Children's ID for travel to Dublin

[ithappened]

I have flights booked with British Airways to travel to Dublin from the UK. I know that I am able to travel either using my UK passport or photo ID.

However, my son (age 4) does not have photo ID (his passport has not arrived in time). Will he be able to travel with me with just his birth certificate for ID? Does anyone have any experience of this?

I have contacted BA twice and they have been unable to answer the question which I find unbelievable.

Apparently each airline can make their own rules about this and although others publish this on their websites, unfortunately BA don't.

Has anyone travelled to Southern Ireland with BA and not had photo ID for a child!

Thank you!

You don't need a passport officially, but you do need ID.
Irish government website is helpful but it may depend on whoever is on duty so it won't be straightforward.

www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/top-passport-questions/to-travel-between-britain-and-ireland/

Thank you.
As you say it isn't straightforward sadly!
Other airlines state that children don't need the photo ID but unfortunately BA don't state either way.
I really can't risk being turned away at check in!

You could fly to Belfast and drive to Ireland (coach or hire care). Btw it’s really not called Southern Ireland- just a friendly fyi

Sorry, yes I should have put Republic of Ireland.
Have already booked flights but Belfast is a good option, thank you

According to the Aer Lingus site kids under 16 don’t need separate ID when travelling with parents. They partner with BA so it should be the same. Try ringing them if it would make you feel happier

I think a birth cert for children is sufficient according to the government but obv each airline has their own rules. Ryanair only allow passports. Thats ridiculous that you can't get an answer from them but its a good idea to print out the relevant page from the aer lingus website and show it to them since they are partners. Also, check if you are on an aer lingus plane or a BA plane.

maybe you can switch to an aer lingus flight.

this is 7 years old but might be helpful

www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowTopic-g186591-i88-k8171065-Child_s_id_to_fly_Dublin_to_London_with_British_Airways-Ireland.html

Thanks everyone.

I think it is an Aer Lingus plane and as you say, they state that children don't need photo ID. It would seem madness to not let us on the same plane because we booked with BA!

I'm going to try phoning BA again tomorrow and hope that third time lucky someone can answer the question!

If not, buying new flights is a possibility but I would obviously like to avoid that if it isn't absolutely necessary.

I think you will be ok but totally ridiculous that BA don’t know what their own policy is

@Rebecca34
The trip advisor link is interesting. The info on the BA website is still exactly the same, suggesting that photo ID possibly is required. Promising that someone else had managed to travel without it though.

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I had a similar question: we're travelling to Ireland with my nine year old at the start of August. She has a passport but it's due to expire at the end of Sept. Most places require at least 3 months on a passport for entry, but I assume she will be ok based on the above? It's the common travel area so just for the purpose of ID? It would be a shame to spend the £126 to fast track renewal plus the hassle of getting to Newport if it's not actually necessary... Thanks for any insight, advice and experience.

Can't you just renew the passport? I've done three in the last couple of months and they've taken no more than a fortnight each time.

Really? Just through the regular renewal service? I assumed it would take too long as they say to budget ten weeks, but I'm really happy if they're much speedier than that!

Just normal renewal done online.

Ok, amazing! I'll send it off Monday.