I love having TSA Precheck benefits and have written about how to apply for TSA Precheck and Global Entry (Global Entry includes TSA Precheck). A few readers have asked a question in the comments that I think many families would find useful: Does TSA PreCheck extend to children traveling with you?
Does TSA PreCheck extend to children traveling with you
The answer is yes for children 12 years old or younger. If you have TSA Precheck benefits, you can bring your kids age 12 or under with you through the TSA Precheck lane. According to the TSA website:
“Children ages 12 and younger may use the TSA PreCheck® lane when traveling with a parent or guardian who has the indicator on their boarding pass. Travelers 13 and older who do not have a TSA PreCheck® boarding pass must go through standard security lanes or apply.”
However, if your child is traveling with a parent or guardian that does not have TSA Precheck, they would not have your TSA Precheck benefits.
Note: Although TSA Precheck extends to your children age 12 or under, Global Entry does not extend to children.
Can Minors Apply For TSA Precheck?
Yes. There is no age restriction to apply for TSA Precheck. For most kids age 12 or younger, there is no need to apply for TSA Precheck since they are included under their parents but they can apply.
Once your child turns 13 years old, he or she would need to get their own TSA Precheck in order to use the TSA Precheck lanes with the rest of the family.
Is TSA Precheck Worth It?
I consider having TSA Precheck worth the $85 fee (or $100 Global Entry fee) if traveling more than a couple of times per year. If traveling with one or more young children, I think TSA Precheck is an even better value since more people are covered.
Thinking of applying for TSA Precheck? You might want to read the following related posts first:
• TSA Precheck vs. Global Entry: Which Is Best For You?
• How to Get TSA PreCheck: A Guide on How Best to Apply
• How to Get TSA Precheck or Global Entry for Free
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with Global Entry. We didn’t realize we needed to have GE for our 6-month old daughter when we came back from Cancun in September. The TSA agent gave us a hard time under the reasoning that we could be smuggling a child into the US. Now, both of our kids have GE.
I only found out about the Global Entry and kids thing recently but didn’t know the reason behind it…interesting. Thanks for sharing your experience.
What does it have to do with smuggling a child? Whether you go through the Global Entry lane or the normal lane, they are going to verify the child is yours.
Are children included in Global Entry?
We have an upcoming post discussing that but the short answer is no, they are not.
Kids are included in the TSA PreCheck domestic travel part of Global Entry, but not for international travel.
My son has autism and is 31yrs old. Can I apply for him or does he have to be present?
I recommend calling or emailing the TSA and asking how it works. I suspect it is a similar process as applying for a minor child. You can probably complete the application for him but he would need be present for the interview and so that they can take his photo and fingerprints. You would probably be able to accompany him to the interview which is what happens when parents apply for TSA or Global Entry for minor children.