You'll need to be 18 years or older to apply for Clear and must have one of the following forms of valid and unamended photo identification: A U.S. driver's license, a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a U.S.-issued permanent resident card, a state issued ID, a U.S. military ID, or a Global Entry card.

To get approved for CLEAR, you must complete a two-step process: an online application followed by an in-person biometrics enrollment at an airport. First, you sign up on the CLEAR website or mobile app and pay the annual membership fee (which is around $199, though many premium credit cards or airline status levels offer discounts). Once your account is created, you do not need an appointment; you simply head to a CLEAR pod at any participating airport. There, a CLEAR Ambassador will scan your valid government-issued photo ID (such as a U.S. driver's license or passport) and take your biometric data, which includes high-resolution scans of your irises and fingerprints. To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident at least 18 years old. Once your biometrics are linked to your identity, the "approval" is instant, and you can begin using the CLEAR lane immediately. Unlike TSA PreCheck, there is no background check or "waiting period" for a KTN; CLEAR is a private identity platform that replaces the manual ID check by a TSA officer with a quick biometric scan, moving you directly to the physical baggage screening area.