Applying For Airport Precheck: A Quick Guide

TSA PreCheck® is a program that allows eligible travellers to receive expedited screening at over 200 participating US airports and on more than 80 airlines. It is designed to make the airport security process smoother and more predictable. To apply for TSA PreCheck®, travellers must complete an online application, pay a fee, and visit an enrollment centre to provide documentation and fingerprints. The application fee varies depending on the provider and whether the application is completed online or in person. Once approved, applicants receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) which they can add to their airline reservations.

Online application

To apply for airport pre-check online, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the TSA website

Go to the official TSA website, tsa.gov/precheck, to begin the application process. Here, you will be able to select an enrollment provider that meets your needs and has a location near you.

Step 2: Pre-enrol online

You can pre-enrol online and make an appointment for the in-person process. The online application takes around five minutes to complete. During the online pre-enrolment, you will need to fill out your personal information and submit the application form.

Step 3: Prepare required documentation

Before your in-person appointment, gather the required documentation to prove your identity and citizenship. You will need to provide an original or certified copy of one of the following:

• Unexpired US passport (book or card)
• Unexpired Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC)
• Unexpired Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Card
• Unexpired US Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Unexpired Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
• Permanent Resident Card (often referred to as a "Green Card")
• Unexpired Foreign Passport and immigrant visa with a specific annotation
• Unexpired Re-entry Permit (I-327)

If you do not have any of the above documents, you will need to provide at least two forms of identification, including a valid photo ID and a document that meets citizenship requirements.

Step 4: Complete the in-person appointment

After submitting your online application, you will need to visit an enrollment centre to finalise the process. This step includes providing your biometric data (fingerprints and photo), verifying your identity documents, and paying the application fee. The in-person appointment typically takes around 10 minutes.

Step 5: Receive your Known Traveller Number (KTN)

Once your application is approved, you will receive your Known Traveller Number (KTN). This process usually takes 3-5 days, but some applications may take up to 60 days. You will be notified via email or phone when your KTN is ready, and you can then retrieve it online.

By following these steps, you can complete the online application process for airport pre-check and enjoy the benefits of expedited security screening at participating airports.

In-person appointment

To apply for TSA PreCheck® in person, you can either make an appointment or walk into an enrollment centre without one. There are over 400 TSA PreCheck® application centres nationwide, including at many airports, and over 350 off-airport locations.

To find the location nearest you, visit the TSA website. Be sure the enrollment provider selected has enrollment locations near you.

The in-person process takes 10 minutes to complete. During the appointment, the enrollment provider will collect your biometric data (fingerprints and a photo), verify your identity documents, and collect payment.

The application fee is $85, which covers the cost of background checks and must be paid in person. This fee is non-refundable.

If approved, most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in 3-5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days. You will receive an email or phone notification with instructions on retrieving your KTN online. You may also check your application status online.

Once you have your KTN, add it to your airline reservations to start saving time in screening.

Documentation

To apply for TSA PreCheck, you must be a United States citizen or permanent resident. The TSA PreCheck program allows eligible travellers to receive expedited screening at over 200 participating US airports and on more than 81 participating airlines.

To apply for TSA PreCheck, you must go in person to an enrolment centre to provide documentation and fingerprints. There are over 400 TSA PreCheck application centres nationwide, including several airport locations.

You must provide an original or certified copy of identity/citizenship status documentation during the application process. The names on all documents must match exactly with the name provided on the application. If you have legally changed your name, you must provide an original or certified name change document (e.g. a marriage certificate or divorce decree) in addition to the required documentation.

You can bring one of the documents from List A:

• Unexpired US passport (book or card)
• Unexpired Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC)
• Unexpired Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Card
• Unexpired US Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Unexpired Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
• Permanent Resident Card (I-551), often referred to as a "Green Card"
• Unexpired Foreign Passport and Immigrant Visa with I-551 annotation of "Upon Endorsement Serves as Temporary I-551 Evidencing Permanent Residence of 1 Year"
• Unexpired Re-entry Permit (I-327)

An original or certified copy of a document must be issued by a Federal, State, Tribal, county, municipal authority, or outlying possession bearing an official seal. Short-form or abstract birth certificates and notarised copies of documents are not acceptable.

If you do not have a document from List A, you will need at least two documents from List B:

• A valid photo ID, and
• A document that meets citizenship requirements.

List B documents include:

• Unexpired driver’s license issued by a State or outlying possession of the US
• Unexpired temporary driver’s license plus expired driver’s license (constitutes one document)
• Unexpired photo ID card issued by the federal government or by a State or outlying possession of the US. This must include a federal agency, State or State agency seal or logo (such as a State university ID). Permits are not considered valid identity documents (such as gun permits).
• Unexpired US military ID card
• Unexpired US retired military ID card
• Unexpired US military dependent’s card
• Native American tribal document with photo
• Unexpired Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/ Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• Unexpired Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC)
• Valid Proof of Citizenship (e.g. US Birth Certificate, US Certificate of Citizenship, US Certificate of Naturalization, US Citizen Identification Card, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certification of Report of Birth Abroad, or an expired US passport within 12 months of expiration)

A passport cannot be used as a List A document if it is expired. If it has expired within the past 12 months, it can be used, but only as a proof of citizenship (List B). Additionally, an expired US passport may not be presented by itself. It must be presented with at least one other List B document.

Biometric data

Applying for TSA PreCheck® can be done online and in person. The application process involves collecting biometric data, verifying identity documents, and collecting payment.

During the TSA PreCheck® application process, applicants provide their fingerprints and a photo, which are securely stored for future identity verification. This biometric data is then used to confirm the applicant's identity during the in-person enrollment process, ensuring that the person enrolling matches the provided data.

The use of biometric data enhances security and streamlines the airport experience. For example, at security checkpoints, facial recognition technology compares a live image of a passenger to a gallery of pre-enrolled reference photos or their photo ID, automating the manual ID verification process. This not only improves security but also speeds up the screening process, reducing wait times for travelers.

Additionally, biometric data is employed for boarding verification. At the boarding gate, facial recognition terminals or iris scanners verify passengers' identities by comparing their live biometric data to stored biometric templates. This ensures that the person boarding the flight is the same person who checked in, reducing the chances of identity fraud and enhancing security.

The use of biometric data in airports offers several benefits, including enhanced security, improved operational efficiency, and a better overall passenger experience. By leveraging this technology, airports can accurately verify passengers' identities, streamline processes, and provide a more seamless and stress-free travel journey.

However, it is important to address privacy concerns and ensure that passengers' biometric data is securely stored and protected. The TSA is committed to protecting passenger privacy and only collects and stores biometric data with the passenger's consent.

Cost

The cost of applying for TSA PreCheck® is $85, which covers the cost of background checks. This fee is non-refundable.

However, there are different costs for renewal, which vary by provider. For example, renewal through Telos costs $70, while renewal through CLEAR costs $68.95 online and $77.95 in person. IDEMIA offers the cheapest renewal at $58.75 online and $66.75 in person.

The TSA website also lists the cost of TSA PreCheck® as $76.75 for 5 years, with online and in-person costs of $58.75 and $66.75, respectively. It is unclear whether these prices include the initial application or are for renewal only.

It is important to note that the application fee must be paid in person at a TSA enrollment center and cannot be paid online.

Frequently asked questions