Owais Crawford
A birth certificate is a vital document for travel and other official purposes. While it cannot be used as a primary document for air travel, it can be used to obtain a passport, as proof of age for infants, and as a way to confirm one's identity if their ID is lost or stolen. For international travel, a passport is mandatory, regardless of age. For domestic travel, various forms of ID are accepted, including a driver's license, state-issued ID card, or passport. Unaccompanied minors eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening. In the case of infants, a birth certificate can be used to prove their age and eligibility for the lap infant program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of birth certificates for adults | Birth certificates cannot be used as primary documents for air travel. They can be used as supporting evidence if your original identification was lost or stolen. |
| Use of birth certificates for children | Birth certificates can be used as proof of age for children under the age of 2. Children without a passport will need to obtain one before traveling internationally. |
| Acceptable IDs for adults | REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, state-issued photo identity cards, passports, state-issued enhanced driver's licenses, and enhanced ID cards. |
| Acceptable IDs for children | Birth certificates, ID cards, or passports. |
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What You'll Learn
Using a birth certificate as ID for adults
For US domestic flights, passengers over the age of 18 must provide valid identification at the airport to be allowed to travel. While birth certificates are not considered valid IDs for adults, they can be used as supporting evidence if your original ID was lost or stolen. In this case, you must also provide other documents to confirm your identity, and you may be subject to additional screening.
The TSA provides a list of acceptable IDs, which include a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, a state-issued photo identity card, a US passport, a passport card, and a trusted traveler card (e.g., Global Entry or NEXUS). It is important to note that TSA regulations can change without notice, so it is recommended to check the list of acceptable IDs before travelling.
For international travel, a passport is required regardless of age. If you do not have a passport, a birth certificate can be used to obtain one at a passport acceptance facility. However, it is always a good idea to have a valid form of identification when travelling, as some airlines may have specific ID requirements.
It is worth mentioning that the Government of Puerto Rico has invalidated all birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010, and only those issued on or after this date will be accepted as primary evidence of US citizenship.
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Using a birth certificate for children under 2
Minors under the age of 18 do not need to provide identification when travelling within the United States. However, children under the age of 2 can fly for free as a lap child on domestic flights as long as they are accompanied by an adult. While you won't be required to show an ID for the child when passing through security, at check-in the airline may require that you prove that the child is under the age of 2. Unless your child already has a passport that can be used to prove their birth date, you may need to bring a copy of their birth certificate. While some airlines are more lenient than others, it’s always best to come prepared. For example, Southwest Airlines always requires a copy of the birth certificate or government-issued photo ID at check-in if you want your child to fly as a lap child.
If you are travelling internationally, minors under the age of 18 must present the same travel documents as adults. Children or infants travelling outside the US are required to have the same documentation as an adult. If anyone under 18 is travelling internationally without both parents, they may be required to present a Letter of Consent.
If you are travelling domestically with a baby, there are some special requirements depending on their age. Most airlines will allow infants under 14 days old to fly as long as certain conditions are met. You can produce a passenger medical form, signed by a physician, stating that the baby is healthy enough to fly. You may also need a copy of the baby’s birth certificate as proof of age, and you or the person accompanying the infant must be older than 16 and seated in the same cabin as the baby.
If your child is under 2 years old and has their own seat, they may be required to use a safety seat. Most safety seats that are approved for use in motor vehicles are acceptable for use in aircraft. The seat must have a solid back and seat, restraint straps installed to securely hold the child and a label indicating approval for use on an aircraft.
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Obtaining a passport with a birth certificate
To obtain a passport with a birth certificate, you must be a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization, or a qualifying U.S. non-citizen national. The application process for a passport book and a passport card is the same. You will need to fill out Form DS-11, which can be done online, or you can download and print it, or you can pick up the form from your local passport acceptance facility or regional agency. You will need to pay two fees: one to the U.S. Department of State and one to the facility where you submit your application. You can pay by check or money order made out to the "U.S. Department of State", with the applicant's name and date of birth in the memo section. If you want faster expedited service, you can add $60 to your application fee. You must submit your application, documents, and fees in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility, which could be a library or post office. Some facilities require appointments or have limited hours.
If you are applying with a birth certificate, it must be a long-form, U.S. state/territory-issued, certified/sealed birth certificate. It must show the seal or stamp from the city, county, or state of birth which issued it, the applicant's full name, date of birth, place of birth, and the date filed with the registrar's office (within one year of birth). It must also have the registrar's signature. If you are applying for a child's passport, both parents or guardians must bring a physical, photo ID, and if the name on the document is different from the applicant's name, you must submit proof of your legal name change. If you are applying with a Puerto Rican birth certificate, it must have been issued on or after July 1, 2010.
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TSA requirements for birth certificates
To enrol in the TSA PreCheck® program, you must provide documentation to meet identity and citizenship requirements. The TSA will accept the following birth records:
- A long-form U.S. state/territory-issued certified/sealed Birth Certificate.
- A U.S. state/territory-issued certified/sealed Birth Abstract that meets the requirements of a Birth Certificate. Please note that Birth Registration/Certificate of Birth Registration records are not acceptable.
- A birth certification card that meets the requirements of a Birth Certificate or abstract. Birth Registration or Notification cards are not acceptable.
- An electronic "Birth Certify" birth record obtained through NAPHSIS/EVVE.
The birth certificate must list the full names of the parents (first and last name; the middle name is not required). "Unknown" entries for one or both parents are acceptable, as long as the parent name fields are present. Additionally, a blank space or asterisks in the space where a mother's and/or father's name would be listed will be deemed acceptable, since there is no standard input across agencies to indicate that one or both parents are unknown. It must also have the signature of the city, county, or state official or registrar, the date filed with the registrar's office, and the seal of the issuing authority (seals may appear but are not required to be printed).
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Passengers should either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices. Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID-compliant at TSA checkpoints and who do not have another acceptable alternative form of ID will be notified of their non-compliance, may be directed to a separate area, and may receive additional screening.
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REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses
As per the TSA guidelines, adult passengers aged 18 and over must present valid identification at the airport to be allowed to travel. From May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state-issued ID will have a star in the top right corner. This REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to set minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards.
To obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, you must provide proof of identity, such as a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) if you are not a U.S. citizen. You must also provide proof of a Social Security number, such as a Social Security card, Form W-2, pay stub, or paycheck. Finally, you will need to prove your residency with a deed, mortgage statement, lease agreement, utility bill, or bank statement. The requirements may vary depending on the state, so it is advisable to check with your state's driver's licensing agency website for specific information.
It is important to note that a birth certificate alone may not be sufficient as a primary form of identification at the airport. However, it can be used as proof of identity when applying for a REAL ID-compliant driver's license. Additionally, a long-form state-issued certified/sealed birth certificate may be accepted as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship, but this is only the case for Puerto Rican birth certificates issued on or after July 1, 2010, due to enhanced security features to combat passport fraud and identity theft.
If you do not possess a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, you may be denied boarding on domestic flights and entry to certain federal facilities. However, there are alternative forms of identification that may be accepted, such as a state-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID). These are issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont and are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards.
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Frequently asked questions
No, a birth certificate is not considered a valid form of identification for adults at the airport. However, it can be used as supporting evidence if your original ID was lost or stolen.
Children under 18 do not need to provide identification if they are travelling with an adult domestically. However, some form of identification, such as a birth certificate, may be required to prove your child's age if they are under 2 and sitting on your lap.
Yes, a birth certificate is an essential document to obtain a passport.
For domestic travel, a US passport, passport card, trusted traveler card, driver's license, or other state-issued photo ID cards are accepted. For international travel, a passport is required.
