Passports are necessary for international flights.
But what about domestic flights? Do they follow the same identity document regulations?
In this article, we’ll have a close look at what documents are necessary for flying across Canada.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What do you need to fly within Canada?
- Identity documents required for Canadian citizens
- Identity documents required of non-Canadians
- What documents does a child need to fly within Canada?
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Interested in Canadian ID documents? Have a look at these related articles:
- Canadian Passport Renewal—All You Need to Know
- Renew PR Card: A Guide Through All The Options
- Applying for a Child Passport—Do Both Parents Need to Be Present?
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know to fly in Canada stress-free!
What do you need to fly within Canada?
Flying domestically requires much fewer documents than international air travel.
That being said—
There are still some requirements you have to follow while taking a domestic flight. The list of documents varies depending on your age and citizenship.
Below we’ll list all types of IDs you can use when flying across Canada.
Identity documents required of Canadian citizens
Every passenger must show an ID at the boarding gate. Those carrying a Canadian identification can choose one of the two options:
- One government-issued photo ID showing the holder’s full name and date of birth (e.g., a valid Canadian passport or a Canadian driver’s licence), or
- Two valid non-photo IDs issued by the Canadian government authority. One of these identification documents must show your full name and date of birth (e.g., birth certificate or marriage certificate).
Note: Canadians can no longer show their hunting, fishing, or boating licenses as a form of identification.
Identity documents required of non-Canadians
Foreign nationals (those without Canadian citizenship) can present their travel documents while flying domestically, for example, the ones they used to enter Canada, or any government-issued immigration documents.
Some of the acceptable documents for domestic flights include:
- Enhanced Driver’s License
- US Permanent Resident Card
- A NEXUS card
- A valid passport
- A permanent resident card
Important: The full name on your international travel document must match the name that appears on your boarding pass.
What documents does a child need to fly within Canada?
Parents or legal guardians are always advised to carry a valid identification document for their child.
In the case of Canadian domestic flights, the authorities must see a document that can act as a proof of age for children and minors under 18.
An original birth certificate issued by the Canadian government will always be the best choice, but other non-government issued document will also work, for example, a student card.
Key takeaways
To sum up—
You don’t need a passport to fly domestically in Canada. But you still need to show a proper ID, preferably with a photo, to Canadian authorities. Otherwise, you may be denied boarding.
Canadians can choose between one photo ID or two no-photo IDs. Non-Canadian citizens can use their travel documents. Every child and minor under 18 should have a document confirming their age, although that’s not mandatory. All documents presented to authorities must be valid.
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Roxana is a writer with 3+ years of experience. As a Master in psycholinguistics, she blends her passion for language and communication with insights from diverse cultures, making her content resonate with a broad audience.
