Do kids need their own boarding pass?

Minors under the age of 18 will not need ID to pass through security, they only need a boarding pass to board the plane if they are accompanied by an adult. Although it isn't required, it may feel weird traveling without some sort of ID for your kids.



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A boarding pass is required for a lap child. You can add a lap infant to your reservation by calling the airline or online when selecting passengers during the booking process.

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You can have both on one phone, but if there are two adults who understand how to add something to their phone wallet, it's faster for each adult to have their own pass. But you can have more than one per phone, and I've done that for my child.

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Children 17 and under who will be traveling alone or without a TSA PreCheck®-eligible parent or guardian must apply for TSA PreCheck® to have access to expedited screening. To learn more about TSA Precheck, please visit the TSA website.

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If that is not the case, or a minor is traveling alone, they'll need their own TSA PreCheck membership to use the designated lanes at airport security. As of May 2023, the application fee is the same for adults and children: $78.

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Just like before, children between 2- and 12-years-old just have to be accompanied by a legal guardian enrolled in the program, no matter what. Kids between 13 and 17 years old just need to be on the same reservation as the accompanying adult.

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Technically your spouse can't go through the TSA PreCheck lane without their own account. In some instances, however, security may allow them through when it's clear that their boarding passes match yours as the primary account holder.

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Check-in and required documents Children traveling alone can't check in online or at the kiosk. You'll need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. This form must remain with your child during their journey.

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Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction. Children 13-17 may join enrolled adults when traveling on the same reservation and if the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child's boarding pass.

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The application fee for TSA PreCheck® is $78 for 5 years.

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The TSA PreCheck® Application Program is only open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. Applicants may be ineligible due to incomplete or false application information, certain violations of federal security regulations, or disqualifying criminal offenses and factors.

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The opportunity to pass through security faster can extend to the whole family when parents or guardians with TSA PreCheck are traveling with their children 17 and younger. If everyone gets the TSA PreCheck symbol on their boarding pass, shoes can stay on and carry-on bags can stay packed.

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The best way to get TSA PreCheck for free is by carrying an eligible credit card. Dozens of credit cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee if you use that card to pay upfront. Here's a quick overview of some of these cards.

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However, the answer is yes to the question Can I add TSA PreCheck to an existing reservation? You must update existing flights and your airline loyalty program profiles to be able to use the dedicated airport security lanes for PreCheck members.

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Planning your trip
  • Infants on lap. Children under two can sit on a parent's lap during flights to any destination.
  • Infant seats. Alternatively, infants can have their own seat if you bring an approved car seat.
  • All other kids. Children older than two will need a ticket and their own seat on the plane.


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On most major airlines, kids must be at least five years old to fly alone, yet recently, infants as young as 11 months have been seated away from their parents. This week, major airlines have finally announced new policies to prevent families from being separated in the air.

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