Yes, children 17 and under are eligible for TSA PreCheck screening if they meet certain criteria. Anyone 18 and older must have their own Known Traveler Number and enter it when booking their airline reservation.
Children 12 and under:
- Can join you in TSA PreCheck lanes.
- The TSA PreCheck indicator does not have to be on the child’s boarding pass for them to accompany you in the TSA PreCheck lane.
Children 13-17:
- Can join you in the TSA PreCheck lane only when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child's boarding pass.
- To get the TSA PreCheck indicator on your child’s boarding pass make sure:
- the adult and the child are on the same airline reservation,
- the adult’s boarding pass has the TSA PreCheck indicator.
- If the child does not have their own KTN, you should not enter one for the child on the reservation, leave the KTN field blank.
- If the child is on a separate airline reservation, they will not be able to get TSA PreCheck unless they have their own KTN.
Children traveling alone:
- If your child is traveling alone routinely, they should enroll in TSA PreCheck or another DHS Trusted Traveler Program.
- If you are escorting your child with a gate pass, you will be directed to standard screening as TSA PreCheck benefits do not apply to gate passes regardless of membership status.
- Unaccompanied minors, without an adult escort, in the TSA PreCheck lanes, must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening. Contact the airline for questions regarding their specific ID requirements for travelers under 18.