What documents do I need to fly with a baby or toddler?
Whether or not you’ll need your child’s birth certificate, a passport, or other travel documents when you fly with your baby or toddler depends on a few things. And you don’t want to get caught without the right documents or ID at the airport — including your own REAL ID for flights on May 7, 2025, and after! 😉
So before you plan any flight with your child, consider these questions–even if you’re “just” crossing the border to Canada or Mexico from the U.S.
- Will you be traveling domestically in the U.S. with your baby?
- Will you be traveling internationally with your baby?
- And will you be traveling internationally with your baby without the other parent?
Let’s take a closer look at what it means to fly with a baby or toddler in each of these situations.
Documents needed for children flying within the U.S. with at least one parent:
As a general rule, babies and children flying with at least one parent within the U.S. do not (as of writing) need identification. However, proof of age for your airline may be another matter.
Is your baby riding free on your lap, or did you get a discounted “child fare” for them to fly in their own seat on the airplane? If so, proof of age may be required. This can be your baby’s birth certificate (a physical certified copy, not a picture of it in your phone) or passport.
See more about when and why–and what might be needed in the way of age-verifying I.D. for your baby in “Do infants and babies need I.D. for flights?” and check your airline’s website for specifics.
Documents needed for babies and toddlers on international flights with both parents
For international air travel with BOTH parents, your baby or toddler will need a passport. For help getting your child’s first passport -– and passport photo (even when he can’t yet support his head), see Chapter 6: The Baby Abroad in Travels with Baby.
You can start your child’s first passport application here on the TSA website. And for kids applying for passports at 15, 16, or 17 years old, be sure to read this post.
Documents needed for children flying internationally with only one parent or other caregivers
For international travel with only one parent, babies also need a notarized letter of consent to travel abroad from the other parent or related documentation. For help with this, see “Will your child need a ‘letter of consent’ or other documents for international travel? (Sample letter included).
Don’t forget, there are tons more resources and tips for flying with babies and young children right here on this site and in my guidebook Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler.
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby guidebooks and Hiking with Kids Southern California: 45 Great Hikes for Families
