Where to Find Your TSA Redress Number

Your TSA Redress Number is a nine-digit identifier issued by the TSA when you file a complaint about how you were treated at airport security. If you have filed a redress complaint with the TSA, your number was sent to you by mail at the address you provided during the complaint process. Check your mailbox for a letter from the TSA with the subject line "TSA Redress Number" — it typically arrives within two to three weeks of filing.

If you cannot locate the letter, you can request your redress number by contacting the TSA directly. Call the TSA's Civil Rights office at 1-866-289-9673 or visit the TSA website to submit an online inquiry. Have your full name, date of birth, and the approximate date you filed your complaint ready when you contact them. The TSA will verify your identity and provide your number over the phone or by mail.

Your redress number is personal to you and tied to your specific complaint. It is not the same as a Known Traveler Number (KTN) or TSA PreCheck enrollment number, though you may have those as well. Keep your redress number in a safe place once you receive it, because you will need it if you want to check the status of your complaint or reference it with TSA staff at the airport.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA Redress Number arrives by mail from the TSA within two to three weeks after you file a redress complaint about airport security treatment.
  • If you did not receive your number in the mail, call the TSA Civil Rights office at 1-866-289-9673 with your name, date of birth, and complaint date.
  • Your redress number is a nine-digit code specific to your complaint and is different from TSA PreCheck or Known Traveler Number enrollment.
  • Keep your redress number stored safely because you will need it to check complaint status or reference it with TSA officers at security checkpoints.

What a TSA Redress Number Is Used For

A TSA Redress Number tells TSA officers at the airport that you have filed a formal complaint about your treatment during a previous screening. When you provide your number at security, it flags your record so officers can review your complaint history before screening you again. This is useful if you were previously stopped for additional screening, questioned extensively, or treated in a way you felt was unfair or discriminatory.

The number does not prevent additional screening or may provide different treatment, but it creates a documented record that officers can see. Some travelers use their redress number to explain why they are in the system or to request that officers review their file before proceeding. It is most helpful if you travel frequently and want TSA staff to be aware that your previous experience was flagged for review.

When You Need to File for a Redress Number

You file a TSA redress complaint when you believe you were treated unfairly, discriminated against, or screened improperly at airport security. Common reasons include being stopped for additional screening without clear reason, being questioned about your background or travel patterns, or feeling that you were singled out based on your appearance, name, or national origin.

To file a complaint, you visit the TSA website and complete the redress form, or you can mail a written complaint to the TSA Civil Rights office. You will need to provide details about the date, time, and airport where the incident occurred, the names or descriptions of officers involved if you remember them, and a description of what happened. The TSA will review your complaint and issue you a redress number once it is filed in their system.

How to Use Your Redress Number at the Airport

When you arrive at airport security, inform the TSA officer at the checkpoint that you have a redress number and provide it. You can write it on a piece of paper or show it on your phone if you have it stored there. The officer will look up your number in the system and can see that you have filed a complaint.

Having your number does not change the screening process itself — you will still go through metal detectors, X-ray machines, and pat-downs like any other traveler. However, it creates a record that officers can reference, and it may help explain your presence in certain TSA databases if you have been flagged for additional screening in the past. If you are selected for secondary screening, mentioning your redress number can prompt officers to review your file.

If You Cannot Remember Your Redress Number

If you have lost or forgotten your redress number, the TSA can look it up for you. Call 1-866-289-9673 and provide your full name, date of birth, and the approximate date you filed your complaint. The TSA Civil Rights office will search their records and provide your number. This process usually takes a few minutes if you call during business hours.

You can also submit a written request to the TSA Civil Rights office by mail. Include your full name, date of birth, mailing address, and phone number, along with the date you filed your complaint. Mail it to the address listed on the TSA website under "Contact Us." Response time by mail is typically longer than a phone call, so calling is faster if you need your number before an upcoming flight.

Redress Numbers and Other TSA Programs

A TSA Redress Number is separate from other TSA programs you may have heard about. TSA PreCheck is a paid enrollment program that allows you to go through expedited screening at participating airports. A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is issued when you enroll in PreCheck or other trusted traveler programs. Neither of these is the same as a redress number.

You can have a redress number and a KTN at the same time. If you have both, you can provide either one at security depending on the situation. Your redress number documents a complaint you filed, while your KTN shows that you have passed a background check for expedited screening. They serve different purposes and are stored in different TSA systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a TSA Redress Number after I file a complaint?

The TSA typically issues a redress number within two to three weeks of receiving your complaint. You will receive it by mail at the address you provided on your complaint form. If you need your number sooner, you can call the TSA Civil Rights office at 1-866-289-8673 to request it over the phone.

Can I use my redress number to avoid additional screening at the airport?

No. Your redress number documents that you filed a complaint, but it does not prevent additional screening or change how you are screened. TSA officers may still select you for secondary screening based on random selection or other security factors. The number straightforward creates a record that officers can review.

What if I filed a redress complaint but never received a number?

Contact the TSA Civil Rights office at 1-866-289-9673 with your name, date of birth, and the date you filed your complaint. They will search their records and provide your number or confirm whether your complaint was received and processed.

Is my TSA Redress Number the same as my Known Traveler Number?

No. A redress number is issued when you file a complaint about airport security treatment. A Known Traveler Number is issued when you enroll in TSA PreCheck or another trusted traveler program. They are separate identifiers stored in different systems.

Can I share my TSA Redress Number with someone else?

Your redress number is tied to your identity and your specific complaint. It should not be shared or used by anyone else. If someone else needs a redress number, they must file their own complaint with the TSA.