Touchless TSA PreCheck enrollment is available at select airports and enrollment centers, letting you complete most of the process without handling documents or touching shared surfaces

You can now enroll in TSA PreCheck using touchless technology at participating locations. The process uses a kiosk or mobile app to capture your fingerprints and photos without you handing over documents or touching a clerk's equipment. Not every enrollment center offers this option yet, so you will need to find a location near you that has the equipment, then book an appointment in advance.

The touchless method works the same way as a standard PreCheck enrollment in terms of what TSA requires from you — background check, fingerprints, photos, and identity verification. The difference is how you provide that information. Instead of sitting across from an agent and handing over your passport or driver's license, you scan your documents yourself using the kiosk, and the machine captures your biometric data directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Touchless PreCheck enrollment is available only at certain airports and enrollment centers, so you must search for a participating location before booking.
  • You will need a valid passport, driver's license, or state ID, plus proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, just as you would for in-person enrollment.
  • The appointment process is the same: you book a time slot on the TSA PreCheck website, pay the $78 to $85 fee, and complete the enrollment in one visit.
  • Touchless kiosks capture your fingerprints and photo electronically, but you still answer questions about your background and sign consent forms as part of the process.

Finding a touchless enrollment location near you

Start at the official TSA PreCheck enrollment website. Use the "Find an Enrollment Center" tool and filter for locations that offer touchless enrollment. The map will show you which airports and third-party enrollment centers in your area have the equipment. Not all locations have upgraded to touchless kiosks yet, so your nearest standard enrollment center may be several miles away.

Call the enrollment center directly before booking if you want to confirm they have a working touchless kiosk on the day you plan to go. Some centers may have equipment that is temporarily out of service, and staff can tell you whether touchless appointments are currently available or whether you should book a standard in-person slot instead.

What documents to bring to your touchless appointment

Bring the same documents you would bring to any PreCheck enrollment: one valid form of government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or state ID) and proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. Proof of citizenship can be a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or passport. If you are a lawful permanent resident, bring your green card or I-797 approval notice.

You do not need to print anything or bring copies. The kiosk will scan your documents and store the images electronically. Bring the originals so the machine can read them clearly. If your documents are worn, faded, or damaged, the scanner may have trouble reading them, so inspect them before your appointment.

Booking your touchless PreCheck appointment

Go to the TSA PreCheck website and select the touchless enrollment center you want to visit. The booking system will show you available time slots for the next several weeks. Choose a date and time that works for you, then enter your name, email, and phone number. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details and a barcode or reference number.

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so you have time to check in. Bring your confirmation email or reference number with you. The entire process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes at a touchless kiosk, though wait times can vary depending on how busy the location is that day.

How the touchless kiosk process works

When you arrive, staff will direct you to an available kiosk. You will scan your ID and citizenship document using the machine's document scanner. The kiosk will display your information on the screen so you can verify it is correct. If anything is wrong or unclear, you can ask staff to help you rescan the document.

Next, the kiosk will guide you through a series of background questions — the same ones asked during standard enrollment. You answer using the touchscreen, and your responses are recorded. Then the machine will capture your fingerprints using an electronic fingerprint scanner and take a digital photo of your face. You do not touch anything except the screen and the fingerprint scanner, which the kiosk cleans between each person.

After your biometric data is captured, you will review and sign consent forms on the screen. Some kiosks use a stylus or your finger to sign; others print a form for you to sign by hand. Once you have finished, the kiosk will print a receipt confirming your enrollment appointment. Staff will collect your documents and send them to TSA for processing.

What happens after your touchless appointment

TSA will process your background check, which usually takes three to five business days. You will receive an email when your background check is complete. If you are approved, you will get a second email with instructions on how to schedule an in-person appointment to receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) and physical PreCheck card. If you are not approved, TSA will send you a letter explaining why.

The final step is a brief in-person visit to pick up your KTN and card. This appointment is usually much shorter than the initial enrollment — often just five minutes. You will show your ID, receive your card, and get your nine-digit KTN, which you can start using on airline reservations right away. Some enrollment centers will mail your card to you instead, depending on their procedures.

Touchless PreCheck fees and timeline

Touchless PreCheck costs the same as standard PreCheck: $78 to $85 depending on the enrollment center. You pay this fee when you book your appointment on the TSA website. The fee is non-refundable if you miss your appointment without canceling at least one business day in advance.

The entire process from your first touchless appointment to receiving your card usually takes four to six weeks. The background check takes three to five business days, and then you need to schedule and complete your final in-person appointment to get your KTN and card. If you need PreCheck before a specific trip, book your appointment as early as possible so you have time to complete both steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my passport card instead of my full passport for touchless enrollment?

Yes. A passport card is a valid form of government-issued photo ID and works the same way as a passport book. The kiosk will scan it just as it would a driver's license or full passport. Make sure the card is not damaged or faded so the scanner can read it clearly.

What if the touchless kiosk cannot read my documents?

If the scanner has trouble reading your ID or citizenship document, staff will help you try again or may ask you to complete enrollment using the standard in-person method instead. If your documents are too worn or damaged, you may need to renew them before you can enroll in PreCheck.

Do I still need to go back for a second appointment after touchless enrollment?

Yes. Touchless enrollment captures your biometric data and background information, but you still need a final brief in-person appointment to receive your physical PreCheck card and Known Traveler Number. Some centers mail the card instead, so ask during your first appointment whether you will need to return or if it will be mailed to you.

Can I cancel or reschedule my touchless PreCheck appointment?

Yes. You can cancel or reschedule through the TSA PreCheck website using your confirmation email or reference number. You must make changes at least one business day before your appointment. If you cancel within one business day of your appointment, you may lose your $78 to $85 fee.

What if there is no touchless enrollment center near me?

You can still enroll in standard PreCheck at any enrollment center, which works the same way except you hand documents to an agent instead of scanning them yourself. The cost, timeline, and final benefits are identical. Touchless is an option for convenience, not a requirement.