a copy of a form of ID to the child’s clothing as an additional measure.
The person picking up the child at the destination must also have an ID.
» Learn more: Which airlines let kids fly free?
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Kids need an ID when flying internationally
International travel with an adult
Every individual traveling outside the U.S. needs some form of identification. This could be a passport, passport card or birth certificate, depending on the destination. A passport is recommended.
Even though it’s possible to cross certain borders with a state-issued ID or to take a cruise without a passport, it’s still important to have some form of identification for every traveler. Almost all countries require a passport book, and if there’s a visa required to enter, children will need one too.
If traveling to Canada, children under 16 can travel with a birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship, but only if traveling by land or by sea. A passport or Trusted Traveler Program Card is required if traveling by air. Still, parents should obtain a passport for their children if they plan to travel internationally at some point since it is necessary to visit most countries.
Officials at country entry points are always looking out for possible child abductions, so if a child is traveling alone or without both custodial parents, they might need more documentation and identification.
When a minor is traveling with one of their parents, it is wise to have a notarized letter of consent from the other parent to avoid any issues at border control checkpoints.
The notarized letter should be in English, signed by both parents, and should say “I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."
When a child is under the custody of one parent, custodial documents also work. Having this information is a good practice whether crossing a border by land or air.
International travel as an unaccompanied minor
Similar to when traveling with a parent, unaccompanied children need documentation when flying internationally, typically a passport. There may also be additional requirements.
Some countries require kids traveling solo to have a letter of consent, so be sure to check with the airline and the embassy of the destination country. If your child is connecting through a third country, be sure to get any documentation that may be needed during transit.
Travel ID requirements for kids recapped
When it comes to carrying identification for children, domestic air travel is mostly seamless because the youngsters can travel without their own IDs. But when crossing a border, children need their own ID separate from that of their parents. And kids flying with only one parent or by themselves have even more considerations. To be safe — and to comply with airline policies — it’s better to have more documentation than needed.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Explore more on
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
