Does my 15 year old need an ID to fly Southwest?

Will minors need an ID to fly domestically? Neither Southwest Airlines nor the TSA require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. There is, however, an exception for Unaccompanied Minors traveling on Southwest Airlines.



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Child age at the time of unaccompanied travel Children ages 15-17 are permitted to travel as a standard passenger, Go to footer note, provided they can present a valid ID to security personnel. If parents or guardians prefer, they can also travel as an unaccompanied minor.

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Employees may ask for age verification at any point, so please travel with a copy or original form of any government-issued ID, such as a birth certificate or passport for your child. A medical release for travel is required for any infant under 14 days old.

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You do not need id to check in at Southwest. You need a confirmation number and your name. You can get that by logging in to your account or by referring to the e-mail that Southwest sent you when you completed the booking. If you don't know how to do that you can check in by using a credit card at the airport.

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Original or photocopies of government-issued identification (e.g., passport, birth certificate, government-issued photo identification card) are the only acceptable forms of proof of age.

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Original or photocopies of government-issued identification (e.g., passport, birth certificate, government-issued photo identification card) are the only acceptable forms of proof of age. Electronic screen shots, phone images, or immunization records are not acceptable.

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Children traveling with grandparents, cousins, other relatives, or school groups will need to have a signed document, such as a Child Travel Consent, allowing them to travel without a parent or legal guardian.

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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. At check-in, parents / guardians will also need to provide: A birth certificate or passport as proof of the child's age.

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For domestic flights, children under 18 typically do not need personal identification. The ID of the accompanying responsible adult will suffice.

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On arrival your child will be escorted to a parent or guardian waiting to collect them (ID will be required). Children aged 12 and above: Children over 12 (15 for some airlines) can travel alone but the Unaccompanied Minor Service is available for an extra charge.

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The minimum age for children to travel alone as adults paying adult fares varies: Kids have to be 12 years old to fly alone on domestic flights with Hawaiian, Southwest, Air Canada, and WestJet; 13 years old on Alaska; 14 years old to fly as an adult on JetBlue; and 15 years old on Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, ...

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Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.

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For customers flying solely within the UK, including Northern Ireland, a passport is not required, but customers must produce valid/in-date photographic ID when travelling, such as a passport or driving licence (full or provisional), employment ID, military card, residency card, etc.

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Re: Airport Checkin Required? This usually occurs if you book a special fare such as a senior or child fare that requires age verification. I think it's also possible if all standard boarding positions have already been assigned and the system can't assign you a position.

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If you only have an expired passport, you can still bring it along for domestic travel within the United States, but you must convince TSA officers that you are who you say you are. However, if you're traveling internationally, you must have a valid passport.

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An expired passport is invalid. If you are traveling back to the United States on a direct flight, you can fly with an expired passport. However, this only applies if you get the go-ahead from the relevant embassy. However, you cannot fly out of the country with an expired passport.

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