TSA PreCheck Photo Requirements
TSA PreCheck does not require you to submit a photo.
Your photo is taken at the enrollment appointment by the provider. You do not need to upload, print, or bring any photo to apply.
TSA PreCheck
Global Entry
Includes PreCheckWhat Happens at TSA PreCheck Enrollment
The photo is one small part of a 10-minute in-person appointment. Here's the full process.
Go to the TSA PreCheck website and apply online. You'll enter your personal info, travel history, and pay the $78 fee. At the end, you schedule an in-person enrollment appointment at a nearby provider location.
Bring a valid unexpired US passport or government-issued photo ID, plus your Social Security Number. If you applied online, bring your confirmation number. Most appointments are 10 minutes.
The enrollment provider scans all 10 fingerprints digitally. This takes about 2 minutes. The fingerprints are checked against law enforcement databases as part of the background screening.
The provider takes a digital photo of you. This is the only photo involved in TSA PreCheck. There's no specific dress code — wear what you'd normally travel in. Glasses are permitted. You cannot request a retake after the appointment.
TSA approves most applicants within 3–5 days. You'll receive a Known Traveler Number by email. Add it to your airline reservations to activate PreCheck automatically on your boarding pass.
What to Wear for Your TSA PreCheck Photo
There's no official dress code — but a few practical tips help you look your best in the record.
Fine to wear
Practical tips
Note
Where to Enroll for TSA PreCheck
TSA uses multiple approved enrollment providers. All charge the same $78 fee and offer the same service.
| Provider | Cost |
|---|---|
| IDEMIA | $78 |
| Telos | $78 |
| Alclear (CLEAR) | $78 |
| Eno | $78 |
Find your nearest location at tsa.gov/precheck/enrollment-provider-locations
When You DO Need a Passport-Style Photo
TSA PreCheck itself doesn't need one — but several related programs do.
Requires a 2×2 inch white-background photo uploaded to ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. Same specs as a US passport photo.
Requires a 2×2 inch photo upload to the TTP portal. Covers US-Canada border crossings.
Requires a 2×2 inch photo upload. Covers US-Mexico border crossings plus TSA PreCheck.
Requires a 2×2 inch printed photo submitted with your DS-11 or DS-82 application form.
USCIS requires 2 passport-style photos, taken within 30 days of filing.
Tip
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does TSA PreCheck require a photo?
No — you do not need to submit or upload a photo when applying for TSA PreCheck. Unlike Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, TSA PreCheck enrollment providers (IDEMIA, Telos, Alclear/CLEAR, and others) take your photo in person at the enrollment appointment. You just show up — no photo needed beforehand.
What happens to your photo at TSA PreCheck enrollment?
At your enrollment appointment, the provider uses a digital camera to take your photo on-site. The photo is captured as part of your biometric enrollment, alongside your fingerprints. The whole appointment takes about 10 minutes. You do not need to prepare, print, or bring any photo — they handle it entirely.
What should I wear for my TSA PreCheck enrollment photo?
Wear what you'd normally travel in — there's no strict dress code, but a few common-sense rules apply: avoid white or very light tops (they can wash out against the white backdrop), avoid busy patterns, and remove hats or non-religious head coverings before the photo. Glasses are fine to wear — TSA PreCheck photos do not follow the same 'no glasses' rule as passport photos.
Can I wear glasses in my TSA PreCheck photo?
Yes. TSA PreCheck enrollment photos do not prohibit glasses. Unlike US passport photos — which have banned glasses since 2016 — the TSA PreCheck photo taken at enrollment has no restriction on glasses. Wear what you normally wear when travelling.
What ID do I need to bring to TSA PreCheck enrollment?
You must bring a valid, unexpired US passport or government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID). Your passport is the easiest option. You also need your Social Security Number (you don't need to bring the card — you enter it during the application). If you've already applied online, bring the confirmation number from your application.
What is the difference between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry photos?
The key difference: TSA PreCheck takes your photo at enrollment — you don't submit one. Global Entry requires you to upload a 2×2 inch passport-style photo to the TTP portal (ttp.cbp.dhs.gov) as part of the online application before your interview. Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck automatically, so if you need both, apply for Global Entry and you get PreCheck included.
How long is the TSA PreCheck enrollment photo valid?
TSA PreCheck membership lasts 5 years. When you renew after 5 years, a new photo is taken at your renewal appointment. There is no requirement to update your photo between renewals even if your appearance changes significantly.
Can I get TSA PreCheck and Global Entry at the same time?
You don't need both separately — Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck. If you travel internationally at least occasionally, apply for Global Entry ($120 for 5 years) instead of PreCheck alone ($78). You get expedited customs re-entry from international flights plus PreCheck security lanes. If you only travel domestically, PreCheck alone is the more affordable choice.
What if I'm unhappy with my TSA PreCheck enrollment photo?
You cannot request a retake or replace your enrollment photo after the appointment. The photo is stored as a biometric record and used for identity verification at security checkpoints. If you're concerned about how you'll look, dress neatly and the photo will be fine — it's a functional ID record, not a passport photo, and no one sees it except TSA officers matching it to your face at the checkpoint.
Do children need a TSA PreCheck photo?
Children under 12 do not need to enroll in TSA PreCheck — they can use PreCheck lanes for free when traveling with an enrolled parent or guardian on the same reservation. Children 13 and older need their own enrollment if they want to use PreCheck lanes independently. The enrollment process for teens is the same as for adults — photo taken at the appointment.
Warning
Information sourced from tsa.gov/precheck · Last verified June 2026