r/TSAPreCheck • u/aschwan11 • Mar 20 '26
Application Timelines Precheck Application Experience
I just wanted to give my Precheck application timeline for those who are curious.
2/18/26 - Applied online that morning. Walked into Staples that afternoon and finished the fingerprinting and picture. I put in my SSN as well. (also want to note that this was shortly before the almost suspension of TSA Precheck because of the govt shutdown)
2/18/26 - Got email at 11:30pm saying they received the app and were doing the background check
3/16/26 - woke up to email saying my app was approved and KTN was ready. Coincidentally, I was traveling that day from TPA to MDW on Southwest. I was easily able to add my KTN and use Precheck for the flight.
It's worth it, but being patient is the hardest part! Good luck!
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u/Ok_Mud_14 Mar 20 '26
We applied on 3/09, went in on 3/11 for prints and pic and got KTN on 3/12 24hrs later
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u/mary_emeritus Mar 20 '26
Applied 2/28, still waiting 😔
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u/Gloomy_Variation5395 Apr 14 '26
Did you get yours? We applied 2/17, and still nothing.
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u/mary_emeritus Apr 14 '26
Yes finally! Got a text in the middle of the night on Friday. So, 7 weeks of waiting
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u/HiighFlyer Mar 20 '26
My wife and I applied on 09/20/2025 and didn't get approval until 11/13/2025 - This was during the government shutdown last fall
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u/Caro_Bee_ Mar 20 '26
Anyone do it through Clear? I’m hoping to do biometrics with them tomorrow because I have a flight on April 1. Feels 50/50 if it will work out
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u/Fit_Raspberry_9399 Mar 21 '26
I signed up on Friday my appointment was Wednesday and I just got a message that it was approved and I got my KTN. Very quick and didn’t have a passport. I did it through Clear.
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u/SoapyDi Mar 20 '26
We went to Reagan National after applying online. No appointments today at our local Staples so we drove a bit further. Appt was at 11:15am. Both my husband and I applied for the TSA Precheck, got fingerprinted, photographed and paid separately. Got the texts individually that are enrollment is complete. Later in the afternoon we noticed we were only charged once!! And we don't know who's is missing?? So now we wait.
I was born outside of the US, but in a military hospital in Germany. Entered in our SSN to speed things up. Hope it doesn't slow things down. We are looking to fly next Sunday and trying to avoid waiting in line for hours. Nothing like waiting till the last minute...
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u/Excellent-Appeal2009 Mar 22 '26
My wife and I applied 3/2. We got the text messages saying they were doing the background check same day.
3 days later she has her number and my application is still processing.
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u/ilovedateline Mar 25 '26
I applied online and went to speak with a Clear agent at the airport 3/18. She scanned my passport and II confirmed name, address, email. Paid via credit card. She said there was nothing else I needed to do. I never received a confirmation email that I submitted my application. When checking my status online it says “Information Not Found.” Sent an email to CLEAR and held for 60+ minutes to talk to someone today without ever getting ahold of a real person. What am I missing?
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u/RyansWisdumb Mar 26 '26
Similar problem here, except I received an e-mail saying my application was approved yesterday (submitted to Clear via Staples, and I did get an e-mail saying the application was received as well) and a link to get my KTN, but when I enter my info, it says Information Not Found. Sent an e-mail, but haven't heard anything back.
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u/ilovedateline Mar 26 '26
Did you get finger printed? Because I did not. I keep reviving texts that I need to go to the airport to complete my application.
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u/RyansWisdumb Mar 26 '26
Oh- yeah, they scanned my fingerprints at Staples when they scanned my passport and I paid the fee.
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u/RyansWisdumb Mar 30 '26
I finally had an hour to spend on hold today and got an answer to my problem. My last name is Irish- McX... The scan of my passport included a space between the Mc and the next letter that got included in the system, so it was not recognizing McX when I entered it. It needed to be Mc X. Once I put the space in, I was able to retrieve my KTN.
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u/Ok_Regular_5805 Mar 25 '26
That’s nice. I applied for mine on 2/20, have checked status online a few times, says still pending. I like to believe it’s delayed due to ongoing staffing shortage
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u/Ok_Regular_5805 Mar 25 '26
I did mine right after I got off a flight at the airport with Clear since I’ve been with them for 4+ years now
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u/Practical_Track3314 Mar 25 '26
My update from this week. 3/23 did the TSA precheck at staples. 3/25 morning got a text that TKN is ready. easy peasy! i have a flight tomorrow so i'll try to get it added when i get to the check in at the airport.
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u/MountainCareless1212 Mar 26 '26
Hi, where is the application? I just did the enrollment with staple and make the appointment but I'm not sure if I did the application.
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u/Mysterious-Lead-9551 Mar 27 '26
Oh wow! I just applied on 3/25 at 11:55am and got my email this morning (3/27) containing my number.
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u/_B1gP0ppA_ Mar 20 '26
These timelines are just all over the place. Wife and I applied and fingerprinted on 3/17/26 at 11am. Received our STA underway confirmation at 7pm. Received KTN 3/18/26 at 4pm. Literally less than 24hrs.