REAL ID for Kids: Do Children Need One in 2026?

TL;DR

Children under 18 do not need a REAL ID — or any ID — to fly domestically. TSA only requires the adult companion to present an accepted ID at the checkpoint. Kids can get a REAL ID-compliant state ID if you want one, but for most families, a U.S. passport is more practical: it works for domestic flights, international travel, and serves as proof of identity and citizenship for years ahead.

At a glance

• TSA domestic flight rule: passengers under 18 need NO ID — only the adult does
• Can kids get a REAL ID? Yes — most states issue compliant minor IDs
• Best document for most kids: U.S. passport (5-year validity under 16; 10-year at 16+)
• Passport fee (under 16): $135 gov fee (DS-11 first-time) — both parents must appear
• Unaccompanied minors: check airline policy — TSA rules and airline rules differ

Why this question comes up

REAL ID enforcement started on May 7, 2025, and the coverage has mostly focused on adult travelers scrambling to upgrade their driver’s licenses. But plenty of parents are now asking: “Does my 10-year-old need a REAL ID to get through security?”

The short answer is no — and understanding exactly why is useful, because there are edge cases that matter.

For full context on enforcement, see REAL ID Deadline 2026: Is It Really In Effect?.

The TSA rule for passengers under 18

TSA’s official policy is clear: children under 18 are not required to show ID at domestic airport security checkpoints. The ID requirement applies to adults only.

This means:

• A 6-year-old flying with a parent goes through the TSA checkpoint without any documentation beyond what the parent carries.
• A 15-year-old traveling with a grandparent or another adult follows the same rule — the adult needs valid ID, the teen does not.
• A 17-year-old flying alone does not have to present an ID to TSA.

The DHS REAL ID FAQ confirms this: “TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion.”

This rule is specific to domestic flights and TSA checkpoints. International flights are different — every passenger of every age needs a valid passport for international air travel.

When an airline’s unaccompanied minor rules apply

TSA’s checkpoint rule and an airline’s boarding policies are separate things. Most major U.S. airlines have their own unaccompanied minor (UM) programs with age-specific rules and documentation requirements. These programs typically apply to children traveling without any adult companion.

Common airline unaccompanied minor requirements:

• A form completed by the sending parent/guardian and verified by the airline at check-in
• The name and contact information of the adult picking the child up at the destination
• Some airlines require a copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport (even though TSA doesn’t)

If your child will fly without you or another adult, check the specific airline’s unaccompanied minor policy directly. Requirements vary by airline and by the child’s age. Most airlines have age thresholds — under 5 often can’t fly unaccompanied at all; 5–14 typically go through a paid UM program; some airlines let 15+ fly as regular passengers.

Can children get a REAL ID-compliant state ID?

Yes. Most states issue REAL ID-compliant IDs to minors. The process and document requirements are essentially the same as for adults:

1. Proof of identity: a certified birth certificate is the most common option for children. A U.S. passport also qualifies.
2. Proof of Social Security number: the child’s Social Security card, or a document showing their full SSN.
3. Two proofs of state address: for minors, a parent’s utility bill, bank statement, or lease at the child’s home address is used. The parent’s name and the child’s address on the same documents typically qualifies.
4. Legal name-change documents if applicable (adoption, court order, etc.)

State-specific age rules vary slightly. Some states issue minor IDs as early as age 5. A few states require parental consent in person at the DMV counter.

For the full document rundown, see REAL ID Requirements: Documents Every State Accepts.

Passport vs REAL ID for children: which makes more sense?

For most families, a U.S. passport is the more useful document to get for a child — even though neither is required for domestic flights. Here’s why.

A child’s passport:

• Works for domestic flights (as an accepted federal ID at TSA checkpoints)
• Works for all international air travel
• Works as strong proof of identity and citizenship for everything else — school enrollment, sports leagues, bank accounts, summer programs
• Under age 16: valid for 5 years; over 16: valid for 10 years

A REAL ID-compliant minor state ID:

• Works for domestic flights once the child is 18+ (the only age TSA requires ID)
• Useful as a local photo ID before driving age
• Typically cheaper than a passport
• Requires a DMV visit; some states have long appointment waits

The practical argument for the passport comes down to versatility. A family that might take an international trip in the next several years — a cruise, a trip to Canada or Mexico, a visit to family abroad — will need the passport anyway. Getting it now saves a duplicate trip later. For the passport card vs book decision, the book is usually recommended for children since it covers air travel internationally.

Newborns and infants: what they need

Newborns do not need any ID for domestic flights. The TSA rule covering passengers under 18 applies from birth.

For international travel, every traveler of every age needs a U.S. passport — including newborns. A six-week-old needs their own passport before traveling abroad by air. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the newborn passport process, see Passport for a Newborn: Step-by-Step.

If you’re planning a closed-loop cruise (embarks and returns to the same U.S. port), infants can travel on a certified birth certificate alone. But a passport is the safer option — especially if there’s any chance of a medical emergency requiring unexpected international travel.

Children’s passport: the key rules

First-time passports for children under 16 require both parents to appear in person at a passport acceptance facility with:

• Form DS-11 (never been signed — do not sign before the acceptance agent tells you to)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship (certified birth certificate)
• Proof of parental relationship (typically the birth certificate)
• One passport photo meeting State Dept. requirements
• Government fees (verify current amounts at travel.state.gov)

If one parent cannot attend, a notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) must be provided. For children whose parents have sole custody, the custody documentation must be presented.

For children 16 and older, the standard adult DS-11 process applies, but parental consent is still recommended.

Renewals for children under 16 must also go through the DS-11 in-person process (they can’t renew by mail the way adults can). See Children’s Passport Renewal Rules (Under 16) for renewal specifics.

Common pitfalls

• Assuming a child needs ID for a domestic flight. They don’t. Only the adult companion needs an accepted ID.
• Relying on the TSA rule for airline unaccompanied minor programs. TSA and airlines are separate. If your child flies alone, check the airline’s documentation requirements — they’re stricter than TSA’s.
• Getting a REAL ID minor card when a passport would be more useful. If you’re doing the DMV trip anyway and travel internationally is likely, a passport does more.
• Forgetting that DS-11 requires both parents in person for children under 16. If one parent is traveling, unavailable, or unresponsive, the DS-3053 consent form and notarization adds a step.
• Not accounting for the child’s passport validity. Under-16 passports expire in 5 years. Many families are caught off-guard when a family trip reveals an expired child’s passport. Set a calendar reminder when you get it.
• Waiting to apply before an international trip. Processing times for new child passports follow the same routine/expedited schedule as adult passports. Apply well in advance.

What to do next

For domestic-only travel with your kids, you don’t need to do anything — no ID required for passengers under 18. If international travel is on your horizon, getting each child a passport now is the right call. It covers every domestic trip too, and under-16 passports last five years.

We can handle your child’s passport application from start to finish — form review, photo check, and expedited processing if you need it quickly. Start a passport application for your child and we’ll guide you through the DS-11 process.

Frequently asked questions

Do kids need a REAL ID to fly domestically?

No. TSA does not require passengers under 18 to present any ID for domestic flights. Only the adult companion must show accepted ID at the checkpoint.

Can children get a REAL ID?

Yes. Most states issue REAL ID-compliant state IDs to minors. The process is the same as for adults, using the child’s birth certificate, Social Security number, and a parent’s address documents.

What ID does an unaccompanied minor need to fly?

TSA itself doesn’t require ID from unaccompanied minors, but airlines have their own policies. Check your airline’s unaccompanied minor program — some request a birth certificate or passport regardless of TSA rules.

Is a passport better than a REAL ID for a child?

For most families, yes. A child’s passport works for domestic flights, all international travel, and serves as strong proof of identity and citizenship. It’s also often simpler to obtain than navigating DMV appointments in high-demand states.

How long is a child’s passport valid?

Children under 16 receive passports valid for 5 years. Children 16 and older receive 10-year passports, the same as adults.

Does a newborn need any ID to fly domestically?

No. Newborns and infants under 18 do not need any ID to fly domestically. For international travel, every passenger — including infants — needs their own U.S. passport.

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Sources: TSA Identification requirements, DHS REAL ID FAQ, State Dept. passports for minors under 16. Verified April 2026.