What Touchless ID is and how to start

Touchless ID is a TSA program that lets you move through airport security without handing over your physical ID document. Instead, you show your ID to a camera at the checkpoint, and the system reads and verifies it electronically. You still go through the same security screening—metal detectors, bag checks, and all the rest—but the ID verification step is contactless.

To enroll, you visit a participating airport's Touchless ID kiosk, usually located near the security checkpoint. The process takes about two minutes. You'll need your valid passport, Real ID driver's license, or state ID card. There is no fee, no appointment required, and no background check. You can enroll the same day you travel or weeks in advance.

Touchless ID is currently available at a limited number of airports. TSA has installed kiosks at major hubs including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, and others, with more being added. You can check the TSA website to see if your airport has the technology before you arrive.

Key Takeaways

  • Touchless ID enrollment happens at a kiosk at the airport security checkpoint and takes about two minutes.
  • You need a valid passport, Real ID driver's license, or state ID card to enroll.
  • There is no cost, no appointment, and no background check required.
  • Once enrolled, you can use Touchless ID at any participating airport by showing your ID to the camera instead of handing it to an officer.
  • Not all airports have Touchless ID yet; check the TSA website to confirm your airport has the technology.

What documents you need to bring

You must bring one of three documents to the kiosk: a valid U.S. passport, a Real ID-compliant driver's license, or a Real ID-compliant state ID card. The document must not be expired. If your ID is expired, you cannot enroll until you renew it.

Real ID is the federal standard that most states adopted starting in 2020. If you're unsure whether your driver's license is Real ID-compliant, look for a small star in the upper right corner of the card. If the star is there, your license meets the standard. If you don't have the star and your state offers Real ID licenses, you can upgrade at your state's DMV before heading to the airport.

You do not need to bring anything else—no proof of address, no Social Security card, no second form of ID. Just the one valid document is enough.

The enrollment process at the kiosk

When you arrive at the Touchless ID kiosk, the screen will guide you through the steps. First, you'll select your document type—passport, driver's license, or state ID. Then you'll hold the document up to the camera so the kiosk can scan it. The camera reads the information encoded on the back of the card or the data page of your passport.

Next, the kiosk will ask you to take a photo of your face. You'll position yourself in front of the camera and follow the on-screen instructions. The system compares this photo to the one on your ID to confirm you are the document holder. This usually takes a few seconds.

Once the system verifies your identity, you're enrolled. The kiosk will display a confirmation message, and you can use Touchless ID at that airport and any other participating airport when ready. You do not receive a card, receipt, or confirmation number to carry with you—the enrollment is stored in the TSA system and linked to your ID document.

Using Touchless ID at security checkpoints

When you arrive at the security checkpoint at a participating airport, look for the lane marked for Touchless ID. The lane will have a camera mounted at about eye level. Walk up to the camera, hold your ID document (the same one you enrolled with) in front of it, and wait for the green light or confirmation message. The camera scans your ID and compares it to your enrolled photo in about two seconds.

Once the system confirms your identity, you proceed through the rest of security as usual—remove shoes, place bags on the belt, go through the metal detector or body scanner. Touchless ID only replaces the step where you hand your ID to an officer; everything else stays the same.

You can use Touchless ID every time you fly, even if you enrolled months or years ago. There is no renewal process. As long as your ID document is valid and you enrolled with it, you can use the system.

What happens if the camera doesn't recognize you

If the Touchless ID camera cannot verify your identity—because the photo doesn't match, the lighting is poor, or the document is damaged—the system will not let you through that lane. You'll see a message on the screen directing you to a regular security lane where you can show your ID to a TSA officer in the traditional way. This happens occasionally and is not a problem; you straightforward step out and join the standard line.

If you're having trouble with the camera repeatedly, it may be because you've changed your appearance significantly since you enrolled (new glasses, facial hair, different hairstyle). You can re-enroll at any Touchless ID kiosk to update your photo. The re-enrollment process is the same as the first time and takes about two minutes.

Airports where Touchless ID is available

Touchless ID is installed at a growing number of U.S. airports, but not all of them yet. As of the most recent updates, participating airports include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Dallas-Fort Worth International, Denver International, Los Angeles International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, and several others. TSA continues to expand the program to additional airports.

The best way to confirm whether your airport has Touchless ID is to visit the official TSA website and search for your airport code. The site lists which airports have the technology and where the kiosks are located within each terminal. If your airport does not have Touchless ID yet, you can still use standard ID verification at the checkpoint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to enroll in Touchless ID before I travel?

No. You can enroll the same day you fly, right at the airport kiosk near the security checkpoint. Many people enroll just before their flight. However, if you want to use Touchless ID on that trip, you need to enroll before you go through security, not after.

Can I use Touchless ID with a passport card instead of a full passport?

No. Touchless ID works with full passports, Real ID driver's licenses, and Real ID state ID cards only. Passport cards are not supported by the system at this time.

What if I lost my ID or it was stolen after I enrolled?

If your enrolled ID is lost or stolen, you should report it to the issuing agency (your state's DMV or the State Department for passports). Once you get a replacement ID with a new number, you'll need to re-enroll in Touchless ID with the new document at an airport kiosk. Your old enrollment will no longer work.

Is Touchless ID the same as TSA PreCheck?

No. TSA PreCheck is a paid program that requires a background check and lets you keep shoes and light jackets on during screening. Touchless ID is free and only changes how your ID is verified—it does not change the rest of the security screening process. You can have both, but they are separate programs.

Can I enroll someone else, like my child, at the kiosk?

No. The person enrolling must be present and must be the person whose ID is being scanned. Children under 18 can enroll if they have a valid ID document, but they must be at the kiosk themselves.