How Long Does It Take To Get TSA PreCheck?

The short answer: most TSA PreCheck applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) within 3 to 5 days of completing enrollment. A small number of applications, typically those that require additional background check review, can take up to 60 days. 

Even then, TSA PreCheck is worth the wait because one enrollment lasts 5 years.

If you’ve been considering signing up, now is the time. The program now spans over 200 U.S. airports and 100 airlines. And starting this year, the TSA rolled out Touchless ID, allowing eligible PreCheck members to move through security faster than ever.

If you're ready to apply now, GOV+ can walk you through the application process in under five minutes. Start your application today.

The TSA PreCheck enrollment process

Before you begin pursuing the TSA PreCheck enrollment process, make sure that you are eligible to apply. For instance, you need to be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and able to pass a criminal background check.  Learn more about the eligibility requirements prior to initiating the TSA PreCheck enrollment process.

1. Fill Out The Online Application
Applying for TSA PreCheck starts with an easy online application. You can start it here with GOV+.

2. Schedule an In-Person Appointment
Once your online application is submitted, the next step is scheduling an in-person appointment at a TSA enrollment center. This is where your identity is verified in person — you will present your required documents, complete a background check, and have your fingerprints taken. You’ll also pay a fee, which varies depending on the provider.

GOV+ will schedule your appointment for you and guide you through the rest of the process.

3. Receive Your Known Traveler Number

Upon approval, TSA will email you a Known Traveler Number (KTN). This is a number you’ll want to have on hand every time you make airline reservations. You’ll add the number to your booking to indicate that you are a TSA PreCheck participant, which means you can anticipate all the benefits that come from this program upon your arrival at the airport on the day of your departure. Your enrollment will also be noted on your boarding pass. It will be valid for 5 years.

Should you need to look up your TSA PreCheck number, you may do so by visiting the TSA PreCheck® KTN Lookup webpage. 

TSA PreCheck benefits

Once you have successfully enrolled in TSA PreCheck, you should look for the dedicated TSA PreCheck security screening lanes once you arrive at the airport. As a TSA PreCheck program participant, you will not need to remove your shoes, belt, 3-1-1 compliant bag, light jacket/outerwear, or your laptop from your carry-on bag.2

If you have children 12 years old or younger, they may accompany you in the TSA PreCheck lane without restriction, but children 13-17 must have the TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass. Here is more information about TSA PreCheck and traveling with family members, including young children.

Touchless ID is another new benefit of the TSA PreCheck. At participating airports, eligible PreCheck members can skip the ID hand-off entirely. If you opt in for touchless ID through your airline's app, your face serves as both your boarding pass and biometric identification at the checkpoint.

At this time, 200 airports participate in the TSA PreCheck program, and the full list of participating airlines can be found here.

Ready to apply?

GOV+ makes the process easy:

• Simple online form — no paper forms, no government websites to navigate
• Eligibility check — we confirm you qualify before you start
• Appointment scheduling — we set up any required in-person visits for you
• Document guidance — we make sure you have everything you need to avoid delays
• Real-time tracking — monitor your application status at every step
• 24/7 expert support — get answers fast without waiting on hold

And once you're approved, GOV+ keeps your membership from slipping through the cracks — with automatic renewal reminders so your PreCheck never expires without warning.

Apply for or renew TSA PreCheck today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to get TSA PreCheck?

Most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in about 3–5 days, but background-check issues or high application volumes can extend processing to as long as 60 days.

In a hurry? GOV+ can guide you through the process and ensure you don’t make any mistakes on your application that can slow down the process.

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2. Do I need a REAL ID if I’m using TSA PreCheck?

Yes. Starting May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older must present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (marked with a star) or another acceptable form of identification (like a passport or Global Entry card) to fly within the United States.

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2. When should I apply for TSA PreCheck before my trip (and how far ahead to renew)?

Apply at your earliest convenience if planning a trip, to account for potential processing up to 60 days. For renewals, do so at least 60 days before your current TSA PreCheck indicator expires.

GOV+ can help ensure your TSA PreCheck status never expires with our Renewal Reminders. We’ll remind you well in advance when you need to renew and help you through the process.

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3. What documentation will I need at my appointment?

You will need to present documents that verify both your identity and your U.S. citizenship. The simplest way to satisfy both requirements at once is with a valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card, which counts as proof of both.

If you do not yet have a passport, you can bring two separate documents instead: 

• a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license or state ID) to confirm your identity
• an original or certified copy of your birth certificate to establish citizenship

One detail that applicants sometimes overlook: If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or a court order, bring the corresponding certified documentation — such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal name-change order — to your appointment. Missing this step is one of the most common causes of delays, and it is easy to avoid with a little preparation.

Document guidance is something we guide you through if you apply for TSA PreCheck using Gov+. If you want to make sure you’re taken care of every step of the way, start your application.

4. How will I be notified when my TSA PreCheck application is approved? (email, phone, text)

Once your TSA PreCheck application is approved, you will receive a notification via email, phone, or text — whichever contact preferences you opted into during the enrollment process.

5. Does TSA PreCheck guarantee I will get expedited screening every time I fly?

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TSA PreCheck significantly increases your chances of a faster, smoother experience at airport security — but it does not come with an absolute guarantee. The TSA is clear that no traveler can be promised expedited screening on every trip, due to unpredictable security measures that may be in place at any given airport on any given day, both visible and behind the scenes.

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