My parents are flying out to Zion, Grand Canyon, Bryce this summer. Does my son need a picture ID to travel by air with them now?

Does it make a difference in that he is flying with his grandparents and not his parents?

(Sorry I orginally posted under topic "Hawaii" instead of "General Interest"

You should also check to see if he needs a notarized letter from both of you for permission to travel with them. I know taking grandchildren out of the country or a single parent taking a child out of the country requires this letter.

Usualy, kids do not need a photo ID, but do need a notarized letter of permission from BOTH parents to travel with anyone else. But you should double-check with your airline to make sure that they are following this general policy.

FYI, when you choose a topic, whether state or "general interest," that's just for searching. All the messages go to one board, which is where most people lookat the postings.

You didn't state the ages of your kids...that is critical.

THere is a big difference between theID needed for an 8 year old or an 18 year old.

I would check with the airline to be sure.

For what it's worth, my daughter (now 11) flies 6-8 times per year, and we have never needed a picture ID for travel within the US. But sometimes I will take her passport along just to be on the safe side.

I agree with the other posters. Usairways has been asking for my daughters photo id since she was 14 (she's 18 now). We always used her passport also. In fact imho everyone should have a passport (especially children who travel).

My son is 9

There is no percentage in NOT having a photo id of some sort for him, so why not provide it.

In addition, here's something else you might very much want to consider: Give your parents a notarized letter giving them permission to get medical care for him and to discuss his care with physicians, as well as a copy of your health insurance card (both sides), preferably with his name on it. This has always been a good idea, but now that we're in the era of the HIPPA forms for patient privacy, getting care away from home and getting information has become a nightmare. If you're in doubt about exactly what the letter should say, you might talk to the patient representative in your pediatrician's office.

Without it, there could be delay in getting help for your son while they track you down, and your parents would not be able to get information about him without a lot of wrangling and faxes, etc.

soccr: That's a good idea about the health letter. I was going to give them his health card, but a notarized letter sounds good.

I work on a passport too.

I was able to get photo ID's for both of my children at our state DMV. I needed their birth certificates plus my own ID. The ID's are easy for them to carry and I'm not as worried about them losing them as I would a passport.

Found it.

You shouldn't need a photo ID but a letter makes good sense. My 11 year old daughter and I flew two weeks ago--her first flight since 9/11. One change I noticed--every time we went through security and at the ticket counter, they asked her her name and how old she was. They ooked directly at her when they asked the question and made it clear that they wanted her to be the one to answer.

In this day and age it is necessary for there to be a notarized letter authorizing your parents to sign for medical care - accidents do happen .

Knowing kids it wold probably be a good idea to mail it to your parents,. :-B