kathy

When traveling in the United States with your children who are under 16 do you take any type of identification for them.

Ellen

I always take our passports, just in case I need positive ID or proof of age.

Rachel

I usually have copies of their birth certificates with me (especially during frequent crossovers to Canada, and when travelling by air). Also, if they have Town or schol IDs, try those.

julie

Kathy, took our children 13 and 11 to Hawaii two weeks ago. They didn't have any identification and were never asked for any. We went through Minneapolis and LA.

xxxxxx

ttt

Susan

Kathy, I don't know what your concerns are but for my own piece of mind I usually make my kids wear their ID bracelets when we travel. They are made for kids with their name, address and phone number on the inside.

Susan

That's "peace of mind." ;-)

Elen

Susan, an ID bracelet is good in case e kids get lost, but I think the discussion here is about proof of identity or age. An ID bracelet isn't proof of anything except that you had an ID bracelet made.

xxx

Last time we flew down to Florida from Chicago the airline informed me that even the kids needed a picture ID. I took them to the Driver's License Bureau and got picture IDs for maybe $4-5 dollars apiece. Good thing,too-I had to show them to airline personnel 2 or 3 times.

xxx

Elen,
How can you tell from Kathy's post that she meant proof of identity or age? I'm pretty good at reading comprehension but don't see that. Anyway, I have laminated cards that contain phone numbers, addresses, etc. that are always in our 7 and 9 year olds' pockets when we travel.

Laura

I traveled last week with my 15yr old and was asked for her ID 4 or 5 times. She looks 16 or 17 and they felt that she should be carrying ID.
Truth is... she forgot her school ID which has always been enough.
We a traveling again this week and she WILL have her school ID.

Elen

Hi xxx (the second one), I just said I THINK that's what she meant. Just my interpretation of "do YOU take any type of identification FOR them." The implication is that the parent is carrying the ID.

Also, since she specified the US, that implies that she's talking about the types of ID that would be required for traveling out of the country.

Finally, since she specified age 16, the question seems related to proof of age. The types of ID that parents make up themselves (bracelets or lamiated basic info) would be appropriate for younger kids who might not be able to provide this, especially under stress (e.g., if they were lost).

As I said before, that's what I think. Where's kathy, she could help clear this up. ;-)