Update Your Name Through the TSA Website or by Phone

You can change the name on your TSA PreCheck account in two ways: online through your account on the TSA website, or by calling the TSA directly. The online method is faster and takes about 10 minutes. If you've had a legal name change—through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason—you'll need to update it so your boarding pass matches your PreCheck record.

To change your name online, log into your TSA PreCheck account at universalenroll.dhs.gov, go to "Update Profile," and enter your new legal name exactly as it appears on your current government-issued ID. The system will ask you to confirm the change. Once submitted, your update typically processes within 24 to 48 hours, though you may see it reflected when ready in some cases.

If you prefer to call, contact the TSA PreCheck Program at 1-855-347-8371. Have your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) and current government ID ready. A representative will verify your identity and update your name in the system over the phone. This method takes about 15 minutes and produces the same result as the online update.

Key Takeaways

  • You can update your TSA PreCheck name online at universalenroll.dhs.gov by logging into your account and selecting "Update Profile."
  • Your new name must match exactly what appears on your current government-issued ID—driver's license, passport, or state ID.
  • Online updates usually process within 24 to 48 hours; phone updates through 1-855-347-8371 happen when ready but require your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number.
  • You do not need to pay a fee or renew your membership to change your name—it is a free update to your existing account.
  • After your name is updated, make sure your airline reservation and boarding pass use the same legal name as your TSA PreCheck record.

What Documents You Need Before You Start

Have your current government-issued ID in front of you before you begin the update. This can be a U.S. driver's license, passport, passport card, or state ID. The name on your TSA PreCheck account must match this document exactly—including the order of first, middle, and last names, and any suffixes like Jr., Sr., or III.

If you are updating your name because of a recent legal change, you do not need to upload proof of the name change (such as a marriage certificate or court order) to update your TSA PreCheck account. However, keep that document handy in case TSA asks for it during the verification process, which is rare but possible.

You will also need your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) if you call instead of using the website. You can find this number in your TSA PreCheck approval email, on your membership card, or by logging into your account online.

Step-by-Step: Updating Online

Step 1: Log into your account. Go to universalenroll.dhs.gov and click "Sign In." Use the same login credentials (email and password) you created when you first enrolled in TSA PreCheck. If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot Password" and follow the reset link sent to your email.

Step 2: Navigate to your profile. Once logged in, look for a menu option labeled "Update Profile," "My Account," or "Profile Settings"—the exact wording varies slightly depending on when your account was created. Click it to open your account details.

Step 3: Enter your new legal name. Find the field showing your current name and click to edit it. Type your new legal name exactly as it appears on your government ID. Pay close attention to spacing, capitalization, and the order of names. For example, if your ID says "Mary Jane Smith-Johnson," enter it that way, not "Mary J. Smith Johnson."

Step 4: Confirm and submit. Review the name change one more time to make sure it matches your ID. Click "Save" or "Submit." The system will show a confirmation message. You may receive a confirmation email at the address on file.

Step 5: Wait for processing. Your update will be processed within 24 to 48 hours. You can log back into your account to verify the change has been saved. Once updated, your new name will appear on your TSA PreCheck record and will be used when you check in for flights.

Updating by Phone: What to Expect

Call the TSA PreCheck Program at 1-855-347-8371 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time). Have your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number and your government-issued ID in front of you.

When you reach a representative, they will ask you to verify your identity by providing your date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your current name. They will then ask you to state your new legal name and confirm it matches your ID. The representative will update your account in real time, and your change takes effect when ready. Ask the representative to confirm your new name was entered correctly before you hang up.

The phone line can have wait times during peak hours (typically mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays). If you reach a busy signal, try calling back after 6 p.m. Eastern Time or on a weekend morning.

Making Sure Your Airline Reservation Matches

After your TSA PreCheck name is updated, check your airline reservations to may support your booking uses the same legal name. When you check in for your flight, your boarding pass name must match your TSA PreCheck record and your government ID. If there is a mismatch, TSA may not recognize you as a PreCheck member, and you could be sent to the standard security line.

If you have already booked flights under your old name, contact your airline to request a name change on those reservations. Most airlines allow free name corrections if the change is due to a legal name change (marriage, divorce, or court order). You may need to provide proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree. Some airlines allow you to make this change online; others require you to call their customer service line.

For future bookings, always enter your legal name exactly as it appears on your government ID and your TSA PreCheck account. This prevents confusion at check-in and ensures you can use the TSA PreCheck lane at security.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is entering your name differently than it appears on your ID. If your driver's license says "Robert Michael Johnson" but you enter "Bob Johnson," the names will not match and you may have trouble at security. Use your full legal name as shown on your government-issued ID, even if you go by a nickname or shortened version in everyday life.

Another mistake is forgetting to update your airline reservation after you update your TSA PreCheck account. Your boarding pass name must match your PreCheck record. If you change your name with TSA but your airline reservation still shows your old name, you will not be able to use the PreCheck lane.

Do not try to update your name through a third-party enrollment center or an airline website. Only the TSA website (universalenroll.dhs.gov) and the TSA PreCheck phone line (1-855-347-8371) can make official changes to your account. Scam websites sometimes pose as TSA enrollment sites and ask for payment to change your name—TSA PreCheck name changes are always free.

What Happens If Your Update Does Not Go Through

If you submitted your name change online and do not see it reflected in your account after 48 hours, log back in and check your profile. Sometimes the page needs to be refreshed or you may need to log out and log back in to see the updated information.

If the change still has not appeared, call the TSA PreCheck Program at 1-855-347-8371 to confirm the update was received. Have your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number ready. A representative can check the status of your request and resubmit it if needed. If there was an error in how your name was entered (for example, a typo), the representative can correct it over the phone when ready.

In rare cases, TSA may need additional information to process your name change, particularly if your legal name change was very recent. If this happens, TSA will contact you at the email address on file with instructions on what to provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Updating your name on your TSA PreCheck account is free. You do not need to renew your membership or pay any fee. If a website or service asks you to pay to change your TSA PreCheck name, it is not legitimate.

How long does it take for a name change to show up?

Online updates typically appear in your account within 24 to 48 hours. Phone updates take effect when ready. However, it may take an additional day or two for the change to sync with airline systems, so update your airline reservation as soon as you confirm the change with TSA.

What if my name change was due to marriage and I do not have my marriage certificate yet?

You can update your TSA PreCheck name as long as your government ID reflects your new legal name. You do not need to upload a marriage certificate to TSA. If you have not yet updated your driver's license or passport, do that first at your state DMV or the passport office, then update your TSA PreCheck to match.

Can I change my name if my TSA PreCheck membership is expired?

Yes. You can update your name on an expired TSA PreCheck account. However, you will need to renew your membership separately if you want to continue using PreCheck benefits. Name changes and renewals are two different processes.

Will changing my name affect my TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number?

No. Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) stays the same even after you change your name. You do not need a new KTN or a new membership card. Your existing KTN will work with your updated name.