For airline travel and such, do you need to bring a birth certificate, since they are too young (3 years old) to have any form of ID? I don't want to bring a B.C. if it won't be needed. THANKS!

I've never had a problem traveling with my daughter (13 years old) in all the years we have been flying. We have never been asked for a birth certificate and she has flown on her own as well.

They have never asked me for it however its better to be safe than sorry!

Flew with my 3yr old daughter in May, 04 and didn't have any ID issues.

They don't ask for ID for children under the age of 15

We, also, did not need any form of ID for our kids (then 5 & 3yo).

On a related note, I do put recent photos of them in their wallets, as well as in a little photo book I carry in my bag, with their names & birthdates + cell phone number on the back. This would be helpful in the event they're in an accident and unable to identify themselves, or they get separated from me and I need a good description.

You only need an ID , such as a birth certificate if your child is under two years of age and sitting on your lap without a ticket.

None of my kids have been asked for ID until they reached 18. My son flew on his own at 14 without ID. July, the only one required of the 4 kids to show ID was my 18yo. The 17 and 2-15yos weren't even asked for school ID.

This is kind of off the subject but......because my sons participate in sports, I often need to have their birth certificates and usually forget to bring them with me. Our local health department provided me with a wallet size birth certificate that I can just carry with me now and that has really helped when I have needed one. It is the same size as a credit card. I know - what if your wallet gets stolen, I worry about that to but decided I would deal with that if it happened.

You only need an ID , such as a birth certificate if your child is under two years of age and sitting on your lap without a ticket.

That is a requirement only on certain airlines. Southwest is one of them. My husband is a commercial pilot for America West, and they do not require it. Until your child turns 16, they should not have to show picture ID.