The Alberta government is making its photo ID cards available to children as young as 12 as a result of new Transport Canada rules that now require children to show identification to board aircraft.

The new Identity Screening Regulations, which take full effect Sept. 18, 2007, require all passengers planning to travel on Canadian domestic flights, who appear to be 12 years of age or older, to present the following ID before boarding:

     One piece of valid government-issued photo ID that shows name, date of birth,
     and gender.

     or 

     Two pieces of valid government-issued ID (without a photo), one of which shows
     name, date of birth, and gender.

The name on the identification must match the name on the boarding pass.

The cards can be bought from Alberta registry offices for fees ranging from $12 for a one-year card to $39 for a five-year card.

Children applying for the cards must have their parent's written consent and present a birth certificate.

Alberta law prevents people from holding two government-issued photo ID cards at the same time, so children will have to turn in their cards if they later apply for learners' permits or drivers' licences.