Clear Travel: Understanding Your TSA PreCheck Document Requirements

Navigating airport security can often be a source of stress for travelers. TSA PreCheck offers a solution for smoother and faster airport security screening, but understanding the necessary documentation for enrollment is key to a Clear Travel experience. This guide will clarify the documents you need to provide to ensure a hassle-free TSA PreCheck application process.

Navigating TSA PreCheck Enrollment: Your Essential Document Checklist

To successfully enroll in TSA PreCheck, you must present specific, valid documents that verify your identity and, if applicable, U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has categorized these acceptable documents into two lists: List A and List B. Understanding these lists will streamline your application and contribute to a smoother travel journey.

List A Documents: Single Document Verification

List A provides a straightforward option for enrollment – presenting just one document from this list satisfies both identity and citizenship/residency requirements. These documents are considered highly secure and reliable forms of identification.

Unexpired U.S. Passport (book or card): A valid U.S. passport, whether in book or card format, is a primary document demonstrating both identity and U.S. citizenship.
Unexpired Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC): This card serves as proof of both identity and U.S. citizenship for members of participating tribes.
Unexpired Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Card: If your FAST card indicates U.S. citizenship, it is acceptable as a List A document.
Unexpired U.S. Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID): Similar to the FAST card, if your EDL or EID explicitly denotes U.S. citizenship, it meets List A requirements.
Permanent Resident Card (I-551) (“Green Card”): For lawful permanent residents of the U.S., a Green Card is a valid List A document, verifying both identity and residency status.
Unexpired Foreign Passport AND Immigrant Visa with I-551 Annotation: This combination is for new permanent residents. The visa annotation confirms temporary permanent resident status for one year upon endorsement.
Unexpired Re-entry Permit (I-327): This permit is another document accepted for lawful permanent residents.

It’s crucial to note that an expired U.S. passport cannot be used as a List A document. However, if your U.S. passport has expired within the last 12 months, it can still serve as proof of citizenship, but it then falls under List B requirements.

List B Documents: Two-Document Verification

If you do not possess a document from List A, you can still enroll in TSA PreCheck by presenting two documents from List B. This option requires one valid photo ID and one document proving U.S. citizenship. It is essential that the name on both documents matches.

Valid Photo ID Options:

Unexpired driver’s license: Issued by a U.S. state or outlying possession.
Unexpired temporary driver’s license plus expired driver’s license: Together, these constitute one valid document.
Unexpired photo ID card: Issued by the Federal government, a U.S. state, or outlying possession, including those with a federal or state agency seal or logo (like a state university ID). Note that permits, such as gun permits, are not valid.
Unexpired U.S. military ID card.
Unexpired U.S. retired military ID card.
Unexpired U.S. military dependent’s card.
Native American tribal document with photo.
Unexpired Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/ Transportation Security Administration (TSA)- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
Unexpired Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

Valid Proof of Citizenship Options:

U.S. Birth Certificate: Specific requirements apply to birth certificates, detailed further below.
U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561).
U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570).
U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197).
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240).
Certification of Report of Birth Abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545).
Expired U.S. passport within 12 months of expiration: As mentioned earlier, an expired passport (within the last year) can be used as proof of citizenship in List B, but not as a standalone List A document. It must be presented with another List B document if used this way.

Important Clarifications Regarding Birth Certificates and Document Copies

When using a birth certificate as proof of citizenship, it’s vital to understand TSA’s specific requirements. Only original or certified copies of documents are acceptable. These must be issued by a government authority (Federal, State, Tribal, county, municipal, or outlying possession) and bear an official seal. Short-form or abstract birth certificates and notarized copies are not accepted.

For birth certificates specifically, TSA will only accept:

Long-form U.S. state/territory-issued certified/sealed Birth Certificate.
U.S. state/territory-issued certified/sealed Birth Abstract that meets birth certificate requirements. (Birth Registration/Certificate of Birth Registration records are not acceptable).
Birth certification card meeting birth certificate or abstract requirements. (Birth Registration or Notification cards are not acceptable).

To be acceptable, birth certificates, birth certification cards, and certified abstracts of birth must meet the following criteria:

Issued by the city, county, or state of birth.
Include the applicant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth.
List parent(s) full names (first and last name required; middle name optional. “Unknown” parent names are acceptable if the fields are present. Blank spaces or asterisks in parent name fields are also acceptable).
Bear the signature of the city, county, or state official or registrar.
Include the date filed with the registrar’s office.
Have the seal of the issuing authority (seals may be printed, embossed, or raised).

Unacceptable U.S. Birth Documents include:

Illegible or damaged documents.
Private hospital-issued documents.
Any birth document titled “Registration” or “Notification.”
Foreign birth documents not recognized by the State Department as a record of birth abroad.
State-issued documents indicating birth in a foreign country.
Puerto Rican Birth Certificates issued before July 1, 2010.
“No Record Certification of Birth” documents.
Notarized copies and digital identity documents.

Prepare for Clearer Travel

Ensuring you have the correct documentation ready is a crucial step towards a smoother TSA PreCheck enrollment and, ultimately, a more streamlined and clear travel experience. By understanding these requirements and preparing your documents in advance, you can confidently navigate the enrollment process and enjoy the benefits of expedited airport security.