Yes, you can explore for TSA PreCheck entirely online

You can start your TSA PreCheck process on the official TSA website at tsa.gov/precheck without leaving your home. The online process takes about 10 minutes to complete the initial form, and you will answer questions about your background, citizenship, and travel history. After you submit the form online, you will need to schedule an in-person appointment at a TSA PreCheck enrollment center to provide fingerprints and a photo ID — that part cannot be done remotely.

The full process from online form to approval usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, though some applicants hear back faster. You will pay the $78 to $85 fee (the amount varies slightly by enrollment provider) when you schedule your appointment, not when you fill out the online form.

Key Takeaways

  • The initial process form is completed online at tsa.gov/precheck, and you can finish it in about 10 minutes from any device with internet access.
  • After submitting your online form, you must schedule and attend an in-person appointment at a TSA PreCheck enrollment center to provide fingerprints and show your ID.
  • You pay the $78 to $85 fee when you book your in-person appointment, not during the online process step.
  • The entire process from online form to approval takes roughly 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how quickly you schedule your appointment and how busy your local enrollment center is.

What information you need before you start the online form

Gather your documents before you begin. You will need your valid passport, driver's license, or state ID number; your Social Security number; and information about any addresses where you have lived in the past five years. Have a list of countries you have traveled to in the past five years, including the dates you left and returned to the United States.

The form also asks about your employment history, military service (if any), and whether you have ever been arrested or convicted of a crime. Answer these questions honestly — the TSA conducts a background check, and discrepancies between your form and their records can delay or deny your process. If you have a criminal record or immigration issue, you are not automatically disqualified, but you must disclose it.

How to find and schedule your in-person appointment

After you submit your online form, the TSA will send you a confirmation number. You then use that number to book your in-person appointment through the same website or through the enrollment provider's scheduling system. The TSA uses several private companies to run enrollment centers — locations vary by region, and some areas have more appointments available than others.

Check the TSA PreCheck locator tool on tsa.gov to see which enrollment centers are near you and what their current wait times are. Some centers book appointments weeks in advance, while others may have openings within days. You can reschedule your appointment if the first available time does not work for you.

What happens at your in-person appointment

Bring your valid passport, driver's license, or state ID to your appointment. A TSA officer will take your photograph, scan your fingerprints, and verify the information you provided in your online form. The appointment takes about 15 minutes. You will also sign a form confirming that the information you submitted is accurate.

After your appointment, the TSA conducts a background check that includes a review of criminal records, immigration status, and terrorist watch lists. This is where most of the 4 to 6 week wait happens. You will receive an email or letter when your process is approved, and your TSA PreCheck number will be issued at that time.

What you can do while you wait for approval

Once you have completed your in-person appointment, you cannot speed up the background check process. However, you can check the status of your process on the TSA website using your confirmation number. The status page will tell you whether your process is under review, approved, or denied.

If your process is denied, the TSA will explain why in a letter. You have the right to request a review of that decision. If your process is approved, you will receive your TSA PreCheck number, which you can use when ready when booking flights and checking in at the airport.

Using your TSA PreCheck number after approval

Once approved, add your TSA PreCheck number to your airline frequent flyer account or enter it when you book your ticket. At the airport, you will be able to use TSA PreCheck lanes, where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, and leave your laptop and liquids in your carry-on bag. Not every airport has a dedicated PreCheck lane, but the TSA PreCheck benefit works at over 200 U.S. airports.

Your TSA PreCheck membership is valid for five years from the date you are approved. You will receive a notification when it is about to expire, and you can renew online before it lapses.

What to do if you cannot attend your scheduled appointment

Life happens. If you need to reschedule your in-person appointment, log back into the TSA PreCheck website using your confirmation number and select a new date and time. You can reschedule as many times as you need before your appointment. If you miss an appointment without rescheduling, you may lose your spot, and you will have to reapply and pay the fee again.

If you are traveling and cannot make an appointment before your trip, you can still explore when you return. There is no important date to complete your process after you submit the online form, though the sooner you finish the in-person step, the sooner you will have your PreCheck number for future travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for TSA PreCheck on my phone?

Yes. The TSA PreCheck process form works on phones, tablets, and computers. You can start it on one device and finish on another as long as you use the same confirmation number. The form saves your progress, so you do not have to complete it all at once.

What if I do not have a passport?

You do not need a passport. A valid driver's license or state ID is sufficient for your in-person appointment. You will need to provide your ID number during the online form, so have it ready before you start.

Can I get my TSA PreCheck number before my in-person appointment?

No. You must complete the in-person appointment and pass the background check before the TSA issues your PreCheck number. The online form is just the first step.

What if I was denied TSA PreCheck?

The TSA will send you a letter explaining the reason for denial. You can request a review of the decision by contacting the TSA directly. Some denials are based on incomplete information or errors that can be corrected and resubmitted.

Does TSA PreCheck work internationally?

TSA PreCheck only works at U.S. airports and for flights departing the United States. For expedited screening in other countries, you would need to look into programs like Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck benefits and covers international airports.