ID for kids when traveling

[feenix]

Is a passport all we need to bring for each child in order for them to fly and cruise? I was not sure how they verify that they are our children, since that doesn't seem to be on the passport.

[rebeccalouise]

If you have the same last name- it isn't really an issue. I don't know if they do this will all parents but my son and I have different last names. He is 8. When we are in the security line at the airport the attendant asks my son who I am, how old he is and what grade he is in. That way they get a sense of this. Its isn't very scientific but I do appreciate this since we do have different last names. I also carry permission from my ex to travel with him and our divorce decree which spells has my married name and the resulting name change (back to my maiden name).

[MOMtoTwins]

I asked the airline this specifically and was told a passport was not good enough to prove they are your kids and we were required to bring their Birth certs. of course not one person asked to see them on the 3 flights we were on

[PattyW]

A passport is good enough. Often security or customs inspectors will start a dialogue with a child (even a small one) and while it just seems friendly, it's clear they are confirming family relationships.

 

The first time I thought we just had a very friendly customs agent, but by the third time someone asks your 18 month old: "Who's this?" or "Can you point to your mama"?, you catch on that there's some detective work going on there.

[MOMtoTwins]

I guess mine are young enough they cant be asked questions and I was told a birth certificate was required to prove we were the parents

[calikak]

I think in theory all you need is a passport but we bring a birth certificate too just in case. We have one of those document holders that holds the passports, boarding passes, cruise docs, etc. and a certified copy of his birth certificate fits in there with everything else.