Typically, minors under the age of 18 do not have to present identification for domestic U.S. travel. Airlines will accept identification from the responsible adult on behalf of the minor(s). For international travel, minors under the age of 18 must present the same travel documents as the adult.

For domestic flights within the United States, children under the age of 18 are not required to provide a government-issued photo ID at the TSA security checkpoint. Instead, the airline and TSA rely on the adult traveling with them to verify their identity, and their name must simply match the name on their boarding pass. While not mandatory, many parents carry a copy of the child's birth certificate or a student ID as a backup, especially for "lap infants" to prove they are under the age of two. In 2026, even as the REAL ID Act is fully enforced for adults, the exemption for minors remains in place for domestic travel. For international flights, however, the rules are strictly different: every child, regardless of age (even newborns), must have their own valid passport to board the plane and pass through customs. Additionally, if a child is traveling with only one parent or a guardian, many countries and airlines require a notarized "Consent to Travel" letter from the non-present parent to prevent international parental child abduction.