At what age are children subject to standard TSA examinations?
For travelers 13 years and older, TSA's standard screening procedures apply.
People Also Ask
Do children need to apply for TSA PreCheck®? It depends on their age and whether they are traveling with a parent or guardian who has enrolled in TSA PreCheck: Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction.
Previously, if the whole family wanted to go through TSA PreCheck, those 13 years old and older needed to have their own membership. Thankfully, TSA PreCheck with teens has just gotten easier. As of May 2023, the TSA PreCheck age has increased to include children of all ages (up to 18 years).
Kids between 13 and 17 years old just need to be on the same reservation as the accompanying adult. For teens, just double-check to confirm that the TSA PreCheck indicator shows up on both your boarding pass and your teen's boarding pass.
Can you bring a guest through TSA PreCheck? Usually, no, but there are exceptions. These include allowances for the following types of guests who don't have their own TSA PreCheck membership: spouses, children, those with a disability, and active military personnel.
The best way to get TSA PreCheck for free is by carrying an eligible credit card. Dozens of credit cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee if you use that card to pay upfront. Here's a quick overview of some of these cards.
Children under 18 who a CLEAR member accompanies have access to the CLEAR lane free of charge, so you don't need to add them to your account. Kids this age don't need identification when traveling through the TSA checkpoint, which is why CLEAR allows them to proceed.
Parents/guardians should remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in their arms through the walk-through metal detector. Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier through the walk-through metal detector. Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.
We have modified screening procedures for children who are 12-years-old and younger.” Parents/guardians should remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in their arms through the walk-through metal detector. Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier through the walk-through metal detector.
Although children who have not reached their second birthday are permitted to travel as lap children, the FAA strongly discourages this practice and recommends that you secure your child in an approved CRS in their own seat for the entire flight.
The TSA PreCheck® Application Program is only open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. Applicants may be ineligible due to incomplete or false application information, certain violations of federal security regulations, or disqualifying criminal offenses and factors.
The application fee for TSA PreCheck® is $78 for 5 years. Before you apply, we recommend that you review the various DHS trusted traveler programs, such as the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and determine the best program for you.
If I am TSA PreCheck® eligible, am I guaranteed expedited screening? No, TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.
Minors under the age of 18 will not need ID to pass through security, they only need a boarding pass to board the plane if they are accompanied by an adult. Although it isn't required, it may feel weird traveling without some sort of ID for your kids.