Can I bring a kids' passport on a plane?
Yes, you can bring a kids' passport on a plane. A passport is a travel document, not a restricted item. It is permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage on all airlines worldwide. However, always keep your child's passport in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage.
- United States: Kids' passports are permitted in carry-on and checked bags. Children under 18 do not need ID for domestic flights, but a passport is required for international travel. Keep it in your carry-on.
- Canada: Kids' passports are permitted in carry-on and checked bags. A passport or ID card is required for international travel. Keep it accessible.
- Europe and United Kingdom: Kids' passports are permitted in carry-on and checked bags. Every child, including newborns, must have their own passport for international travel. Keep it in your carry-on.
- Gulf Region: Kids' passports are permitted in carry-on and checked bags. Every family member, including children, needs a separate passport for travel to GCC countries and beyond.
- Turkey: Kids' passports are permitted in carry-on and checked bags. Every child must have their own passport for international travel.
- Asia-Pacific: Kids' passports are permitted in carry-on and checked bags. Every child must have their own passport for international travel. Keep it in your carry-on.
Traveling soon? See our Travel Essentials page.
Detailed Answer
Is a Passport a Prohibited Item?
No. A passport is a travel document. It is not a weapon, a liquid, a sharp object, or a hazardous material. It is permitted in carry-on and checked bags on every airline. The TSA, CATSA, EU authorities, and every major aviation regulator allow passports.
Carry-On vs. Checked Baggage
Always keep your child's passport in your carry-on bag. Never pack it in checked luggage. Checked bags can be lost, delayed, or stolen. If your child's passport is in a checked bag that goes missing, you will have no way to prove their identity or citizenship at your destination.
Your child's passport should be in the same bag as your own passport. Keep them together in a secure, accessible pocket. You will need to present them at check-in, at security, and at border control.
Domestic vs. International Travel
For domestic flights within the United States, children under 18 do not need any ID. A passport is not required. For international travel, every child, including newborns, must have their own valid passport.
In the European Union, the rule is the same. Since 2012, every individual, regardless of age, must have their own travel document. Children can no longer be included in a parent's passport.
Real Traveler Experiences
"I always keep my daughter's passport in my carry-on with mine. I would never check it. If our bags got lost, we would be stuck at the border with no way to prove who she is." US traveler, forum post
"At check-in in Dubai, the agent asked for my son's passport. I had it ready in my hand. It is a separate document from mine, so I had to have it accessible." UAE traveler, travel review
Pro Tips
- Keep your child's passport in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage
- Store your child's passport with your own passport for easy access
- Check the passport expiration date before you travel. Many countries require six months of validity
- For international travel, ensure your child has any required visas
- If you are traveling with only one parent, carry a notarized consent letter from the other parent
Related Questions
- Can I change my seat after check-in?
- Can I ask for free snacks on a plane?
- Can I bring two personal items on a plane?
Sources
- TSA: What Can I Bring? - Passports
- Frontier Airlines: What identification or documents do I need in order to travel?
- CATSA: Passport Requirements
- Prague Airport: Children's Travel Documents
- Avinor: Traveling with children
- Okaz: Family Record Is Not a Travel Document
- Civil Aviation Administration of China: Air Travel Tips
AskTravel.org gives you the answer first, then the detail. Every answer is built from official sources and updated when rules change. See how we answer: How We Answer.
AskTravel.org is an information website only. Always check local regulations and operator policies before traveling, as rules change frequently.
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