TSA PreCheck® for Kids: What You Need to Know
6 Min Read | Published: April 16, 2024
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
You may not need to pay for TSA PreCheck® for minors if they are accompanied by an enrolled parent or guardian and on the same reservation. Some restrictions apply.
At-A-Glance
- Children 12 and under can go with an enrolled parent or guardian in TSA PreCheck® lanes with no restriction.1
- Children 13-17 do not need their own TSA PreCheck when traveling on the same reservation as an enrolled adult and as long as the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass.2
- If you have children who travel alone frequently, you may want to consider enrolling them in the program.3
If you travel with kids, you know that airports can be stressful. That’s where the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck® comes in. It offers an expedited screening process and shorter lines than regular security lines. With TSA PreCheck, you can reduce some of the hassles of traveling and reach your gate faster. Here’s everything you need to know about TSA PreCheck for kids.
Do Kids Need to Enroll in TSA PreCheck?
Whether or not kids need to sign up for TSA PreCheck depends on their age and how they’re traveling. As of May 2023, children ages 17 and under are not required to have their own TSA PreCheck if they’re traveling with an enrolled adult, on the same reservation, and as long as the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass. Children 12 years old and younger, however, are able to accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction.4
Children who are 17 years old and under who are traveling alone or with an adult who is not enrolled in TSA PreCheck, will need to be enrolled in TSA PreCheck to be able to take advantage of expedited screening. In addition, anyone who is 18 years of age or over must have their own TSA PreCheck membership as well.
How Much Is TSA PreCheck for Kids?
Minors under 12 who are traveling with an enrolled parent or guardian will typically not need to pay for TSA PreCheck, and minors ages 13 to 18 may not need their own membership either, if they are traveling with an enrolled adult and the above conditions are met.
However, there may be some cases where it could make sense to enroll your child in TSA PreCheck. For example, if your child is traveling on their own or with a parent or guardian who is not enrolled, then you may want to consider enrolling them if you’d like them to be eligible for expedited screening. Note that you may need to enroll on their behalf if the child is under 13.
If you’re a parent or guardian interested in TSA PreCheck, it will cost you a nonrefundable $78 application and will be good for 5 years. Once the 5 years are up, you can renew your membership online or in person. The cost of enrollment varies, depending on which enrollment provider you choose. Currently, there are two options listed on the TSA’s website, IDEMIA and Telos, with the following rates:
- IDEMIA: $78
- Telos: $85
Please visit the TSA PreCheck’s website for the most up-to-date information on pricing.
Did you know?
Some credit cards offer reimbursement (usually in the form of a statement credit) for enrollment in TSA PreCheck®. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a statement credit every 4.5 years after Card Members apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay for the application fee with their Card. For full terms and conditions, visit www.americanexpress.com/expeditedtravel.5
What Paperwork Does a Child Need for TSA PreCheck?
When you apply for TSA PreCheck, note that the TSA does not accept online applications from anyone under the age of 13. For children who are age 12 or younger, a parent or guardian must complete the online form. Please visit the Apply for TSA PreCheck page on the TSA website to learn more.6
After you enroll in TSA PreCheck, you will be assigned a Known Traveler Number (KTN). You will need to include this number in the KTN field of each reservation you make with participating airlines, so it appears on your boarding pass. Note that in order for your 13 to 17-year-old child to accompany you in the TSA line instead of the traditional security line, the TSA PreCheck indicator must also appear on their boarding pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is issued to all adults and children who are approved to go through TSA PreCheck expedited screening. It must be added when booking airfare and will appear on each individual’s boarding pass.
An infant does not need their own TSA PreCheck. They’ll be able to go through the expedited screening line, as long as they’re with a parent or guardian who already has a TSA Membership.
Military Members and Department of Defence (DoD) Civilians receive TSA PreCheck as a benefit of their employment and service. Children 12 and under may accompany a parent or guardian when traveling with TSA PreCheck without restriction, while children 13-17 may accompany a parent or guardian with TSA PreCheck if they are traveling on the same reservation and if the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass. Note that travel companions 18 and over (including spouses) will need to enroll in TSA PreCheck on their own.7
The Takeaway
Your child’s age and travel situation will determine whether they must enroll in their own TSA PreCheck. If they’re 13 to 17 and under and accompanying a parent or guardian who is enrolled on a trip, they won’t need to, if certain conditions are met. If they are 12 or younger, they can accompany an enrolled parent or guardian without restriction. However, if you have children who travel alone frequently, you may want to consider enrolling them in the program.
1,2,3 “Do children need to apply for TSA PreCheck®?,” TSA.gov
4 “I am traveling with my family; can they also use the TSA PreCheck® lane?,” TSA.gov
5 For more information on The Platinum Card, click here.
6 “TSA PreCheck® application - required identification documentation,” TSA.gov
7 “Military and Uniformed Service Members,” TSA.gov
Anna Baluch is a personal finance writer from Cleveland, OH. She enjoys helping people from all walks of life make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen on Credit Karma, Forbes, LendingTree, Insurify, and many other publications. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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