When traveling with a minor, it’s essential to carry the right documentation. This way, security personnel know that children have permission from their parents or guardians for their journeys.
The documents you need will depend on the child’s age, who they’re traveling with, and whether the travel is domestic or international. Consider these nine travel documents for minors to ensure your child’s safety and prevent travel delays.
1. Child Travel Consent Form
A child travel consent form is highly recommended for domestic travel when a child is traveling with one parent or someone other than their parent or legal guardian. This form asserts the child’s reason for travel and their relationship with their travel companion.
While this form is optional for domestic travel within the US, it may be required in certain situations. For example, some cruise lines and airlines mandate it. Plus, some destination countries require it for entry. This document ensures a smooth passage through border control and can prevent child abduction, as it ensures the child has permission to go on their trip.
Consider the specifics of your trip to determine if this document is required. You should check with the US embassy of your destination country for the applicable requirements. If you fill out this form, seek notary acknowledgment to increase its validity.
2. Birth Certificate
For most domestic US air travel, minors under 18 do not need to prove their identity. However, you may need to prove the child’s age if they’re under two.
It’s common practice for airlines (like Delta and American Airlines) to allow children under two to fly for free when they sit in an adult’s lap, so you must be able to show that the child meets this requirement to avoid paying for their airfare. Since children may not have driver’s licenses or other state-issued IDs, a birth certificate is often acceptable.
A state-issued birth certificate (not a hospital-issued birth certificate) can be useful if the child engages in international land or sea travel. This document can be sufficient proof for children (only if they are under 16) entering the US via land or sea, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
3. Passport
A passport is not required for children traveling domestically, but it’s necessary for children traveling internationally. Children engaging in international air travel need the same travel documents as adults would, including a passport.
The passport application process for children under 16 requires both parents or legal guardians to be present and sign the form. They must fill out and submit Form DS-11 for their child, which will include the child’s Social Security number and proof of US citizenship. If one parent or guardian cannot be there, they can use Form DS-3053 to communicate their approval.
The application process for children aged 16 or 17 is slightly different. It only requires the child to show that one parent or legal guardian is aware of the application. Be sure to follow the US Department of State’s requirements for your child’s passport application based on their age group.
Passport Cards for Land & Sea Travel
For land or sea travel, adults and children alike may not need a traditional passport book. Instead, they can use a passport card to come and go from Bermuda, Mexico, Canada, and some countries in the Caribbean.
Getting a passport card is cheaper than buying a traditional passport book, making it a convenient option for children traveling internationally to select countries by land and sea but not by air.
4. Proof of Parent-Child Relationship
If just one parent is traveling with the child, it’s highly recommended to have proof of the parent-child relationship. Airlines and officials may request it, so it’s important to have it available.
It may help alleviate suspicion and prove that you have the right to travel with your child, especially if your last names differ or you share custody of your child with someone else. Documents you can use to prove the parent-child relationship include the following:
- Minor’s US or foreign birth certificate
- Minor’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Adoption decree
- Court order establishing a custodian or guardianship
5. Child’s ID Card
Children under 18 don’t need an identification card to fly domestically, as airlines will accept government-issued identification from the adult traveling with the minor. As of May 7, 2025, airlines can only accept REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state-issued ID cards for domestic travel. If the adult doesn’t have a REAL ID-compliant ID, they must travel with an alternative form of government-issued ID, like a passport.
Even though minors don’t need an ID, they can benefit from traveling with one. Children, especially when traveling alone, can carry their driver’s license (if they have one) or state-issued ID card to prove their identity and prevent questions.
6. Doctor’s Note (for Young Infants)
When a child is first born, they may be too weak or immunocompromised to travel. Some airlines require you to carry a doctor’s note stating that young infants are healthy enough to travel. For example, American Airlines requires any child under seven days old to have a doctor’s note stating they are healthy enough to endure a trip. Each airline has different requirements, so check the rules for the airline you plan to fly with.
7. Visa & Entry Permits
Depending on the country the child travels to, they may need a visa or an entry permit. Research the destination’s specific entry requirements well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
Children must often have their own passport and visa/entry permit separate from those of adults. In addition, some countries have specific rules for minors, like a signed letter of consent if the child travels without both parents.
Some visa processes may not require young children to complete in-person interviews or other steps that are impractical. Plus, some children’s visas can be derivative visas where the child’s immigration status is related to their parents’ status.
8. Vaccination & Health Records
Some destinations may require proof of vaccination or other health records, particularly in areas where certain diseases are prevalent. For more information, review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) guidelines.
You should also have your child’s updated health records, especially on longer trips. These records can guide medical professionals and give them insight into your child’s medical history if your child experiences an emergency while away from home.
Complete a Child Medical Consent Form
If your child is traveling without you, you can complete a child medical consent form in advance. This form lets you authorize a trusted adult to make medical decisions on their behalf in your absence.
9. Unaccompanied Minor Form
Some airlines require the completion of their own unaccompanied minor form if the child is traveling alone on a domestic flight. This form includes key details, such as:
- The child’s name, age, and other identifying information
- The name of the person dropping them off
- The name of the person picking them up
- The name of the child’s emergency contact
- Any special instructions the airline should follow
Check the requirements of your airline. Some airlines require their unaccompanied minor service for children between a certain age range (such as between five and 14), but older children can use it for a fee. If your child is under a certain age (commonly under five years old), they won’t be allowed to travel alone under any circumstances, so the unaccompanied minor form won’t apply.
