Do Kids Need ID to Fly in India?
Allowed
Infants under 2 need birth certificate copies; children 2-12 need school ID, Aadhaar, or passport. Teenagers should carry government photo ID.
Quick answer
CISF guards are trained to verify a minorās age before letting them into the terminal. They look for proof that the baby really qualifies for lap-seat travel or that the 11-year-old booked the correct fare. Without a document, you may have to step aside until another family member brings one.
For international flights, every childāeven six-month-oldsāmust have their own passport. Several embassies also ask for a letter of consent when only one parent is travelling. Prepare those papers ahead of time so you are not printing forms frantically at the airport.
Use a simple folder labelled āKids Travel Packā with plastic sleeves for certificates, vaccination cards, and consent letters. Handing over a neat bundle reassures officers and speeds up the queue for families behind you.
Documents per age band
- āInfants (0ā2): Birth certificate, hospital discharge summary, or vaccination booklet with date of birth.
- āChildren (2ā12): School ID, Aadhaar, or passport with recent photo.
- āTeens (13ā17): Aadhaar, passport, PAN, or driving learnerās licence where applicable.
If travelling with one parent/guardian
- āConsent letter signed by the non-travelling parent + their ID copy.
- āCourt order or notarised affidavit if you have sole custody.
- āEmergency contacts of relatives at destination for airline forms.
Common kid-travel scenarios
| Scenario | Accepted ID | Extra steps |
|---|---|---|
| Infant on lap | Birth certificate copy | Note infant name + age on PNR |
| School trip | School ID + consent letter | Teacher carries group manifest |
| UMNR (solo minor) | Passport/Aadhaar | Submit airline UMNR form + guardian contact |
Do this
- ā Pack originals and copies in separate sleeves so spills or misplaced bags do not ruin everything.
- ā Explain the process to older kids so they confidently answer security questions.
- ā Attach ID-sized photos of the child to the consent letter to avoid doubt.
Avoid this
- ā ļø Donāt rely on digital photos stored in your gallery; CISF expects physical or DigiLocker IDs.
- ā ļø Avoid last-minute bookings without adding the childās full name exactly as on the ID.
- ā ļø Do not send a minor alone without reading the airlineās unaccompanied minor rulesāeach carrier has different age cut-offs.
FAQ
Q. Is a photo of the birth certificate acceptable?
Carry the physical document or a DigiLocker-issued certificate. Plain phone snaps are easy to edit, so security teams reject them.
Q. What if the child recently cut their hair and looks different?
Bring the most recent photo ID you have and carry a few passport photos. Officers are understanding if you can prove continuity through other documents (school fee card, vaccination booklet).
Q. Do NRIs need to show OCI cards?
If the child is travelling on an Indian passport, the regular rules apply. If they use a foreign passport, carry the OCI or visa printout along with their passport and consent letters.
Tips before you fly
- āļø Keep snacks and colouring sheets handy; a calm child makes ID checks faster.
- āļø Use matching luggage tags for the family so kids can spot their bags quickly.
- āļø Snap a group photo at the airport entranceāhelpful if someone wanders off and CISF asks for clothing description.
Related YourTravelGuide guides
Official references
India DGCA guidelines ā simplified
Verified on: 5 Dec 2025
Disclaimer: Aviation and security rules change frequently. Always confirm with your airline, airport help desk, or CISF officers before you travel.