TSA PreCheck name changes go through the TSA's Known Traveler Number system, not through a separate form

If your legal name has changed — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — you need to update it in the TSA PreCheck database before your next flight. The TSA does not have a standalone name-change form. Instead, you update your information through the same trusted traveler program where you enrolled, whether that was TSA PreCheck directly, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI.

The process depends on how much time is left on your membership. If you have more than a year remaining, you can update your name without paying a renewal fee. If your membership expires within a year, the TSA will ask you to renew your full membership at the current rate — usually $78 to $85 for TSA PreCheck alone, or $100 to $180 for programs that bundle PreCheck with Global Entry.

You cannot change your name online through the TSA website. You must either schedule an in-person appointment at a TSA PreCheck enrollment center or use the phone and mail process, which takes longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Name changes are processed through your enrollment program (TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI), not through a separate TSA form.
  • If your membership has more than one year remaining, you can update your name at no cost; if it expires within a year, you will pay the full renewal fee.
  • The fastest route is an in-person appointment at a TSA PreCheck enrollment center, where you bring your new legal name document and your current ID.
  • By phone and mail, the process takes four to six weeks; in person, it takes one appointment plus a few days for the system to update.

In-person appointment at a TSA PreCheck enrollment center

This is the fastest way to change your name. Find your nearest enrollment center at the TSA's official enrollment center locator at tsa.gov/precheck — click "Find an Enrollment Center" and enter your zip code. Most major airports have enrollment centers, as do many post offices, AAA offices, and UPS stores that partner with the TSA.

When you book your appointment, tell the enrollment agent that you are updating your name on an existing membership. Bring your current TSA PreCheck card or Known Traveler Number (KTN), your current government-issued ID, and your new legal name document — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or updated passport or driver's license that shows your new name.

The agent will verify your identity, update your record in the system, and issue you a new TSA PreCheck card with your updated name on the spot. The card is valid when ready for airport security lines. If your membership was expiring within a year, you will pay the renewal fee at this appointment.

Phone and mail process through the enrollment program

If no enrollment center is convenient, you can update your name by phone. Call the enrollment program that issued your membership: TSA PreCheck customer service at 1-855-347-8371, or Global Entry at 1-877-227-5511 if you enrolled through that program.

The agent will confirm your identity by asking security questions, then mail you a form to sign and return. You will also need to mail or upload a copy of your new legal name document — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or updated government ID. Once the program receives and processes your documents, they will update your record and mail you a new card.

This process typically takes four to six weeks from the date you call. Your TSA PreCheck remains valid during this time — the name change is in the background system before your new card arrives. If your membership expires within a year, you will be asked to pay the renewal fee before the documents are processed.

What documents prove your legal name change

The TSA accepts any official document that shows your new legal name. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order is the most common proof. If you have already updated your driver's license, passport, or state ID to reflect your new name, that document alone is usually sufficient — you do not need to provide the original marriage or court document as well.

The document must be an original or certified copy. A photocopy of your marriage certificate or a screenshot of your updated license will not be accepted. If you are updating in person, bring the physical document; if you are updating by mail, send a certified copy or a clear photocopy of a government-issued ID that shows your new name.

Timeline for your name to appear in airport systems

If you update in person at an enrollment center, your new name is in the TSA system when ready. You can use your TSA PreCheck benefits at airport security that same day if you have your new card, or by providing your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your airline when you book your next flight.

If you update by phone and mail, the TSA typically processes your documents within two to three weeks. Your new name will be searchable in the system before your new card arrives in the mail. When you book your next flight after your documents are processed, use your KTN at check-in, and the system will recognize your updated name.

To be safe, wait until you receive confirmation from the enrollment program — either a new card in the mail or an email confirming the update — before you book a flight under your new name. If there is a mismatch between the name on your airline ticket and the name in the TSA system, you may be delayed at security.

What happens if your membership expires soon

If your TSA PreCheck membership expires within one year of your name-change request, the TSA will require you to renew your full membership rather than just update your information. The renewal fee is the same as the initial enrollment fee: $78 to $85 for TSA PreCheck alone, or $100 to $180 if you enrolled through Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI.

You can renew at the same time you update your name — either at an in-person appointment or by phone. The agent will process both the name change and the renewal in one transaction. Your new membership period will run from the date of renewal, giving you five more years of TSA PreCheck benefits.

If your membership has more than one year remaining, you will not pay a renewal fee. The name change is a free update to your existing membership.

Updating your name with your airline after TSA updates

Once your name is updated in the TSA system, you should also update it with your airline frequent-flyer account if you have one. Log into your airline account online, go to your profile or account settings, and update your legal name to match your new government ID. This ensures your boarding pass matches your ID and your TSA PreCheck record.

If you have already booked flights under your old name before updating your TSA record, contact the airline to change the name on your reservation. Most airlines allow one free name change per ticket. Provide your confirmation number and your new legal name document, and the airline will reissue your boarding pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name online through the TSA website?

No. The TSA does not offer online name changes. You must either schedule an in-person appointment at a TSA PreCheck enrollment center or call the enrollment program and complete the process by phone and mail. In-person is faster — usually one appointment plus a few days for the system to update.

Do I have to pay to change my name on TSA PreCheck?

Not if your membership has more than one year remaining. If your membership expires within a year, you will pay the full renewal fee — $78 to $85 for TSA PreCheck alone. The name change itself is free; the fee is only for renewing your membership early.

What if I book a flight before my name change is processed?

Book your flight under your current legal name — the one on your government ID. Once your TSA PreCheck name is updated, contact your airline to change the name on your reservation to match. Most airlines allow one free name change per ticket.

How long does it take to change my name by phone and mail?

The enrollment program typically processes your documents within two to three weeks. You will receive a new card in the mail, though your updated name will be searchable in the TSA system before the card arrives. In-person appointments are faster — your name is updated the same day.

Can I use my old TSA PreCheck card while waiting for the new one?

Yes. Your TSA PreCheck benefits remain active during the name-change process. When you go through airport security, provide your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to the agent, and they will look up your record in the system — which will show your updated name. You do not have to wait for your new card to arrive to use your benefits.