Where You Can Use Touchless ID at Airport Security

Touchless ID — a system that scans your face and matches it to your ID document without you handing anything over — is available at security checkpoints in a growing number of U.S. airports. As of early 2024, the TSA has installed these readers at major hubs including Atlanta (ATL), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO), Phoenix (PHX), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington Dulles (IAD). The TSA continues to add locations, so the list changes throughout the year.

The system works by scanning your face at the ID checkpoint and comparing it to your passport, Real ID driver's license, or other accepted travel document. You do not hand your ID to an officer — the machine reads it and you. If the match succeeds, you move forward without the traditional document check. The technology is optional; you can still hand your ID over and proceed the old way if you prefer.

Touchless ID is different from other TSA technology like PreCheck or Clear. You do not need to enroll in advance, pay a fee, or have any special status. It is available to any traveler at participating airports, regardless of citizenship or document type — as long as your document is machine-readable.

Key Takeaways

  • Touchless ID readers are installed at major airports including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles, with more being added regularly.
  • The system scans your face and reads your ID document automatically, so you do not hand your ID to a TSA officer.
  • Touchless ID is free and available to all travelers — you do not need PreCheck, Clear, or any prior enrollment.
  • Using touchless ID is optional; you can choose the traditional ID check instead if you prefer.
  • The technology works with U.S. passports, Real ID driver's licenses, and other machine-readable travel documents.

How Touchless ID Works at the Checkpoint

When you reach the ID checkpoint, look for signage indicating a touchless lane. Step up to the reader, which typically consists of a camera mounted at face height and a document scanner. Hold your ID document — passport, Real ID license, or other accepted credential — up to the scanner. The machine reads the document and captures your face image simultaneously.

The system compares your live face to the photo embedded in your document. This takes a few seconds. If the match is successful, a green light or prompt tells you to proceed to the next checkpoint. If the system cannot match your face or read your document clearly, it will prompt you to try again or direct you to a TSA officer for a manual check.

The entire process is faster than handing an ID to an officer and waiting for them to examine it, inspect your boarding pass, and wave you through. Most travelers report the touchless process takes 10 to 15 seconds from start to finish.

Which Documents Work With Touchless ID

Touchless ID accepts any machine-readable travel document. This includes U.S. passports, Real ID-compliant driver's licenses, passport cards, and enhanced driver's licenses. The document must have a readable chip or barcode and a clear photo page. Expired documents do not work — your ID must be valid for travel.

If you have a standard (non-Real ID) driver's license, you can still use touchless ID, but the system will still verify your identity through other means. The key requirement is that the document be machine-readable and current.

Airports Currently Offering Touchless ID

The TSA has deployed touchless ID at these major airports as of early 2024:

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
  • Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW)
  • Denver International (DEN)
  • Los Angeles International (LAX)
  • Orlando International (MCO)
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
  • San Francisco International (SFO)
  • Washington Dulles International (IAD)

The TSA has announced plans to expand touchless ID to additional airports, though specific timelines and locations are not yet public. If your airport is not on this list, check the TSA website or ask at your airport's information desk — new installations happen regularly, and a reader may have been added since this article was written.

What Happens If Your Airport Does Not Have Touchless ID

If you are traveling through an airport without touchless ID readers, you will go through the standard ID checkpoint process. Hand your document to the TSA officer, show your boarding pass, and proceed when cleared. This is the same process that has been in place for decades and works smoothly at all U.S. airports.

Touchless ID is a convenience option, not a requirement. Its absence does not slow down security or create any additional burden — it straightforward means you will interact with a TSA officer instead of a machine. Many travelers prefer this personal interaction, and the traditional checkpoint moves quickly at most airports.

Why the TSA Built Touchless ID

The TSA introduced touchless ID technology to reduce physical contact at security checkpoints and speed up the ID verification process. The system was developed and tested over several years before rolling out to major airports. It also reduces the time officers spend examining documents, which can free them up for other security tasks.

The technology is part of a broader TSA modernization effort that includes digital boarding passes, mobile IDs, and other contactless options. However, touchless ID remains optional — the TSA has not made it mandatory and has no plans to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use touchless ID if my airport has it?

No. Touchless ID is optional. If you prefer to hand your ID to a TSA officer, you can do so. straightforward step into a traditional ID lane instead of a touchless lane, or tell the officer you would rather not use the machine.

Will touchless ID slow me down if the system does not recognize my face?

If the system cannot match your face or read your document, it will direct you to a TSA officer for a manual check. This takes a bit longer than a successful touchless scan, but it is no slower than the traditional process would have been. You lose nothing by trying.

Is my face data stored or shared with other agencies?

The TSA states that face images captured by touchless ID readers are not stored or shared with other agencies. The image is used only for the real-time match to your document and is then discarded. You can read the TSA's privacy policy on their website for full details.

Can I use touchless ID with a passport from another country?

Touchless ID is designed for U.S. travel documents and U.S. citizens. Foreign passports may not work with the system. If you are a foreign national traveling through a U.S. airport, use the traditional ID checkpoint.

What if I am traveling with children?

Children under 18 traveling with a parent or guardian typically do not need to show ID at domestic security checkpoints. If your child does have a travel document and you want to use touchless ID, the system can scan their document the same way it scans an adult's.