Children can get TSA PreCheck at any age, but the rules differ based on whether they travel alone or with a parent

A child of any age can be enrolled in TSA PreCheck. If your child is under 18, you enroll them through a parent or guardian's account at no extra cost — they ride on your membership. If your child is 18 or older, they pay the full fee and open their own account, just like an adult.

The practical difference matters at the airport. Children under 18 who travel with an enrolled parent go through PreCheck lanes together. Children who travel alone, or whose parent is not enrolled, go through standard security even if the child has their own PreCheck number.

Key Takeaways

  • Children under 18 can be added to a parent's or guardian's TSA PreCheck account at no additional cost.
  • A child traveling with an enrolled parent uses the parent's PreCheck benefits; the child does not need their own membership.
  • Children 18 and older must pay the full TSA PreCheck fee and enroll separately if they want their own membership.
  • Children traveling alone without an enrolled parent go through standard security screening, even if they have a PreCheck number.

How to add a child under 18 to your PreCheck account

When you enroll in TSA PreCheck or renew your membership, you can add up to one child under 18 to your account during the process process. You provide the child's full name, date of birth, and citizenship information. The child does not need to visit an enrollment center or provide fingerprints — the parent's background check covers the household.

The child's name and TSA Known Traveler Number (KTN) will be linked to your account. When you book flights, you enter your KTN in the reservation. At the airport, you and your child present your IDs together at the PreCheck lane. The TSA agent verifies that the child is listed on your account and allows both of you through.

If you already have PreCheck and want to add a child, you cannot do it online. You must visit an enrollment center, bring the child's birth certificate or passport, and pay a $85 modification fee. Some enrollment centers allow you to add a child without the child being present, but policies vary — call ahead to confirm.

What happens when a child travels without an enrolled parent

If your child is under 18 and travels alone, or travels with a parent who does not have PreCheck, the child goes through standard security screening. This is true even if the child has their own PreCheck number from a previous enrollment.

The TSA does not allow unaccompanied minors to use PreCheck lanes. The reasoning is that PreCheck relies on trusted traveler status, and the TSA verifies identity and background through the adult enrollee. A child traveling alone cannot independently verify their identity in the same way.

If your child travels frequently without you, consider whether enrolling them in their own PreCheck account makes sense. They would pay the full $78 to $85 fee (depending on whether they renew or enroll new) and would only benefit from PreCheck when traveling with you after you enroll. If they travel alone, the membership would not reduce their screening time.

Enrolling a teenager in their own PreCheck account

At 18, your child can open their own TSA PreCheck account and pay the full enrollment fee. They will need a valid passport, Real ID driver's license, or state ID. They must visit an enrollment center in person for fingerprinting and identity verification — this cannot be done online or by mail.

Enrollment takes about 10 to 15 minutes at the center. The TSA will run a background check, which typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. Once approved, your child receives a KTN and can use PreCheck on their own flights, regardless of whether you are traveling with them.

The cost is $78 to $85 for a five-year membership, depending on the enrollment center and whether your child qualifies for any discounts. Military members, federal employees, and some other groups receive reduced rates. Ask at the enrollment center whether your child qualifies.

Real ID and PreCheck: what your child needs

Your child does not need a Real ID to use PreCheck. A regular state driver's license, passport, or passport card works for TSA screening. Real ID is required only for domestic flights if you do not have PreCheck — it is a separate federal ID standard that some states have adopted.

If your child has PreCheck, they can use a standard ID at the airport. If your child does not have PreCheck and is flying domestically, they will need either a Real ID or a passport. Check your state's DMV website to see whether your child's current ID meets Real ID standards.

PreCheck for infants and very young children

Infants and toddlers can be added to a parent's PreCheck account, but they still go through security screening. The difference is that you and your child move through the PreCheck lane together, which is usually shorter and less crowded than standard lines.

Young children do not remove shoes, belts, or light jackets in PreCheck lanes, and you can keep a child in a car seat or stroller. These small conveniences add up on busy travel days. If you travel with a young child several times a year, PreCheck often pays for itself in time saved and stress reduced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my 16-year-old get their own TSA PreCheck without me?

No. At 16, your child can only be added to your PreCheck account. They must be 18 to enroll independently and pay their own fee. Until then, they can only use PreCheck when traveling with you.

What if my child's name changes after I enroll them in PreCheck?

Contact the TSA at 1-855-347-8371 or visit an enrollment center to update your child's name in the system. Bring a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order showing the name change. There is no additional fee for the update.

Do I have to add my child to my PreCheck, or can they get their own membership?

Children under 18 cannot get their own PreCheck membership — they must be added to a parent's or guardian's account. This is the only way for them to use PreCheck before age 18. At 18, they can choose to enroll separately if they want their own account.

Will my child's PreCheck still work if I let my membership expire?

No. Your child's PreCheck access ends when your membership expires. If you renew, your child's access resumes. If your membership expires and you do not renew, your child loses PreCheck status until you re-enroll.