Update your name with TSA by submitting a form to the TSA PreCheck program, not to the airport or airline

If your legal name has changed since you enrolled in TSA PreCheck — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — you need to notify TSA directly. TSA PreCheck does not automatically pull updates from your state ID or passport. You must contact the TSA PreCheck program yourself and provide proof of your name change. The process takes a few weeks, and you will need your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) and documentation of the legal change.

Do not call the airport, your airline, or TSA's general customer service line. The TSA PreCheck program has its own update process, and going through the wrong channel will delay your change or send you in circles.

Key Takeaways

  • You must submit a name change request directly to the TSA PreCheck program using their official form, not through the airport or airline.
  • You will need to provide legal documentation of your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
  • The TSA PreCheck program will review your request and update your account, which typically takes two to four weeks.
  • Your TSA PreCheck KTN remains the same even after your name changes, so you do not need a new enrollment.
  • Until your name is updated in the TSA system, you may experience delays at airport security if your boarding pass name does not match your ID.

How to submit a name change request to TSA PreCheck

Visit the official TSA PreCheck website and look for the "Update Your Information" or "Manage Your Account" section. You will be asked to log in with your TSA PreCheck credentials. If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one using your KTN and the email address you provided when you enrolled.

Once logged in, select the option to update your personal information and choose "name change" from the menu. You will be prompted to enter your new legal name exactly as it appears on your current government-issued ID. Have your ID in front of you to may support accuracy — TSA will cross-check this against your documentation.

After you enter your new name, the system will ask you to upload or mail a copy of your legal name change document. Acceptable documents include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or naturalization certificate. The document must be an official copy, not a photocopy you made yourself. If you are mailing it, include a cover letter with your KTN, your old name, your new name, and your contact information.

What documents TSA PreCheck needs to verify your name change

TSA will accept an official certified copy of your name change document. This means the document must come from the government office that issued it — the county clerk for a marriage certificate, the court for a divorce decree, or the vital records office for a name change order. A photocopy you made at home will not be accepted.

If you are uploading the document online, take a clear photo or scan of both sides if applicable. Make sure the document is legible and shows the official seal or stamp. If you are mailing it, send it to the address provided on the TSA PreCheck website's update form — do not send it to the airport or a general TSA office.

Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for your records. TSA will send you an email when your request is received and another when your name change has been processed.

How long the name change process takes

After TSA receives your request and documentation, the review typically takes two to four weeks. During this time, TSA will verify that your new name matches your government ID and that your legal change document is authentic. You can check the status of your request by logging into your TSA PreCheck account online.

If TSA needs more information or finds an issue with your documentation, they will contact you by email or phone. Respond as quickly as you can, because delays on your end will extend the overall timeline. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email, and your account will show your updated name.

What to do at the airport while your name change is being processed

Until your name is officially updated in the TSA system, your boarding pass will show your new legal name (because the airline pulls from your ID), but the TSA PreCheck database will still have your old name. This mismatch can trigger additional screening at the security checkpoint.

When you reach security, inform the TSA officer that you have a pending name change with TSA PreCheck and show them your confirmation email from your submission. Have your ID ready as well. The officer can manually verify your KTN in the system and may allow you to proceed through PreCheck screening, though this is not may provide — some officers will require you to go through standard screening until the update is complete.

To avoid delays, consider traveling with your legal name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) in your carry-on bag. If the TSA officer has questions, the document serves as proof that your name change is legitimate and recent.

Your TSA PreCheck KTN does not change

Your Known Traveler Number stays the same throughout the name change process. You do not need to re-enroll, pay another fee, or get a new background check. TSA straightforward updates the name associated with your existing KTN in their database.

When you book your next flight after your name change is complete, make sure you enter your name exactly as it now appears on your government ID. The airline will match this against your ID at check-in, and TSA will match it against their updated PreCheck database. Consistency across all three — your ID, your booking, and TSA's records — is what allows you to move through PreCheck screening smoothly.

If your name change is not showing up after four weeks

If more than four weeks have passed and your TSA PreCheck account still shows your old name, log in and check the status of your request. If the status shows "pending," your request may still be under review — some requests take longer if TSA needs to verify additional information.

If the status shows "rejected" or "incomplete," TSA will have sent you an explanation by email. Common reasons include a document that did not scan clearly, a mismatch between the name on your document and the name you entered, or a document that is not an official certified copy. Follow the instructions in the rejection email to resubmit.

If you cannot find a status update or have not received any communication from TSA, contact the TSA PreCheck program directly through their website's contact form. Provide your KTN, your old name, your new name, and the date you submitted your request. Do not call the general TSA number — use only the TSA PreCheck-specific contact method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update my name with the airline too?

No. The airline pulls your name from your government ID at check-in, so they will automatically see your new name when you present your ID. You only need to update TSA PreCheck to may support the name in their database matches your ID and your boarding pass.

What if I got married and my passport still has my old name?

Submit your marriage certificate to TSA PreCheck to update your TSA account. You can update your passport separately through the State Department — that is a different process and timeline. TSA will accept your marriage certificate as proof of your legal name change even if your passport has not been updated yet.

Can I change my name online or do I have to mail documents?

You can do both. The TSA PreCheck website allows you to upload documents directly through your account, which is faster than mailing. If you prefer to mail your documents, you can do that too — the form will provide the mailing address. Online submission usually results in faster processing.

Will I lose my TSA PreCheck benefits while my name change is being processed?

Your KTN remains active and valid throughout the process. However, the name mismatch between your ID and TSA's database may cause delays at security until the update is complete. You may be pulled aside for additional screening even though your PreCheck is still active.

What if I changed my name years ago and never updated TSA PreCheck?

Submit your name change documentation now, even if the change happened long ago. TSA will process it the same way. Bring your legal name change document and follow the standard update process through your TSA PreCheck account.