How to Schedule Your TSA PreCheck Appointment

Where to book your TSA PreCheck appointment

You book your TSA PreCheck appointment through the official TSA PreCheck website at universalenroll.dhs.gov, not through the TSA's main website or any third-party service. This is the only place where you can see real appointment availability at enrollment centers near you.

When you arrive at the enrollment site, you'll create an account with your email address and a password. The system will ask you to choose your state and city, then show you which enrollment centers have openings. Some centers are run by the TSA directly; others are run by private contractors like Idemia or Telos. Both types are legitimate — the difference is mainly in location and how busy they are.

Appointment slots fill up weeks or months in advance in major cities, so if you see an opening, book it immediately rather than waiting. You can cancel and rebook later if your plans change, but waiting usually means a longer delay.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment at universalenroll.dhs.gov, the only official TSA PreCheck scheduling system.
• You will need a valid passport, driver's license, or state ID to complete your appointment, along with proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
• Appointments typically take 10 to 15 minutes, and you'll receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) immediately after if you're approved.
• The TSA PreCheck fee is $78 to $85 depending on your enrollment center, and you pay at the appointment itself.
• If no appointments are available in your area, check back weekly — cancellations happen regularly and new slots open up.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring one valid government-issued photo ID — a passport, driver's license, or state ID card. The ID must not be expired, though some centers will accept IDs that expired within the last year. Call your enrollment center directly if your ID is expired and you're unsure whether they'll accept it.

You also need proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. A U.S. passport counts as both ID and citizenship proof. If you're using a driver's license or state ID, bring one of these: an original birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, a green card, or a Certificate of Citizenship. Copies are not accepted — bring the original document.

If you've changed your name since your ID was issued, bring a document showing the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The TSA will compare your current legal name to what's on your ID and your citizenship document, and they must match.

The appointment itself: what happens and how long it takes

When you arrive, check in at the enrollment center desk. A TSA officer or contractor staff member will verify your documents, take your fingerprints digitally, and ask you questions from a standard form. The questions cover your criminal history, immigration status, and any security concerns. Be honest — the TSA runs a background check regardless of what you say, and lying on the form is a federal offense.

The whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes. You'll pay the fee at the end — $78 to $85 depending on your location and the type of enrollment center. Most centers accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash, but call ahead if you want to confirm payment methods.

If you're approved on the spot, you'll receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) before you leave. Write it down or take a photo of it. You'll use this number when you book flights to get TSA PreCheck screening at airport security. If the TSA needs more information, they'll contact you by mail or phone within a few weeks.

How to find an enrollment center near you

On the universalenroll.dhs.gov homepage, enter your state and city. The system will show you every enrollment center within a reasonable distance, along with their hours and the next available appointment dates. Some cities have multiple centers, so compare appointment availability across all of them before you book.

If you live in a rural area or a smaller city, the nearest center might be 30 to 60 miles away. Check the hours carefully — many enrollment centers are open only on weekdays during business hours, and some have limited weekend availability. If you can't get to a center in person, you cannot get TSA PreCheck; there is no remote or mail-in option.

A few airports also run enrollment centers, so if you travel frequently, check whether your home airport has one. Airport centers sometimes have different hours and may be less crowded than city-based locations.

What to do if no appointments are available

If the system shows no openings in your area, check back every few days. Cancellations happen regularly, especially at popular centers, and new slots open up as soon as someone cancels. Many people find an appointment within one to three weeks of checking regularly.

You can also expand your search to neighboring cities or counties. If you're willing to drive an extra 20 or 30 minutes, you may find an opening much sooner. Some people book an appointment far in the future at their preferred center, then keep checking for earlier slots at other centers and cancel the original booking once they find something closer.

If you need an appointment urgently — for example, you have a trip coming up in two weeks — call the enrollment center directly. Staff can sometimes fit in walk-ins or tell you about cancellations before they appear online. The phone number is listed on the universalenroll.dhs.gov site for each center.

Rescheduling or canceling your appointment

Log back into your account at universalenroll.dhs.gov using your email and password. Find your scheduled appointment and select the option to reschedule or cancel. You can change your appointment as many times as you need, and there's no penalty for canceling.

If you cancel, your appointment slot opens up for someone else to book. If you reschedule to a different center or time, the system will show you available slots at that location. You do not lose your fee if you reschedule — you'll still pay at your new appointment.

After your appointment: what happens next

If you were approved and received your KTN at the appointment, you can start using it immediately. Add it to your airline profile and enter it when you book flights. You'll see "TSA PreCheck" on your boarding pass, and you can use expedited security lanes at participating airports.

Your TSA PreCheck status is valid for five years from the date of your appointment. About 90 days before it expires, you'll receive a notification telling you to renew. You'll go through the same appointment process again, though the renewal fee may be lower than the initial fee.

If the TSA needs more information after your appointment, they'll send you a letter or call the phone number you provided. Respond to their request within the timeframe they give you, or your application may be denied. If you're denied, you have the right to request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?

You can bring a family member or friend to wait with you, but only you will go through the screening process. If you're bringing a child under 18, a parent or guardian must be present. The TSA officer will ask you questions privately, so your companion will wait in the lobby.

What if I'm running late to my appointment?

Call the enrollment center as soon as you know you'll be late. Many centers will still see you if you arrive within 15 to 30 minutes of your scheduled time, but it depends on their schedule that day. If you miss your appointment entirely, you'll need to reschedule through the website.

Do I need to renew my TSA PreCheck before my five years are up?

No. Your TSA PreCheck is valid for exactly five years from your appointment date. You can renew anytime in the 90 days before it expires, but you don't have to renew early. Once it expires, you'll need a new appointment to use TSA PreCheck again.

What happens if I'm denied TSA PreCheck?

The TSA will send you a letter explaining why you were denied. You have the right to request a hearing with a TSA official to challenge the decision. The letter will include instructions for how to request a hearing and the deadline for doing so.

Can I use my TSA PreCheck at international airports?

TSA PreCheck works at U.S. airports only. For expedited screening on international flights, you may be interested in Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck and covers more countries. Global Entry requires a separate application and fee.