Free Guide to Getting Your Known Traveler Number

What Is a Known Traveler Number and Why It Matters

A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is an identification code that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses to recognize you at airport security checkpoints. When you provide your KTN at check-in, it gets linked to your airline reservation. This connection tells TSA officers that you've been pre-screened before arriving at security.

The KTN system grew from several TSA programs created to speed up airport security for travelers who submit background information in advance. Instead of treating every passenger the same way, TSA uses different screening levels based on what it knows about each person. A KTN represents that you've gone through a vetting process and TSA has recorded information about you in their system.

Multiple TSA programs issue KTNs, including TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI. Each program has its own background review process and rules. Some programs focus on U.S. citizens traveling domestically, while others cover international travel or specific border crossings. The key point is that all of them result in a number you can use at U.S. airports.

The practical benefit of having a KTN relates to the security screening process itself. Travelers with a KTN typically move through a separate security lane. In that lane, you may keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. You can leave liquids and laptops in your carry-on bag. These small differences add up, especially at busy airports during peak travel times.

Takeaway: Understanding what a KTN represents—pre-screening by TSA—helps you understand why having one changes your airport experience. It's not a pass that skips security entirely, but rather a designation that you've already provided background information to TSA.

TSA PreCheck: The Primary Known Traveler Number Program

TSA PreCheck is the most common way to obtain a KTN for domestic air travel within the United States. The program began in 2011 and has grown to include millions of active members. TSA PreCheck allows you to use expedited security screening at more than 200 U.S. airports and on over 80 airlines.

The TSA PreCheck process involves an in-person appointment at a designated enrollment center. During this appointment, you provide documents like your passport or driver's license, undergo a background check, and have your fingerprints taken. The background check examines criminal history, immigration status, and other security-related factors. The entire appointment typically takes 15 to 20 minutes.

TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 depending on the enrollment provider, and the membership lasts five years. This breaks down to roughly $15 to $17 per year. Some credit card companies offer to reimburse TSA PreCheck fees as a cardholder benefit, which effectively reduces the cost to zero for those cardholders. During the five-year period, you can renew your membership, and renewal sometimes costs less than the initial enrollment.

When you enroll in TSA PreCheck, you receive a KTN to use immediately. You can start using this number on new flight reservations right away. You add the number to your airline profile or enter it when booking tickets. The airline then connects this number to your reservation before your flight.

TSA PreCheck provides the most straightforward path to a KTN for people who fly domestically in the United States. The screening process, while requiring an in-person visit, is designed to be quick and available at hundreds of locations nationwide. Takeaway: If you fly within the U.S. multiple times per year, calculating the annual cost of TSA PreCheck membership against the time saved at security can help you decide whether enrollment makes sense for your travel habits.

Global Entry and Other Programs That Include KTNs

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that issues a KTN but serves a different travel need than TSA PreCheck. Global Entry focuses on international travel. When you return to the United States from abroad, Global Entry lets you use automated kiosks at customs instead of waiting in line with other returning travelers. The program costs $100 for five years and includes a KTN that you can use for domestic flights as well.

Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits automatically, meaning you get expedited domestic security screening plus faster customs processing when returning from international trips. For frequent international travelers, this combination of benefits often justifies the enrollment cost. The enrollment process is similar to TSA PreCheck—you complete an application online, attend an in-person appointment for fingerprinting and verification, and receive your KTN once approved.

NEXUS is a joint program between the U.S. and Canada that provides expedited processing at the Canadian border. NEXUS membership costs $120 for five years and includes a KTN for U.S. domestic flights. The program is useful primarily for people who cross between the U.S. and Canada frequently by land or air. Like Global Entry, NEXUS requires an in-person interview at a designated enrollment center.

SENTRI is specifically for land border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico. It costs $122.50 for four years and is designed for frequent travelers crossing at southwestern border ports. SENTRI does not automatically include TSA PreCheck, but you can enroll in both programs if you need both benefits.

Other programs that provide KTNs include the Department of Defense's Real ID credential for military members and certain federal employees. Some airline loyalty programs also offer KTN benefits as part of elite membership status, though these often require significant annual spending or frequent flying.

Takeaway: If you travel internationally or cross land borders regularly, investigating programs beyond TSA PreCheck may reveal options that address your specific travel patterns while also providing a KTN for domestic U.S. flights.

How to Find Enrollment Centers and Schedule Your Appointment

Finding where to enroll in a TSA PreCheck or similar program is straightforward thanks to online tools provided by TSA and Customs and Border Protection. The official TSA PreCheck website includes an enrollment center locator where you enter your ZIP code and see all approved locations near you. These locations include passport acceptance agencies, some state Department of Motor Vehicle offices, and private enrollment companies like IdentoGO.

Enrollment centers are located in all 50 states and many U.S. territories. In urban areas, you typically have multiple choices within a few miles. Rural areas may have fewer options, sometimes requiring travel to a nearby city. The TSA website shows hours of operation for each center, and many locations accept walk-ins during certain hours, though you can also schedule an appointment in advance online.

When you schedule an appointment, you'll be asked to select which program you want to enroll in—TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. The appointment confirmation includes a list of documents you need to bring. For most programs, you'll need a valid government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or state ID) and a document proving your address (utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement).

The enrollment appointment itself is brief. A TSA officer or third-party representative will verify your documents, ask basic background questions, take your fingerprints digitally, and take a photo. The entire process usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. You'll pay the program fee at this time, either by credit card, check, or money order depending on the enrollment center's accepted payment methods.

After your in-person appointment, TSA processes your background investigation, which typically takes three to five business days. Once approved, you receive a notification email with your KTN. You can then add this number to airline reservations immediately. Some people receive approval and can use their KTN at security the very next day.

Takeaway: Using the official TSA PreCheck website to locate nearby enrollment centers and understanding what documents to bring makes scheduling your appointment a straightforward administrative task that you can complete in minutes online.

Adding Your KTN to Airline Reservations and Airline Profiles

Once you have your KTN, the next step is connecting it to your airline reservations so that TSA sees it when you arrive at security. There are two main ways to do this: add the number to individual flight reservations, or store it in your airline profiles so it automatically appears on all future bookings.

Most airlines allow you to enter your KTN when you book a flight online. During the