Do Kids Need ID to Travel on Amtrak?

Amtrak has specific requirements for minor passengers. Typically, ID isn't required for minors under 15 if they're traveling with an adult. However, after the age of 15, minors are required to show government-issued ID in order to ride Amtrak unaccompanied by an adult. Passports, drivers licenses and military IDs are also acceptable forms of identification for Amtrak.

All Amtrak passengers are required to carry ID in order to travel on Amtrak. This includes children as well. However, there are specific instances when ID isn't required for children. Conversely, there are specific situations when minors do need ID to travel as a passenger on Amtrak. Children under the age of 15 may be issued an Amtrak ticket without the need for ID, if accompanied by an adult. Typically, a ticket can be purchased for an accompanied minor beginning at eight years old. Babies and children under five years old ride free.

Amtrak's ID Policy

All adult passengers are required to carry government-issued ID to travel on Amtrak. However, minors under the age of 15 can ride Amtrak without an ID if accompanied by an adult. All Amtrak passengers 18 and over, as well as all unaccompanied minors age 15 and over, are required to show a government-issued I.D. Acceptable forms of ID include a passport, driver's license or military I.D.

Can Children Ride Amtrak without ID?

Accompanied minors can ride Amtrak without an ID. Also, unaccompanied minors 14 and under can ride Amtrak without an ID. Minors between the ages of 13 and 15 fall under the unaccompanied minors policy if traveling without an adult. Children under age 13 are too young to travel as unaccompanied minors, according to Amtraks travel policy.

Does a Minor Need ID to Travel on Amtrak Unaccompanied by an Adult?

Minor passengers can travel unaccompanied by an adult from the age of 13. However, minors age 15 and up must have photo identification. Starting at age 15, photo identification is required to ride Amtrak, but minors 14 and under can travel as unaccompanied minors without ID.

Further questions?

Ask a followup or related question and we will try to provide an answer in seconds.
Christian has been writing about long hold times and customer service call center experiences since 2010. He's been featured in Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal and the Boston Globe.
Do Kids Need ID to Travel on Amtrak?

Why does GetHuman Write How-to Guides for Amtrak Problems?

GetHuman has been working for over 10 years on sourcing information about big organizations like Amtrak in order to help customers resolve customer service issues faster. We started with contact information and fastest ways to reach a human at big companies. Particularly ones with slow or complicated IVR or phone menu systems. Or companies that have self-serve help forums instead of a customer service department. From there, we realized that consumers still needed more detailed help solving the most common problems, so we expanded to this set of guides, which grows every day. And if you spot any issues with our Do Kids Need ID to Travel on Amtrak? guide, please let us know by sending us feedback. We want to be as helpful as possible. If you appreciated this guide, please share it with your favorite people. Our free information and tools is powered by you, the customer. The more people that use it, the better it gets.

Amtrak

Asked 3 years ago
Updated 2 years ago
Viewed 2,166,176 times
Amtrak
ID for minors on Amtrak
Amtrak minors
Amtrak ID policy for Minors
Was this page helpful?YesNeeds work
Sharing is what powers GetHuman's free customer service contact information and tools. You can help!