How to Do TSA PreCheck: Your Guide to Required Documents

Enrolling in TSA PreCheck can significantly expedite your airport security experience, allowing you to navigate checkpoints with greater ease and speed. A crucial step in the application process is providing the correct documentation to verify your identity and citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. Understanding what documents are acceptable is key to a smooth enrollment. This guide will walk you through the necessary documentation, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your TSA PreCheck application.

Understanding TSA PreCheck Document Requirements

To successfully enroll in TSA PreCheck, you will need to present specific documents during your in-person appointment. These documents are categorized into two lists by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): List A and List B. The list you use depends on the type of documents you have readily available. The primary goal of these documents is to confirm two essential things: who you are (identity) and your U.S. citizenship status or lawful permanent residency.

List A Documents: One Document is Sufficient

If you possess a document from List A, you only need to present one of these to meet both identity and citizenship requirements. These documents are considered strong evidence of both.

Here are the documents that qualify for List A:

• Unexpired U.S. Passport (book or card): A valid U.S. passport, whether in book or card format, is a definitive proof of U.S. citizenship.

• Unexpired Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC): These cards, issued by federally recognized tribes, also serve as proof of U.S. citizenship.

• Unexpired Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Card: If your FAST card explicitly indicates U.S. citizenship, it can be used as a List A document.

• Unexpired U.S. Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID): EDLs and EIDs, issued by certain states, will specify if they denote U.S. citizenship and can be used if they do.

• Permanent Resident Card (I-551) (Green Card): Often referred to as a “Green Card,” this document proves your lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in the United States.

• Unexpired Foreign Passport AND Immigrant Visa with I-551 Annotation: This combination is for new lawful permanent residents. The annotation “Upon Endorsement Serves as Temporary I-551 Evidencing Permanent Residence of 1 Year” on your immigrant visa in your unexpired foreign passport demonstrates your LPR status temporarily.

• Unexpired Re-entry Permit (I-327): This permit is also evidence of your lawful permanent resident status.

It’s important to note that while an unexpired U.S. passport is on List A, an expired passport generally is not. However, a U.S. passport expired within the last 12 months can be used, but only as proof of citizenship under List B, not as a List A document.

List B Documents: Two Documents Are Required

If you do not have a document from List A, you will need to present two documents from List B. List B is divided into two categories: one for Valid Photo IDs and one for Valid Proof of Citizenship. To meet the requirements using List B, you must provide one document from each category, and ensure the names on both documents match.

Valid Photo ID Options (List B – Part 1)

These documents serve to verify your identity with a photograph.

• Unexpired driver’s license issued by a U.S. state or outlying possession.
• Unexpired temporary driver’s license plus expired driver’s license: These together count as one document.
• Unexpired photo ID card issued by the Federal government or by a U.S. state or outlying possession. This must include an official seal or logo from a federal or state agency (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 Documents (List B – Part 2)

These documents establish your U.S. citizenship.

• U.S. Birth Certificate: This must be an original or certified copy. Specific types are acceptable, 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, an expired passport (within a year of expiration) can be used as proof of citizenship under List B, but not alone; it must be paired with a valid photo ID from List B.

Important Details Regarding Birth Certificates

Birth certificates are a common document used for TSA PreCheck applications, so it’s critical to understand the specific requirements. TSA accepts only certain types of birth records:

• 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. Note that Birth Registration/Certificate of Birth Registration records are not acceptable.
• Birth certification card that meets birth certificate or abstract requirements. Birth Registration or Notification cards are not acceptable.

For a birth certificate, birth certification card, or certified abstract of birth to be acceptable, it must meet the following criteria:

• Issued by the city, county, or state of birth.
• List your full name, date of birth, and place of birth.
• List parent(s) full names (first and last name required; middle name not required. “Unknown” entries or blank spaces/asterisks for parent names are acceptable).
• Have the signature of the city, county, or state official or registrar.
• Have the date filed with the registrar’s office.
• Bear the seal of the issuing authority (seal may be printed, embossed, or raised).

Unacceptable U.S. Birth Documents include:

• Illegible or damaged documents.
• Hospital-issued birth documents.
• Any document titled “Registration” or “Notification”.
• Foreign birth documents (unless it’s a State Department record of birth abroad).
• State-issued documents indicating foreign birth.
• Puerto Rican Birth Certificates issued before July 1, 2010.
• “No Record Certification of Birth” documents.
• Notarized copies and digital identity documents.

Tips for Gathering Your TSA PreCheck Documents

• Originals or Certified Copies: Ensure you bring original documents or certified copies issued by the official authority. Photocopies or notarized copies are not accepted.
• Check Expiration Dates: Verify that your documents are unexpired unless specifically allowed (like a passport expired within 12 months used as proof of citizenship).
• Name Consistency: Make sure the name on both of your List B documents (if applicable) are exactly the same. Any discrepancies could cause issues with your application.
• Review Carefully: Before your appointment, double-check that your documents meet all the TSA requirements listed here.

Being well-prepared with the correct documents will make your TSA PreCheck enrollment process much smoother. By understanding these guidelines, you can confidently gather your necessary paperwork and take the next step towards faster, more efficient airport security screening.