What a TSA Disability Alert Card Is and How to Request One
A TSA Disability Alert Card is a physical card issued by the Transportation Security Administration that notifies security officers you have a disability that may affect screening. The card does not change TSA rules or exempt you from screening — it straightforward alerts officers to your condition so they can adjust their approach. You request one by contacting TSA directly, either online through their website, by phone, or in person at an airport.
The card is most useful if you have a condition that makes standard screening difficult: mobility issues that make walking through metal detectors painful, sensory sensitivities that make pat-downs stressful, or medical devices that may alarm. TSA officers see the card and know to offer alternatives like a private screening room, a companion to accompany you, or extra time to move through the checkpoint.
You do not need a formal diagnosis letter or medical documentation to request the card. TSA does not verify your disability or deny requests based on the type of condition you report. The card is yours to keep and use at any U.S. airport.
Key Takeaways
- You request a TSA Disability Alert Card by calling TSA directly at 1-855-787-2227, visiting the TSA website, or asking for one at an airport checkpoint.
- The card notifies security officers of your disability so they can offer accommodations like private screening or extra time, but does not change screening rules.
- You do not need medical documentation or a formal diagnosis to request the card — TSA does not verify disabilities.
- The card is free and valid at all U.S. airports indefinitely; you keep it and present it each time you travel.
- If you lose the card, you can request a replacement by contacting TSA using the same methods.
How to Request the Card by Phone
Calling TSA is the fastest way to request a card. The TSA Customer Service line is 1-855-787-2227, available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time. When you call, have your name, date of birth, and a mailing address ready. You will describe your disability briefly — you do not need to provide medical records or proof.
The TSA representative will confirm your information and mail the card to the address you provide. The card typically arrives within two to three weeks. If you need it sooner, ask the representative whether you can pick one up at your local airport instead; some airports will issue a card on the spot if you visit the TSA office.
How to Request the Card Online or by Mail
You can also request a card through the TSA website. Visit tsa.gov and look for the Disability Alert Card section under "Travel Tips" or "Passengers with Disabilities." The online form asks for your name, date of birth, mailing address, and a brief description of your disability. Submit the form and TSA will mail the card to you.
If you prefer to mail a written request, you can send a letter to your regional TSA office with your name, date of birth, mailing address, and a description of your disability. Find your regional office address on the TSA website. This method takes longer — typically four to six weeks — so phone or online is faster.
How to Get a Card at the Airport
If you are traveling soon and do not have time to wait for a mailed card, you can request one in person at an airport. Go to the TSA checkpoint and ask a security officer for a Disability Alert Card. The officer can issue a temporary card on the spot or direct you to the TSA office at that airport, where staff can issue a permanent card when ready.
Bring a form of identification and be prepared to describe your disability briefly. The airport staff will fill out the card and give it to you before you go through screening. This is the only way to get a card the same day you need it.
What Information You Need to Provide
TSA asks for minimal information: your full name, date of birth, and mailing address. You will also describe your disability in your own words — there is no required format or medical terminology. You might say "I use a wheelchair and need extra time to move through the checkpoint" or "I have sensory sensitivities and need a quiet screening area" or "I have a pacemaker and cannot go through metal detectors."
You do not need to provide a doctor's letter, diagnosis code, medical records, or proof of disability. TSA does not verify what you report or deny requests based on the type of condition. The card is issued based on what you tell them.
What the Card Covers and What It Does Not
The card alerts TSA officers to your disability so they can offer accommodations. Common accommodations include a private screening room, a companion to stay with you during screening, extra time to move through the checkpoint, or an alternative to the metal detector (such as a pat-down or advanced imaging technology). Officers may also allow you to keep on medical devices, shoes, or clothing if removing them would cause you pain or distress.
The card does not exempt you from screening, speed up the line, or may provide a specific accommodation. TSA officers still follow standard security procedures — they straightforward adjust how they carry them out. If you travel with medical equipment, medications, or mobility aids, you may still need to explain those items to the officer, though the card helps signal that you have a disability-related reason for them.
If You Lose Your Card or Need a Replacement
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement using the same methods: call 1-855-787-2227, submit an online form on tsa.gov, or ask for one at an airport. Replacement cards are issued at no cost and arrive by mail in the same timeframe as a new card.
You do not need to report the lost card to TSA before requesting a replacement — straightforward request a new one. If you are traveling before the replacement arrives, you can ask for a temporary card at the airport checkpoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor's letter to get a Disability Alert Card?
No. TSA does not require medical documentation, a diagnosis letter, or proof of disability. You describe your condition in your own words when you request the card, and TSA issues it based on what you report without verification.
Will the card speed me through security or let me skip screening?
No. The card does not change TSA rules or exempt you from screening. It notifies officers of your disability so they can offer accommodations like private screening, extra time, or a companion — but you still go through the same security process as other passengers.
How long does it take to get a card in the mail?
Cards requested by phone or online typically arrive within two to three weeks. If you need one sooner, visit an airport TSA office to request an when ready card, or ask at the checkpoint on the day you travel.
Can I use the card at international airports or when flying out of the U.S.?
The TSA Disability Alert Card is valid at U.S. airports only. International airports and foreign airlines follow their own security procedures. Contact your airline or the airport you are flying from to ask about disability accommodations for international travel.
What if a TSA officer does not honor my card or refuses to offer accommodations?
If an officer does not respond appropriately to your card, ask to speak with a supervisor at the checkpoint. You can also file a complaint with TSA after your trip through the TSA website or by calling 1-855-787-2227. Keep your card and any travel documents in case you need to reference them in a complaint.