Your TSA PreCheck number is in your confirmation email or on the TSA website

When you complete your TSA PreCheck process and pass your background check, the TSA sends you a confirmation email with your Known Traveler Number (KTN). That email is the fastest place to look first. If you cannot find it, you can log into your TSA PreCheck account on the official TSA website and retrieve your number there. You can also call the TSA directly at 1-855-347-8371 if you need help locating it.

Your TSA PreCheck number is a 10-digit code that you enter when booking flights. It is not the same as your process receipt number or your trusted traveler program ID from other programs. Knowing where to find this specific number matters because airlines need it to give you TSA PreCheck benefits at the airport.

Key Takeaways

  • Your confirmation email from the TSA contains your 10-digit Known Traveler Number, which is the number you use when booking flights.
  • You can log into your TSA PreCheck account at the official TSA website using your process number and date of birth to view your number anytime.
  • The TSA customer service line at 1-855-347-8371 can provide your number if you cannot locate it through email or your online account.
  • Your TSA PreCheck number is different from your process receipt number, so make sure you are using the correct one when you book travel.

Check your email for the TSA confirmation message

The TSA sends a confirmation email as soon as your background check clears and your TSA PreCheck membership is active. This email includes your Known Traveler Number in the body of the message. Search your email inbox for messages from the TSA or from noreply@tsa.dhs.gov. If you received your approval more than a few months ago, the email may be in an archive folder or marked as read.

If you cannot find the original email, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes TSA emails get filtered there by mistake. The subject line usually says something like "TSA PreCheck process Approved" or "Your Known Traveler Number." Once you locate the email, your 10-digit number will be clearly labeled as your KTN or Known Traveler Number.

Log into your TSA PreCheck account online

Go to the official TSA PreCheck website at universalEnroll.tsa.dhs.gov. Click the "Sign In" button and enter your process number (the receipt number you received when you first submitted your process) and your date of birth. Once you are logged in, your account dashboard will display your Known Traveler Number.

This method works even if you have lost your confirmation email or if it has been years since you received your approval. Your account stays active as long as your TSA PreCheck membership is current. If you forget your process number, you can use your email address instead to look up your account, though you may need to verify your identity first.

Call the TSA customer service line

The TSA operates a customer service phone line at 1-855-347-8371 that can provide your Known Traveler Number over the phone. Have your process number and date of birth ready when you call. The line is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.

Wait times can be long during peak travel seasons, so calling early in the day or on a weekday morning usually means a shorter hold. The representative will verify your identity and then read your 10-digit number to you. Write it down or ask them to repeat it to make sure you have it correct.

What to do if you never received a confirmation email

If you completed your TSA PreCheck process and passed your background check but never got a confirmation email, start by checking your spam folder and your email provider's promotions tab. Then try logging into your account on the TSA website using your process number — if your membership is active, your number will be there even if the email went missing.

If your account shows no membership or no number, contact the TSA customer service line. They can confirm whether your background check actually cleared and your membership is active. Sometimes applications get stuck in processing, or the TSA may need additional information from you before your membership becomes official. The customer service team can tell you what step you are on and what happens next.

Using your number when you book a flight

When you book a flight online or by phone, the airline will ask for your Known Traveler Number. Enter your 10-digit TSA PreCheck number exactly as it appears in your confirmation email or account. Some airlines call this field "Known Traveler Number," "KTN," or "Trusted Traveler Number" — they all mean the same thing.

Entering your number correctly at booking is what gets you into the TSA PreCheck security line at the airport. If you enter it wrong or leave it blank, you will go through standard security screening instead. You can usually add your number to an existing flight reservation after you book, so if you forget it at checkout, you can go back and add it later through your airline account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my TSA PreCheck number the same as my process receipt number?

No. Your process receipt number is what you get when you first submit your process. Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a different 10-digit code that you receive after your background check clears. You use the KTN when booking flights, not the receipt number.

What if I have TSA PreCheck but I do not remember my process number to log in?

Use your email address instead of your process number to sign into your TSA PreCheck account. You may need to verify your identity through a security question or a code sent to your email. If that does not work, call the TSA customer service line at 1-855-347-8371 and they can help you retrieve your information.

Can I use my TSA PreCheck number for other trusted traveler programs?

No. TSA PreCheck has its own number that works only for TSA PreCheck benefits. If you also have Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, those programs have separate numbers. You can add multiple trusted traveler numbers to your airline account if you belong to more than one program.

How long does it take to get a TSA PreCheck number after approval?

You receive your Known Traveler Number as soon as your background check clears and your membership is activated. This usually happens within a few days of your in-person appointment, though it can take up to two weeks in some cases. The TSA will email your number to you automatically once it is ready.

What if my TSA PreCheck number is not working when I book a flight?

Double-check that you entered the number correctly — it should be exactly 10 digits with no spaces or dashes. Make sure your TSA PreCheck membership has not expired; memberships last five years from the date of approval. If the number is correct and your membership is current, contact your airline to make sure they processed it correctly in their system.