If you’ve ever stared at a boarding pass and wondered where exactly your Known Traveler Number went, you’re not alone. That nine-digit PASSID is the key to zipping through airport security with TSA PreCheck, but plenty of travelers lose track of it after enrollment. The good news: you don’t have to dig through old emails or paperwork to find it. Official government tools let you look it up in minutes, whether you enrolled through IDEMIA or Telos, and the process works for Global Entry members too.
Official TSA Lookup Sites: 3 primary (.gov) · Known Traveler Programs: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry · KTN Format: 9-digit PASSID · Lookup Requirement: Name, DOB, address
Quick snapshot
- Online KTN lookup is free via official .gov sites (TSA/IDEMIA, TSA/CLEAR)
- TSA PreCheck membership costs $76.75 for 5 years via IDEMIA (TSA Enrollment by IDEMIA)
- Telos issues KTNs within 3–5 business days at 500+ locations (Telos)
- Free TSA PreCheck eligibility details vary by employment category
- Exact location counts for IDEMIA enrollment centers not publicly listed
- Log into your enrollment provider portal to verify active status and expiry date
- Enter your KTN in every airline booking to generate the TSA PreCheck indicator
The table below consolidates the essential links and reference points for KTN retrieval across both enrollment providers.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary Lookup URL | tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/ktn-lookup |
| Alternative Lookup | tsaprecheckbyclear.tsa.dhs.gov/ktn-lookup |
| TSA FAQ Source | www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions |
| Card Location | Back of Trusted Traveler card |
I forgot my Known Traveler Number (KTN). How do I find it?
The fastest path to a lost KTN starts at the official government portals that handle enrollment. TSA contracts two providers—IDEMIA and Telos—and each runs its own login portal where current members can retrieve their number. The TSA website itself directs members to these lookup tools, so there’s no need to contact TSA directly or submit a formal records request.
TSA PreCheck lookup tool
IDEMIA runs the primary lookup at tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/ktn-lookup. You’ll enter your legal name, date of birth, and country of birth—the same details you used during enrollment. The tool is designed for active TSA PreCheck members only; if you enrolled through a different provider, this tool won’t find your record.
Trusted Traveler portal login
Telos operates a separate lookup for its enrollees at tsaprecheckbyclear.tsa.dhs.gov/ktn-lookup. Log in with the email and password you set during enrollment, and your KTN appears on the dashboard immediately. Telos notes that membership details—including expiration date—are visible in your account at any time.
Contact enrollment provider
If neither online tool returns your record, call the provider directly. Telos customer service is available weekdays from 8 AM to 10 PM ET at 833-777-1811. IDEMIA manages its own appointment scheduling system, but the lookup tool is the first stop before escalating.
Can I look up my known traveler number?
Yes, and you have options beyond a single government site. TSA runs three primary .gov lookup tools: the main IDEMIA portal, the Telos portal, and a third option for CLEAR users. Each returns your KTN if you’re an active member, and none charge a fee for the lookup itself.
Online lookup availability
Both TSA/IDEMIA and TSA/CLEAR maintain live lookup pages. There’s no account creation required for the IDEMIA tool—you input identifying details and it returns your number. The Telos portal requires login credentials but provides a fuller dashboard view.
Required personal info
The IDEMIA lookup asks for your legal name, date of birth, and country of birth. TSA/IDEMIA confirms that letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes are all allowed in the name fields, so formatting shouldn’t trip you up. Enter exactly what you submitted during enrollment to avoid mismatches.
Idemia enrollment lookup
One important caveat: the IDEMIA lookup tool only works for TSA PreCheck members. TSA/IDEMIA clarifies that Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI members must retrieve their number through the Trusted Traveler Program system instead, using a different portal.
The IDEMIA and Telos tools are separate systems—one for each enrollment provider. If you enrolled through IDEMIA but try the Telos portal, you won’t find a record. Match the tool to your provider.
What is the difference between a known traveler number and a TSA PreCheck number?
These terms overlap more than most travelers realize, but they’re not interchangeable in every context. TSA PreCheck uses a KTN, but so do other Trusted Traveler programs—and the retrieval paths differ depending on which program you’re enrolled in.
KTN definition
A Known Traveler Number is a nine-character PASSID that identifies you as an approved expedited-screening participant. TSA/IDEMIA describes the KTN as the identifier required in airline booking fields to generate the TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass.
TSA PreCheck relation
TSA PreCheck members always have a KTN, and it’s the number you enter when booking flights. Telos explains that this same number unlocks the expedited lane at security—if it shows on your boarding pass, you’re cleared for the PreCheck queue.
Usage in booking
When booking online, look for a field labeled “Known Traveler Number,” “TSA PreCheck Number,” or “Redress Number.” Enter your KTN there to ensure the airline includes the PreCheck indicator. TSA/IDEMIA’s lookup documentation confirms that entering the number correctly is all it takes—there’s no separate activation step.
How do I check the status of my TSA PreCheck?
Keeping track of your membership status matters more than most travelers realize—expired memberships don’t always generate a warning until you’re at the airport. Both enrollment providers give you a dashboard view of your current status, expiration date, and renewal eligibility.
Expiration check methods
Log into your enrollment provider portal and look for the enrollment status section. Telos states that your dashboard shows your active or expired status at a glance, along with the exact expiration date of your current term.
Membership renewal lookup
Renewal eligibility appears in the same dashboard. Telos notes that members can renew up to 6 months before their current expiration date—early renewal locks in your continued status without a gap between memberships.
Telos enrollment status
The Telos portal at tsaprecheckbyclear.tsa.dhs.gov/ktn-lookup gives a full status overview after login. Telos adds that you can opt for status updates by email or text, so you’re never caught off guard by an approaching expiration.
TSA PreCheck memberships last 5 years, but many travelers don’t track when they enrolled. A quick dashboard check now saves the stress of discovering an expired membership at the airport check-in counter.
Where can I find my Trusted Traveler membership number?
Whether you carry a physical card or rely on digital records, your membership number is accessible through multiple channels. Global Entry members have their own retrieval pathway that differs from TSA PreCheck, so it helps to know which program you’re in.
Back of Trusted Traveler card
If you have a physical card for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, your membership number appears on the back. CBP Help confirms that the PASSID is printed directly on the card for Global Entry members.
Online account login
Log into the Trusted Traveler Program system at CBP’s help portal to access your membership dashboard. CBP notes that the “Save & Print” function in your TTP account lets you generate a summary document with your PASSID anytime.
Program-specific portals
Global Entry applications live in the TTP system, separate from the TSA PreCheck portals. CBP’s guidance explains that once approved, your Global Entry PASSID serves as your KTN for airline bookings—but you retrieve it through CBP’s system, not TSA’s.
Telos (Enrollment Provider)Typically, you will receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) within 3 – 5 business days; however, some may take up to 60 days.
TSA Enrollment by IDEMIA (Official Provider)You do not need to get TSA PreCheck® if you already have Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or hold an active TWIC® or Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with an HME.
For anyone who’s enrolled in a Trusted Traveler program, the KTN lookup is deliberately straightforward—TSA wants members using the expedited lanes, and that only happens when the number appears on the boarding pass. Whether you go through IDEMIA, Telos, or the TTP system, the tools are free, official, and designed to return your number within seconds. The real action item is checking your dashboard before your next booking: confirm your membership is active, note the expiration date, and enter that KTN when you reserve your ticket. If you’re a Global Entry member who never signed up for TSA PreCheck separately, you’re already covered—your PASSID does the same work.
Related reading: Do Not Travel warnings · Hurricane travel impacts
Travelers rushing to the airport can quickly recover a forgotten Known Traveler Number through the comprehensive KTN lookup guide that outlines official DHS portals and simple steps.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my TSA PreCheck is still good?
Log into your enrollment provider portal—IDEMIA or Telos—and check the enrollment status section. Your current status (active or expired) and expiration date appear on the dashboard. Telos adds that you can set up email or text alerts so you’re notified before your membership lapses.
How will I know when my TSA PreCheck membership expires?
Your expiration date is visible in your enrollment portal dashboard at any time. Telos notes that renewal opens 6 months before expiration, so you can extend your membership before it actually lapses. If you prefer not to manage it online, TSA sends renewal reminders via the contact method on file.
Who gets TSA PreCheck for free?
TSA PreCheck is generally a paid membership, but specific employment categories may qualify for fee coverage or separate enrollment pathways. TSA/IDEMIA notes that DoD employees, TWIC® holders, and CDL holders with an HME have distinct enrollment processes. Check with your employer or program administrator to confirm eligibility.
How to find a traveler number?
Use the official lookup tool matching your enrollment provider—TSA/IDEMIA for IDEMIA enrollees or TSA/CLEAR for Telos members. Log in or enter your name and date of birth, and your KTN appears instantly. Global Entry members retrieve their PASSID through the Trusted Traveler Program website instead.
How can I find my KTN number?
Start at tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/ktn-lookup if you enrolled through IDEMIA, or tsaprecheckbyclear.tsa.dhs.gov/ktn-lookup if you used Telos. Enter the name, date of birth, and country of birth you used during enrollment. The tool returns your KTN immediately for active members.
Can I look up my TSA PreCheck number online?
Yes. Both IDEMIA and Telos run official lookup tools on .gov domains. No account creation is needed for the IDEMIA tool—just input your identifying details. The Telos portal requires login but shows your full membership dashboard. Both are free to use.
