What Touchless ID Is and How to get your free guide

Touchless ID is a biometric option within TSA PreCheck that lets you move through airport security without handing over your physical ID card. Instead, you scan your face at a kiosk, and the system matches it to your passport or driver's license photo on file. You still need an active TSA PreCheck membership to use it — Touchless ID is an add-on feature, not a separate program.

To use Touchless ID, you must first enroll in TSA PreCheck itself. If you already have TSA PreCheck, you can add Touchless ID at certain airports during your next security screening, or you can pre-enroll online before you travel. The process takes about two minutes at the airport kiosk.

Touchless ID is available at a growing number of airports, though not all locations offer it yet. Check the TSA website or your airline's app to see if your departure airport has Touchless ID kiosks before you travel.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have an active TSA PreCheck membership before you can use Touchless ID — it is an added feature, not a standalone program.
  • At the airport, approach a Touchless ID kiosk, look at the camera, and the system scans your face against your passport or driver's license photo.
  • You can enroll in Touchless ID at the airport during security screening, or pre-enroll online through the TSA website before your trip.
  • Touchless ID is available only at certain airports, so confirm your departure airport offers it before you rely on it for your trip.
  • The entire process at the kiosk takes about two minutes and requires no documents or physical ID card to be scanned.

How to Pre-Enroll Online Before Your Flight

If your airport offers Touchless ID, you can register online before you arrive at the airport. Go to the TSA PreCheck website, log into your account with your TSA PreCheck membership number, and look for the Touchless ID enrollment option. You will be asked to confirm your consent to facial recognition and verify your identity using information from your passport or driver's license.

Pre-enrollment takes about five minutes and does not require you to visit the airport early or spend extra time at security. When you arrive at the airport, you straightforward walk up to a Touchless ID kiosk and complete the facial scan. The system will recognize that you have already pre-enrolled and will process you faster.

Pre-enrollment is optional — you can also enroll for the first time at the airport kiosk itself. However, pre-enrolling online means one less step to complete during your security screening.

Enrolling at the Airport Kiosk for the First Time

If you did not pre-enroll online, you can sign up for Touchless ID at the airport when you go through security. Look for a Touchless ID kiosk near the TSA PreCheck lane — they are usually marked with signage. Approach the kiosk and follow the on-screen prompts.

The kiosk will ask you to confirm your consent to facial recognition and will verify your identity using information from your passport or driver's license on file. You will then take a photo by looking at the camera. The entire process takes about two minutes. Once you complete enrollment, you can use Touchless ID at that airport and any other airport that offers it.

You do not need to bring any documents to the kiosk — the system pulls your information from TSA PreCheck records. If the kiosk cannot verify your identity, it will direct you to a TSA officer, who can help you complete the process manually.

What Information and Documents You Need

You do not need to bring physical documents to enroll in Touchless ID at the airport kiosk. The system accesses your TSA PreCheck account and matches your face to the photo already on file from your passport or driver's license process.

Before you travel, make sure your TSA PreCheck membership is active and current. You can check your membership status on the TSA website by logging into your account. If your membership has expired, you will need to renew it before you can use Touchless ID.

If you are pre-enrolling online, you will need your TSA PreCheck membership number and access to the email address associated with your account. The online form will ask you to confirm details from your passport or driver's license, but you will not upload new documents.

Airports and Locations Where Touchless ID Works

Touchless ID is available at a limited number of airports across the United States. As of now, major airports including Denver International, Phoenix Sky Harbor, and several others have installed Touchless ID kiosks in their TSA PreCheck lanes. The list of participating airports grows regularly, but coverage is not yet nationwide.

To find out whether your departure airport has Touchless ID, visit the TSA website and search for your airport code, or check your airline's mobile app — many airlines display which security features are available at each terminal. If your airport does not yet offer Touchless ID, you can still use your physical TSA PreCheck card to move through the PreCheck lane.

Even if you enroll in Touchless ID at one airport, you can use it at any other participating airport. Your enrollment is stored in the TSA system and is recognized nationwide.

What Happens If the Kiosk Cannot Verify Your Identity

If the Touchless ID kiosk cannot match your face to the photo on file, it will display a message and direct you to speak with a TSA officer. This can happen if the lighting is poor, if your appearance has changed significantly since your TSA PreCheck photo was taken, or if there is a technical issue with the system.

When you speak with the TSA officer, they can help you complete enrollment manually or allow you to proceed through security using your physical TSA PreCheck card. You can try enrolling in Touchless ID again on a future trip — there is no penalty for an unsuccessful attempt.

If you consistently have trouble with the facial recognition system, you can continue using your physical TSA PreCheck card without any loss of benefits or status. Touchless ID is optional, and your regular TSA PreCheck membership remains valid.

Privacy and Data Security Considerations

Your facial image is stored in a TSA database and is used only for identity verification at airport security. The TSA does not share your biometric data with other government agencies or private companies without your consent. Your face scan is encrypted and protected under the same security standards as other TSA PreCheck information.

When you enroll in Touchless ID, you are asked to consent to facial recognition explicitly. You can decline to use Touchless ID and continue using your physical TSA PreCheck card instead — declining does not affect your membership or your access to TSA PreCheck lanes.

If you have concerns about facial recognition technology or privacy, you can opt out of Touchless ID entirely. Your TSA PreCheck membership and all its benefits remain available to you without using the touchless feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need TSA PreCheck to use Touchless ID?

Yes. Touchless ID is a feature within TSA PreCheck, not a separate program. You must have an active TSA PreCheck membership to enroll in or use Touchless ID. If you do not have TSA PreCheck yet, you will need to join that program first.

Can I use Touchless ID if I wear glasses or have changed my appearance?

Touchless ID can work with glasses, but the system performs best when your face is clearly visible. If your appearance has changed significantly since your TSA PreCheck photo was taken — such as a major change in hairstyle or facial hair — the kiosk may have trouble matching your face. A TSA officer can information you if this happens.

What if I lose my TSA PreCheck card after I enroll in Touchless ID?

You can still use Touchless ID at the airport without your physical card. However, if you travel to an airport that does not have Touchless ID kiosks, you will need your physical card to access the TSA PreCheck lane. You can request a replacement card from the TSA website.

Is Touchless ID available internationally?

Touchless ID is available only at U.S. airports. It does not work at international airports or for international travel. When you travel outside the United States, you will need your physical TSA PreCheck card and your passport.

Can I use Touchless ID for every flight?

You can use Touchless ID at any participating airport. However, not all airports have Touchless ID kiosks yet. If your departure airport does not offer it, you can use your physical TSA PreCheck card as usual. Your Touchless ID enrollment remains active for future trips to airports that do have the kiosks.