Passport & Trusted Traveler Appointments
TSA PreCheck Enrollment Appointments: What to Expect
How TSA PreCheck enrollment works — the online application, the short in-person visit and how to use your Known Traveler Number.
Independent guide — not a government website. Book My Service can’t book or change appointments, and we aren’t affiliated with organizations named here. That includes the State Department, USPS, CBP, TSA and enrollment providers. Rules and fees change — confirm with the official source before you go.
Key points
- Start the application online, then visit an enrollment location by appointment or as a walk-in for documents, fingerprints and a photo.
- TSA lists three authorized enrollment providers; you choose one.
- Renewals can be done online through any provider, according to TSA.
What TSA PreCheck is
TSA PreCheck is a Transportation Security Administration program that gives approved travelers access to dedicated screening lanes at participating U.S. airports. TSA says members can generally leave on shoes, belts and light jackets and keep laptops and 3-1-1 liquids in their bag.
The enrollment process
TSA describes enrollment in three parts:
- Start online. Choose an enrollment provider and submit the initial application on its TSA-authorized website.
- Finish in person. Make an appointment or walk in at an enrollment location. TSA says staff check your documents, take fingerprints and a photo, and collect payment.
- Get your Known Traveler Number (KTN). Once approved, add your KTN to airline reservations and frequent-flyer profiles so “TSA PreCheck” appears on your boarding pass.
Choosing an enrollment provider
TSA lists three authorized enrollment providers — CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos — each with its own locations and prices. Use the provider links on tsa.gov to make sure you are on an authorized site; their addresses end in tsa.dhs.gov. Fees and any rebates are listed on the TSA PreCheck pages.
What to bring
Bring the identity and citizenship or immigration documents your provider asks for. TSA publishes the list of acceptable documents, and your provider will show it during the online application — check it before you go, because a missing document means a second trip. Bring your appointment confirmation too.
At the appointment
The visit is usually short. Be ready to confirm your application details, provide fingerprints and have your photo taken, and pay the fee. You will be told how to check your status afterwards.
Using PreCheck with family
TSA says children 17 and under can join an enrolled adult in the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling together. Adults each need their own membership.
Renewing
TSA says you can renew online through any of the authorized providers. Renewing before your membership expires avoids a gap.
PreCheck is not a substitute for ID
You still need acceptable identification at the checkpoint. TSA began enforcing REAL ID requirements on May 7, 2025; see REAL ID appointments if your license isn’t compliant. If you travel internationally often, compare PreCheck with Global Entry.
Sources and official links
We checked these sources on . Official pages change, so the live page always wins over this guide.