Children under 18 do not need a Real ID to fly domestically in the United States, even after the federal important date passes

Your child can board a domestic flight with a regular state ID, a passport, a passport card, or a birth certificate. The Real ID Act, which took effect in May 2025, requires adults 18 and older to show a Real ID-compliant driver's license or passport at airport security. Children are exempt from this requirement entirely.

That said, your child will still need some form of identification to board a plane. TSA agents check ID to match the name on the ticket to the person at the gate. A birth certificate works for this purpose, though it is slower to verify than a photo ID. If your child has a passport or state ID, bringing that instead will move the line faster.

International flights have different rules. Any child traveling outside the United States needs a passport, regardless of age. A birth certificate alone will not work for crossing a border.

Key Takeaways

  • Children under 18 do not need a Real ID to fly domestically and are not required to get one.
  • A birth certificate, state ID, passport, or passport card all work for domestic flights, though a photo ID speeds up the security line.
  • International flights require a passport for all children, no matter how young.
  • If your child's name on the ticket does not match their ID exactly, bring a birth certificate or court order showing the name change.
  • TSA PreCheck and Clear do not change ID requirements for children, though they can speed up the screening process.

What ID Your Child Can Use at Domestic Airport Security

The TSA accepts five forms of ID for children on domestic flights: a birth certificate, a state-issued ID card, a driver's license, a passport, or a passport card. You do not need to buy a Real ID version of any of these. A standard state ID works just fine.

A birth certificate is the cheapest option if your child does not already have an ID. You can order a certified copy from your state's vital records office, usually for $10 to $25. The downside is that TSA agents take longer to verify a birth certificate than a photo ID, so expect a slower security line. If you are flying frequently with your child, a passport or state ID card will move things along faster.

A passport is the most useful document because it works for both domestic and international travel. A child's passport costs $130 and takes four to six weeks to arrive by mail, or you can pay extra for expedited service. A passport card costs $65 and is smaller and cheaper, but it only works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean—not for flights to other countries.

When Your Child's Name on the Ticket Does Not Match Their ID

If your child's legal name changed after you bought the ticket—through marriage, adoption, or court order—bring both the old and new documents to the airport. Bring the ticket under the old name, the ID under the new name, and a certified copy of the birth certificate or court order showing the name change.

TSA agents see this situation regularly and know how to handle it. Call the airline before you go to the airport to let them know the name mismatch exists, so the gate agent is not surprised. Some airlines will reissue the ticket at no charge if you call ahead; others will not, but they will let you board if you have the right documents.

Real ID Requirements for Adults Traveling with Children

You, as the adult, need a Real ID-compliant driver's license or passport to pass through airport security. Your child does not. If you have a regular state driver's license without the Real ID star or gold circle in the upper right corner, you will need to show a passport instead.

If you do not have a Real ID yet, you can get one by visiting your state's DMV with proof of identity, proof of citizenship, and proof of address. The process takes about 15 minutes, and the card arrives in the mail in two to four weeks. Some states charge $10 to $25 for a Real ID upgrade; others include it free with a regular renewal.

TSA PreCheck and Clear Do Not Change ID Rules for Children

TSA PreCheck and Clear are paid programs that speed up airport security screening. Neither program changes what ID your child needs to bring. Your child still needs a birth certificate, state ID, or passport—they just get through the line faster if you have enrolled them in PreCheck.

TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years and lets your child go through a shorter security line. You enroll them in person at an enrollment center, and they get a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you add to their airline ticket. Clear costs $189 per year and lets you skip the ID-check line entirely, but your child still needs to show ID to the TSA agent at the scanner.

International Travel and Passport Requirements

Any child traveling outside the United States needs a passport, no matter how young. A newborn needs a passport to leave the country. A birth certificate alone will not work, even for travel to Canada or Mexico by car or boat.

A child's passport requires both parents or guardians to appear in person at a passport acceptance facility, unless one parent has a court order granting sole custody. Bring the child's birth certificate, proof of citizenship (usually a birth certificate again), and proof of your identity. The process takes about an hour, and the passport arrives in four to six weeks. Expedited service costs extra and takes two to three weeks.

What Happens If Your Child Forgets Their ID at Home

If your child arrives at the airport without any ID, TSA can still let them through security if an adult with a Real ID is traveling with them. The agent will ask questions to verify your child's identity—name, date of birth, address—and may ask you to confirm the answers. This process takes longer and is not may provide to work, so it is not a strategy to rely on.

If you realize the ID is missing before you leave home, call the airline. Some airlines will let you board without ID if you have the ticket confirmation and a credit card matching the name on the ticket. Others will not. It is faster to turn around and get the ID if you are close to home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my 5-year-old fly with just a birth certificate?

Yes. A birth certificate is a valid form of ID for domestic flights. TSA will verify it against the ticket, though the process is slower than with a photo ID. If you fly often, a passport or state ID card will move through security faster.

Do I need to get my child a Real ID before they turn 18?

No. Children under 18 are not required to have a Real ID, and there is no important date for them to get one. They can continue using a regular state ID, passport, or birth certificate for domestic flights as long as they want.

What if my child has a passport from another country?

A foreign passport works for domestic flights in the United States. TSA will accept it as valid ID. For international travel, your child will need a U.S. passport or passport card to re-enter the country.

Can my teenager get a Real ID if they want one?

Yes. Teenagers 16 and older can get a Real ID driver's license or ID card from their state's DMV. There is no minimum age requirement. Some teenagers get one early if they plan to drive or want a photo ID for other reasons, but it is not necessary for flying.

Do I need to show my child's ID at the gate, or just at security?

You need to show ID at security. At the gate, the airline checks your boarding pass, not your ID. However, the name on your boarding pass must match the name on your child's ID, so bring the ID to the airport even if you only need it for security.