Download ArticleYour KTN grants you access to PreCheck lanes for quick airline departures—but where is it?
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This article was co-authored by Amy Tan and by How.com.vn staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.
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TSA PreCheck makes it easy for you to breeze through airport security without having to take off your shoes, belt, or jacket. But to access those PreCheck lanes, you need to enroll in the service and provide your PreCheck number—called a Known Traveler Number (KTN)—to the airline when you book your flight. If you've forgotten your KTN, the easiest way to find it is to check the TSA Enrollment website.
Things You Should Know
- Look for your KTN on official sources, such as your approval letter, or the TSA Enrollment website, if you're a US citizen.
- Use the PASSID on your membership card as your KTN if you're enrolled in the Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI programs.
- Enroll in Precheck programs online to get a KTN. Schedule an in-person appointment, supply the required documents, and pay the application fee for approval.
- Check your TSA Precheck status and fill out the renewal application online within 6 months before it expires so it's continuously active.
Steps
Use the PASSID on your Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI card. When you enroll in one of these programs, you also gain TSA PreCheck status. The PASSID number printed on the back of your program membership card serves as your KTN for TSA PreCheck purposes.[1]- Your PASSID is a 9-digit number that usually starts with 15, 98, or 99.
- If you previously enrolled in TSA PreCheck directly, but then enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI later, use the PASSID associated with the later program as your KTN—it supersedes your previous enrollment.
Check your approval letter if you enrolled in TSA PreCheck directly. Within a week or so of the date you enrolled in the program, you likely got an approval letter from the TSA. That approval letter, if you still have it, has your KTN on it. Search your personal records if you're not sure—you might have saved it![2]Advertisement
Use the KTN Lookup to find your KTN online. If you have your Universal Enrollment ID (UE ID) and your birthdate, you can get your KTN online. Your UE ID is on the receipt you got when you were fingerprinted for your TSA PreCheck enrollment.[3]- This receipt isn't the same as your approval letter. Your approval letter was mailed to you after your Enrollment Center appointment and has your KTN on it. Your UE ID and your KTN are two different things.
Call the TSA help center if you can't use the KTN Lookup. Call 866-289-9673 any time between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday, or between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time on weekends and federal holidays. A representative will help find your KTN based on the information you provide to them.[4]- The TSA also has an online form, but you'll probably get a quicker resolution by calling.
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Choose the program that best meets your needs. The TSA offers 4 Trusted Traveler programs that include access to TSA PreCheck lines. Some of these programs also offer expedited customs processing in addition to PreCheck access. Compare them so you can decide which one you want:[5]- TSA PreCheck: access to PreCheck lanes for airport departures; US citizens and lawful permanent residents are eligible; $78 for 5 years
- Global Entry: entry to the US from international destinations by air, land, or sea; access to PreCheck lanes for airport departures; US citizens, lawful permanent residents, and select foreign nationals are eligible; $100 for 5 years
- NEXUS: entry to the US from Canada by air, land, or sea; includes access to PreCheck lanes for airport departures for US citizens and lawful permanent residents as well as Canadian citizens; US citizens and permanent residents, Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and Mexican nationals are eligible; $50 for 5 years
- SENTRI: entry to the US from Canada and Mexico by air or land; includes access to PreCheck lanes for airport departures for US citizens and lawful permanent residents; US citizens and permanent residents, as well as all foreign nationals, are eligible; $122.25 for 5 years
Complete the online application on the TSA Enrollment website.[6] Enter information about your citizenship, identity, and background, including all names or aliases you've used in the past. The TSA uses this information to complete a background check to determine if you're suitable for the program.- If you'd rather apply in person, enter your ZIP code in the TSA Enrollment Center locator to find the nearest Enrollment Center.
Schedule an in-person appointment at the nearest enrollment center. The in-person takes care of the part of the enrollment process you can't do online—document verification and fingerprinting. The online application will prompt you to choose a location and schedule an appointment once you've entered all of your information.[7]- If you need to reschedule your appointment, you can do that from the TSA Enrollment website as well. The Enrollment Centers do take walk-ins, although you may have to wait a while, especially during peak hours.
Take 1 or 2 identity documents to your appointment. To verify your identity, you need either 1 original document from List A or 2 original documents from List B. These documents include:[8]- List A: unexpired passport book or card, permanent resident card, unexpired US enhanced driver's license or enhanced state-issued ID
- List B: unexpired driver's license or state ID, unexpired US military ID, expired passport within 12 months of expiration, US birth certificate, US certificate of naturalization
Pay your application fee. As of 2023, the new enrollment application fee is $78.[9] This fee is nonrefundable and covers the cost of background checks and fingerprinting. The TSA accepts major credit and debit cards, money orders, company checks, and cashier's checks.[10]- Many credit cards help offset or even cover the cost of TSA PreCheck membership as a benefit to customers—especially cards with travel or airline miles incentives. Contact your credit card company to see if this is a perk for you.[11]
- The representative who fingerprints you will give you your receipt, which includes your Universal Enrollment ID (UE ID). Hang on to this! You'll need it to look up your KTN online.
Check your application status online to get your KTN immediately. While it takes several days to get your approval letter in the mail, your KTN will show up online more quickly. If you need to book a flight, use the KTN Lookup to get your number sooner.[12]- If you're willing to wait, expect to see an approval letter in the mail within 3-5 days. But keep in mind some applications can take as long as 60 days to process.[13]
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Check your TSA PreCheck status on the TSA Enrollment website. Before you book a flight, make sure your TSA PreCheck membership is up to date and isn't going to expire before the date of your flight reservation. Even if you have a TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass, you'll be denied access to the TSA PreCheck lanes if your authorization has expired.[14]
Visit the TSA Enrollment website up to 6 months before expiration. The TSA recommends renewing at least 60 days before your current authorization expires, just in case there's a delay in approving your renewal. But since your renewed authorization doesn't start until your current one ends, there's no reason to delay.[15]- Forget to renew before your authorization expires? No worries—just make sure you renew within a year of expiration if you want to keep the same KTN.[16]
Fill out your renewal application online. Enter your KTN, date of birth, and last name to pull up your TSA PreCheck account. Then, follow the prompts to complete your renewal. Pay your renewal fees using a credit or debit card, and you're good to go![17]
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Expert Q&A
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- QuestionHow can I apply for TSA PreCheck?
Amy TanAmy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet HoppersYou can find the application on the TSA website or you can do it in person at a service desk. - QuestionWhat does TSA PreCheck let me do?Amy TanAmy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet HoppersIf you have TSA PreCheck, you don't have to take off your shoes or coat when you go through the security line. - QuestionCan I use TSA PreCheck on every flight?Amy TanAmy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet HoppersNot every airline offers the service, so check your boarding pass beforehand.
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Tips
- If you have a TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass, any kids 12 and under traveling with you can also use the TSA PreCheck lines to pass through security.[20]Thanks
- Don't stress if you didn't have your KTN when you made your airline reservation—just call the airline and they'll add it for you.[21]Thanks
- If you fly with the same airline frequently, save your KTN with your customer profile information on the airline's website so it'll auto-fill on future reservations.Thanks
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Warnings
- You can only use the TSA PreCheck lines if the information on your Trusted Traveler membership matches the information on both your ID and your boarding pass.[22]Thanks
- If you have Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI membership, you still have to provide your KTN when you make your airline reservation. You can't use your membership card to access the TSA PreCheck lanes.[23]Thanks
- Enrollment in any of the Trusted Traveler programs never guarantees expedited screening.[24]Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/i-forgot-my-known-traveler-number-ktn-how-do-i-find-it
- ↑ https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/
- ↑ Amy Tan. Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers. Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/factsheets/tsa-precheckr-application-program
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2022/11/04/tsa-reduces-tsa-precheckr-enrollment-fee
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/credit-cards-offer
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/factsheets/tsa-precheckr-application-program
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2018/10/04/it-time-renew-your-tsa-prer-membership
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2018/10/04/it-time-renew-your-tsa-prer-membership
- ↑ https://tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/programs/precheck
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
About This Article
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers
This article was co-authored by Amy Tan and by How.com.vn staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000. This article has been viewed 219,189 times.
Co-authors: 6
Updated: February 18, 2024
Views: 219,189
Categories: Airports
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 219,189 times.
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