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.

For domestic flights within the United States in 2026, a newborn baby (under 2 years old) typically does not require a formal government photo ID like a passport or state ID. However, most airlines require proof of age to verify that the child is indeed an infant, especially if they are traveling as a "lap child." The most commonly accepted document is a certified copy of the birth certificate. Some airlines may also accept a hospital-issued birth record or an immunization record for very young infants who haven't received their official certificate yet. If you are flying internationally, the rules change completely: every person, regardless of age, must have their own valid passport. It is important to check with your specific airline at least 48 hours before travel, as some may have unique requirements for "proof of relationship" if the parent and infant have different last names. Additionally, for newborns under 7 to 14 days old, many airlines require a "fit to fly" letter from a pediatrician to ensure the baby’s respiratory and circulatory systems can handle the cabin pressure.