Yes, you receive a physical card in the mail
When you complete TSA PreCheck, you will receive a wallet-sized card in the mail within two to three weeks of your appointment. The card shows your Known Traveler Number (KTN), your name, and an expiration date — typically five years from the date you were approved. You do not need to show this card at security; the TSA uses your KTN to identify you in their system when you check in for a flight.
The card itself is optional to carry. Many travelers keep it in a drawer and straightforward enter their KTN when booking flights online or at the airport counter. Others carry it as backup identification or proof of their PreCheck status. Either way, the card is not what gets you through the faster lane — your KTN is.
Key Takeaways
- TSA PreCheck sends you a physical card by mail, but you do not need to carry it or show it at security.
- Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is what the TSA actually uses to recognize you; you provide this when you book your flight.
- The card expires five years after your approval date, and you will need to renew your PreCheck status before it expires if you want to keep using the program.
- If your card is lost or damaged, you can request a replacement through the TSA website, though you can still use PreCheck with just your KTN.
How the card connects to your KTN at the airport
When you book a flight, you enter your KTN in the passenger information section. The airline passes this number to the TSA before your flight. At the airport, the TSA sees your KTN linked to your reservation and knows you are enrolled in PreCheck. This is how you get routed to the PreCheck security lane — not because you show a card, but because your name and KTN match their database.
If you forget to enter your KTN when booking, you can usually add it at the airport kiosk or ask the airline agent to add it before you go through security. Without the KTN in your reservation, the TSA will not know you are enrolled, and you will go through standard security screening even if you have the card in your wallet.
What happens when your card expires
Your TSA PreCheck card expires five years after your approval date. The TSA will send you a renewal notice by mail about 90 days before expiration. You will need to complete a new in-person appointment and pay the renewal fee to keep your PreCheck status active. Until you renew, your KTN will no longer work, and you will go through standard security screening.
If you miss the renewal window and your PreCheck expires, you will need to start the enrollment process over from the beginning, including a new appointment and background check. It is worth renewing before expiration to avoid losing the benefit.
Replacing a lost or damaged card
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement through the TSA PreCheck website. You will need to log into your account, provide your information, and request a new card. The replacement card will be mailed to you at no additional cost and will have the same KTN and expiration date as your original.
While you wait for the replacement, you can still use PreCheck at the airport. Your KTN remains active in the TSA system regardless of whether you have the physical card. You can provide your KTN verbally to the airline agent or enter it at the kiosk, and you will be routed to the PreCheck lane as usual.
Using your KTN without the card
Many frequent travelers never carry their PreCheck card. They straightforward memorize their KTN or keep it in their phone notes, then enter it when booking flights online. This works perfectly well because the TSA does not require the card itself — only the KTN in your reservation.
Some travelers photograph their card and keep the image on their phone for reference. Others print their KTN on a note in their phone's wallet app. The point is that the card is a convenience, not a requirement. Your PreCheck status lives in the TSA database, not in your pocket.
What the card does not do
The TSA PreCheck card is not a boarding pass, a government ID, or a security clearance document. You cannot use it to board a plane or to pass through security on its own. It is not accepted as identification for age-restricted purchases or for entering federal buildings. It is purely a reference card that shows your KTN and enrollment status.
The card also does not may provide you will get PreCheck screening on every flight. If you do not enter your KTN when booking, or if you book through a third-party site that does not pass the KTN to the airline, the TSA will not see your enrollment and will route you to standard security. The card sitting in your wallet does not change this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to carry my TSA PreCheck card with me?
No. Your KTN is what matters, and it is already in the TSA system. You can leave the card at home and still use PreCheck by entering your KTN when you book your flight. The card is optional.
What if I never received my card in the mail?
Check your TSA PreCheck account online to confirm your approval status and the mailing address on file. If the address is wrong, you can update it and request a new card. If the address is correct but the card did not arrive after four weeks, contact the TSA PreCheck help desk through their website.
Can I use PreCheck if my card is expired but I have not renewed yet?
No. Once your card expires, your KTN is no longer active in the TSA system. You will go through standard security screening until you renew your PreCheck enrollment. Renew before your expiration date to avoid losing the benefit.
Is the card the same as my Known Traveler Number?
No. The card is a physical document that displays your KTN. The KTN is the nine-digit number that the TSA uses to identify you. You need the KTN in your flight reservation; the card itself is just a reference.
What should I do if my card is lost or stolen?
Request a replacement through your TSA PreCheck account online. There is no fee for a replacement card. While you wait, your KTN is still active, so you can continue using PreCheck by providing your number when you book flights.