[nee18]

I know many of you have flown with your little ones before, so I thought I'd come to you for advice. We're going to be flying United soon with our little guy. On the website, it says that we may be required to show a birth certificate to prove he's under 2. My question: can I just bring a copy or do I need the official copy that we have locked away?

[loveajax]

I think a copy would be fine. My DD flew four or five times before she was two, and I was shocked that they never asked for the BC. Have a great trip!

[nee18]

Thanks! That's good to know!

[sambob]

I would bring the original, especially if traveling when they are close to 2, or when their age could be in question. You might not get away with a copy.

[SupaModel]

I have flown 6 times so far with DS and have NEVER been asked for a BC. It was United and US Air flights too.

[yehudit]

We have travelled with little ones many times and have never been asked to show a BC or any proof of age. However, we have not flown United so I don't know their policies. In any case, I'm sure a copy is fine if you want to be on the safe side. A friend once showd me how she made a copy of her kids' BC, shrank it, and had it laminated to the size of a credit card. She kept it in her wallet for such situations.

Good luck,

[Nevada Jen]

A copy will be just fine. Its always good to bring it because it can really mess you up if they only ask for iton your return flight. We have been asked a few times on continental at Newark airport and once by SOuthwest (we fly a lot).

[gigigeorge]

We are always asked when we have Ellie as a lap child, we have used a copy of her original bc, her adoption decree, her passport... anything that shows she is ours and under 2 years of age...

gina.

[DebCsMom]

We flew MANY times when our kids were under 2 and we were asked EVERYTIME to show an original birth certificate! It may be because we are white and our children are AA, I don't know. Make sure we weren't kidnapping kids I guess! LOL We also had to provide adoption papers before the adoptions were finalized.

Deb

[Nevada Jen]

Its extremely odd to me that there is such a huge difference in experiences! I guess I would be carting around the original BC with me in that case.

[nee18]

Thanks for everyone's replies! We got the official birth certificate out of our lockbox today to take instead of the copy so we should be covered. I probably would have just taken the copy had I not read everyone's replies, though, so thanks! Now I know we're good to go (hopefully).

[waitingforanangel]

I just returned from a trip with my 7 month old, and I scanned a color copy of the birth certificate. However, they never asked for it. I'm sure a copy will be fine. Have a great trip!