# Travel >> Transportation >> Air Travel

Do Children Require an ID to Fly?

A children can fly with an adult or as an unaccompanied minor on some airlines if certain criteria are met, such as minimum age. Children are typically not required to have a government-issued ID to fly, though there are some exceptions. Some documentation may be necessary for your child to fly, even if it isn't a traditional ID card.

Domestic Flights
- Minors who are traveling within the United States are not required to have an ID, though a minor's birth certificate may be required to show proof of age. The parent or guardian who is traveling with the child should carry the document if it's required. Check with the airline you plan to travel on to see if proof of age is required or if there are other special requirements for minors.
International Flights
- Passports are required for all passengers of international flights, including children and newborn infants. Make arrangements to get a passport for your newborn if you are pregnant and planning a trip abroad soon after the child's birth. If the expiration date on your child's passport has a hole punched through it, the airlines will consider it expired and the child will not be permitted to fly.
Traveling Alone
- Some airlines allow children over a certain age, usually five, to fly by themselves, though unaccompanied minor fees may apply. The child is not required to have an ID, though you can send a copy of his birth certificate and school ID, along with your contact information to be safe. The airline will require the person dropping off and picking up the child to show identification and must be notified in advance regarding who will meet the child at the final destination. You can have an ID card made with a picture of the child and your emergency contact information on websites such as kidstravelcard.com. Some countries may require signed or notarized letters of consent by both parents for international flights and all documentation, such as a passport or visa, that is typically required for adults will be required for children.
In Groups
- If your child is traveling with a group, such as with a school trip, ID may not be required, though she should carry her school ID and birth certificate. Many teenagers look like adults, which can create confusion or difficulties when it's time for the child to board her flight. She should also carry a permission slip showing she has her parent's consent and her parent's contact information.