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.

Yes, Southwest Airlines requires a valid government-issued photo ID for all passengers aged 18 and older, as mandated by TSA security regulations. In 2026, the "gold standard" for domestic travel is a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or a valid passport. If you arrive at the airport without an ID, the TSA may still allow you to fly if they can verify your identity through a secondary screening process involving public records and a physical pat-down, but this can take over an hour and is not guaranteed. For children under 18 traveling domestically with an adult, Southwest generally does not require a photo ID, though having a birth certificate is a high-value strategy if the child appears to be near the "Lap Child" age limit of 2 years. Note that as of early 2026, many Southwest kiosks now feature biometric "Touchless ID" scanners that can verify your identity using facial recognition if you have opted-in through your Rapid Rewards profile, making the traditional "ID check" at the gate much faster.