You need to update your TSA PreCheck record through the TSA website or by phone, not through the airport or your airline

If your legal name has changed—through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason—your TSA PreCheck membership still shows your old name. The TSA will not recognize you at security if your boarding pass name does not match your PreCheck record. You update it by logging into your TSA PreCheck account online or by calling the TSA directly; you do not need to renew your entire membership or pay a new fee.

The process takes a few minutes if you do it online, or about 15 minutes on the phone. You will need your current legal name document—a driver's license, passport, or court order—and your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN). The change usually takes effect within 24 hours, though it can take up to 72 hours in some cases.

Key Takeaways

  • Update your name through the official TSA PreCheck website (tsa.gov/precheck) or by calling 1-855-347-8371; do not attempt to change it at the airport.
  • You will need your current legal name document and your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number, which appears on your membership card or confirmation email.
  • Name changes do not require you to renew your membership or pay a new fee—you are updating your existing record.
  • The name change typically takes effect within 24 hours, but allow up to 72 hours before your next flight.

How to change your name online through the TSA website

Go to tsa.gov/precheck and log in with your username and password. If you do not remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. Once you are logged in, look for "Manage Your process" or "Update Your Profile"—the exact wording varies slightly depending on when your account was created.

Click on the section that lets you edit your personal information. You will see your current legal name displayed. Enter your new legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID—first name, middle name (if any), and last name. Do not use nicknames or abbreviations. After you enter the new name, you will be asked to upload or photograph a copy of your legal name document. A driver's license, passport, birth certificate, or court order all work. Make sure the document is clear and readable.

Review the information you entered, then submit. You will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Your TSA PreCheck record will update within 24 hours, though it can take up to 72 hours. Check your email for any requests for additional information—if the TSA cannot read your document clearly, they will ask you to resubmit it.

How to change your name by phone

Call the TSA PreCheck customer service line at 1-855-347-8371. Have your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number ready—it is on your membership card or in your confirmation email. You will also need your current legal name document nearby so you can read the information to the representative.

Tell the representative your new legal name and provide the details from your name-change document. They will update your record in the system while you are on the phone. Ask them to confirm the new name is spelled correctly before you hang up. You will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes, and your record will update within 24 hours.

The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times vary, especially during peak travel seasons.

What name to use on your boarding pass after the change

Once your TSA PreCheck record is updated, your boarding pass name must match your new legal name exactly. When you book your flight, enter your name as it now appears on your government ID. If you book before your TSA PreCheck record updates, your boarding pass will show your old name, and TSA PreCheck will not work at security—you will go through standard screening instead.

If you have a flight booked before your name change takes effect, contact your airline to update the name on your reservation. Most airlines let you change the name for free if you do it before check-in. After check-in, most airlines charge a fee or do not allow changes at all.

What happens if your boarding pass name does not match your TSA PreCheck record

If your boarding pass shows your old name but your TSA PreCheck record shows your new name, the TSA system will not recognize you as a PreCheck member. You will be sent to standard security screening, which is slower and may include removing shoes, belts, and liquids from your bag. You will still be able to fly—the mismatch does not prevent boarding—but you will lose the PreCheck benefit for that flight.

This is why it is important to update your boarding pass name as soon as your legal name changes, and to wait for your TSA PreCheck record to update before you book your next flight. If you are unsure whether your update has gone through, log back into your TSA PreCheck account and check that your new name appears in your profile.

If you cannot find your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number

Your KTN is a nine-character code that the TSA assigns when you enroll in PreCheck. It appears on your membership card and in your enrollment confirmation email. If you have lost both, log into your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov/precheck—your KTN will be displayed in your profile under "Manage Your process."

If you cannot log in because you have forgotten your username or password, use the password reset link on the login page. If you still cannot access your account, call TSA PreCheck customer service at 1-855-347-8371 and they will look up your KTN by your name and date of birth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay again to update my name in TSA PreCheck?

No. A name change is a free update to your existing membership. You do not renew your membership or pay any fee. Your PreCheck membership remains active for the full five-year period from your original enrollment date.

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

The TSA usually updates your record within 24 hours of your submission. In some cases it can take up to 72 hours. Do not book a flight until your new name appears in your TSA PreCheck profile, or your boarding pass will not match your record.

Can I change my name at the airport?

No. TSA agents at security cannot update your PreCheck record. You must update it online or by phone before you arrive at the airport. If you arrive at security with a mismatched name, you will go through standard screening.

What if I changed my name but my airline still shows my old name?

Contact your airline directly to update your reservation. Most airlines let you change the name for free before check-in. Your boarding pass name must match your government ID and your TSA PreCheck record for PreCheck to work.

Do I need to update my TSA PreCheck if I only changed my middle name?

Yes. Your TSA PreCheck record must match your government ID exactly, including your middle name. Update it through the website or by phone even if only your middle name changed.