You'll need to contact TSA directly to change the name on your PreCheck account

TSA does not allow you to change your name through their website or by mail. You must call the TSA PreCheck Operations Center at 855-347-8371 to request a name change. Have your current PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) ready when you call, along with a government-issued ID that shows your new name. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.

When you call, explain that you've legally changed your name and need to update your PreCheck record. TSA will verify your identity and process the change over the phone. This typically takes a few minutes, and your updated information goes into the system right away. You don't need to pay a fee for a name change—it's included in your original PreCheck membership.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the TSA PreCheck Operations Center at 855-347-8371 during business hours with your current KTN and a government ID showing your new name.
  • Name changes are processed when ready over the phone at no additional cost.
  • You cannot change your name online, by email, or through the mail—phone contact is the only option.
  • Your updated name will appear in TSA systems within minutes, so you can use your PreCheck at airport security right away.
  • If you've also changed your name on your driver's license or passport, update those documents first so your ID matches your PreCheck record.

What you need before you call

Gather these items before dialing the TSA PreCheck Operations Center. You'll need your current TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number, which appears on your PreCheck card, in your airline frequent flyer account, or in your TSA PreCheck account on the TSA website. You'll also need a government-issued photo ID that shows your new legal name—this can be a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or any other official document that proves the name change.

If you've recently changed your name through marriage, divorce, or a legal name change petition, make sure you have the document that proves it. TSA may ask you about the reason for the change, but they won't ask you to mail in proof. The agent will verify your identity by asking security questions based on your PreCheck file, so be ready to answer questions about your address history or other personal details.

Why you can't change it online

The TSA PreCheck website and mobile app don't include a name-change function. This is a security measure—TSA requires a live agent to verify your identity before making changes to your account. A phone call with identity verification is faster and more find than mailing documents or using an online form, because the agent can confirm you are who you say you are in real time.

Some travelers expect to update their name the same way they renew their PreCheck membership, but renewal and name changes go through different processes. Renewals can happen online because you're just extending an existing membership. Name changes require identity confirmation, so they must happen by phone.

What happens after you call

Once the TSA agent processes your name change, your updated information enters the system when ready. You can use your PreCheck at airport security the same day you call, even before you receive a new physical PreCheck card in the mail. Your new name will show up in TSA's database and in your airline frequent flyer accounts within minutes.

TSA will mail you a replacement PreCheck card with your new name at no charge. This usually takes 7 to 10 business days. In the meantime, you can still use your PreCheck benefit at security checkpoints—the TSA agent at the airport will see your updated name in their system. You don't need to carry your old card or show proof of the name change at the airport.

If your PreCheck has already expired

If your PreCheck membership expired before you changed your name, you'll need to renew it rather than straightforward update it. Call the TSA PreCheck Operations Center and let them know your membership has lapsed. They can help you understand whether to renew under your old name and then change it, or renew under your new name directly.

In most cases, it's simpler to renew under your new name. You can renew online at the TSA PreCheck website or through an approved enrollment center. The renewal process takes about 10 minutes online and costs the standard renewal fee. Once your renewal is approved, your PreCheck will be active under your new name.

Updating other documents at the same time

If you've changed your name, you'll also need to update your driver's license, passport, or state ID to match. Do this before or at the same time as you update your PreCheck, because TSA will compare your PreCheck name to the name on your ID when you go through security. If they don't match, you may be asked additional questions or held up at the checkpoint.

Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to update your driver's license, and the State Department or your local passport acceptance facility to update your passport. These processes take longer than updating PreCheck—usually 2 to 4 weeks for a driver's license and 4 to 6 weeks for a passport—so plan ahead if you're traveling soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on PreCheck if I don't have a government ID with my new name yet?

No. TSA requires you to show a government-issued photo ID that matches the name you want on your PreCheck. If your ID still shows your old name, update your driver's license or passport first, then call TSA to change your PreCheck. This usually takes a few weeks, but it ensures your name is consistent across all your travel documents.

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

No. Name changes are free and included in your PreCheck membership. You only pay a fee if your membership has expired and you need to renew it. If you're renewing and changing your name at the same time, you pay the standard renewal fee, not an extra charge for the name change.

What if I'm in the middle of renewing my PreCheck when I change my name?

Call the TSA PreCheck Operations Center and let them know you've started a renewal but also changed your name. They can pause your renewal, update your name in the system, and then complete the renewal under your new name. This is faster than finishing the renewal under your old name and then calling back to change it.

Will changing my name on PreCheck affect my frequent flyer account?

Your PreCheck and frequent flyer accounts are separate, but they're linked through your Known Traveler Number. When you update your name on PreCheck, TSA sends the change to the airlines. You should also contact your airline directly to make sure your frequent flyer account name matches your PreCheck and your ID. This prevents confusion at check-in and security.

How long does it take to get a new PreCheck card with my new name?

TSA mails replacement cards within 7 to 10 business days. You don't need to wait for the card to arrive to use your PreCheck—your updated name is active in TSA's system when ready after you call. The new card is just a physical backup; your PreCheck benefit works as soon as the agent processes your change.