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Digital forms of identity enable the passenger to seamlessly and
securely transmit identity information using facial recognition at
select TSA checkpoints.
Use your smartphone for identity verification with digital identity solutions like mobile driver’s licenses, now accepted at select TSA checkpoints. TSA sees only the necessary information to verify your identity, providing a faster, more secure travel experience while reducing the risk of fraudulent documents. However, all passengers must still carry a physical ID for verification.
Be sure to follow the setup instructions from your device wallet, app or airline before your next trip to ensure it’s ready to present at TSA checkpoints.
TSA officers now use biometric cameras to assist them with identity verification. The photo is optional. Your photo and personal data are deleted after your identity is verified**. Images are not used for law enforcement, surveillance and not shared with other entities. Tell the officer if you do not want your photo taken. You will not lose your place in line.
TSA and DHS Privacy Impact Assessments
At a CAT2, you have four options for presenting your identification: tap or scan your digital ID, or show your driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport.
If you choose to participate in TSA’s use of these technologies, your picture will be taken and compared with your physical ID or digital ID.
To use a digital ID, add your state-issued eligible driver’s license or identification card to your phone using a TSA-approved digital ID app or to your digital wallet.
If you decide to decline the optional photo, notify the officer before presenting your ID.**
Digital IDs allow passengers to securely and seamlessly share their identity information through facial recognition at select TSA checkpoints.
Participation is optional: Must opt-in to participate in the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program during check-in with participating airlines and airports. Store your participation preference, TSA PreCheck KTN and Passport Number in the airline’s mobile app.
By opting in, you can use a dedicated TSA PreCheck Touchless ID line by presenting your boarding pass with the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID indicator. Your identity will be verified without needing to present an ID at bag drop, the security checkpoint, or the boarding gate — just by using facial recognition. All you need is your face. This TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program is exclusive to TSA PreCheck members. Not a TSA PreCheck member? Enroll today!
TSA PreCheck Touchless ID participating airlines and locations:
Delta Airlines (ATL, DCA, DTW, JFK, LAX, LGA, SLC)
United Airlines (ATL, DCA, EWR, LAX, LGA, ORD, SLC)
No. Participation in the testing of biometric technology is voluntary. Passengers may notify a TSA officer if they do not wish to participate and instead go through the standard ID verification process.
Yes. Currently, all passengers must continue to have their physical IDs on hand. If a digital ID cannot be verified at the TSA security checkpoint, a passenger must use an acceptable physical identity document (e.g., driver’s license, passport) to proceed through the identity verification process.
TSA is committed to protecting passenger privacy and secures all personal data collected as part of our biometric efforts. TSA will continue to comply with DHS policies with respect to safeguarding PII throughout each phase of biometric solution development – from initial design to implementation – to protect passenger information. In addition to cybersecurity measures that ensure all data is protected while in transit and while at rest, biometric technology transforms passenger photos to templates that cannot be reverse-engineered to recreate the original image. Additionally, all capabilities TSA tests adhere to DHS and TSA cybersecurity requirements.
Consistent with the DHS Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs), TSA retains PII only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the specified purpose(s) of biometric technology pilots. DHS FIPPs and TSA’s PIAs provide guidance on matters such as transparency, specific use limitations, data minimization, and purpose specification for our biometric identity verification pilots. Additional information on data protection procedures for each test is available in TSA’s PIAs.
TSA exploration of biometric solutions is based on rigorous scientific study and analysis. We are aware of a variety of public concerns related to the accuracy of biometric technologies and take this issue seriously. Along with our federal partners, we are carefully studying biometric solutions in both laboratories and operational environments to proactively identify and mitigate performance issues up front. Accuracy and equity in biometric system performance is a key issue for TSA, and one we are carefully studying to ensure we understand the full benefits of this technology and make informed decisions to mitigate risks.
The acceptance of digital IDs has the potential to modernize checkpoint screening procedures and technologies to better serve the aviation security ecosystem, reduce points of contact for passengers, and pave the way for a more seamless travel experience. This effort is one of the steps TSA is taking under President Biden’s Executive Order on Transforming Customer Experience.
TSA publishes Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) to notify the public about tests and additional information on privacy protections. TSA also notifies passengers using signage at the airport near dedicated test lanes. These signs notify the public that participation is voluntary.
The use of biometrics has the potential to automate the ID and boarding pass verification process for more efficient and secure screening.
Biometric recognition capabilities will improve the performance and security of TSA operations by increasing the accuracy and reliability of passenger identity verification by TSA. Biometrics can enable TSA to automate part of the current manual procedures and allow professional screening personnel to leverage their training and experience to focus more on alarms and error resolution.
No. TSA is testing biometric technology at the airport to improve and perhaps automate the identity verification portion of the process for passengers, not for law enforcement or immigration enforcement purposes. Additionally, TSA does not tolerate racial profiling. Profiling is not an effective way to perform security screening, and TSA personnel are trained to treat every passenger with dignity and respect.
A digital ID is an electronic representation of personally identifying information that may be used to verify the identity of a person. A mobile driver's license is a type of digital ID. It is a digital representation of the information contained on a state-issued physical driver’s license, stored on a mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone, and read electronically. A mobile driver’s license is similar to a credit card holder having a physical credit card and multiple card records in digital wallets that require biometric verification prior to each transaction. A digital ID may also be issued by a non-governmental entity based on information derived from governmental or non-governmental sources.
If TSA is unable to obtain a match through biometric technology as part of a test, the TSA officer will use standard passenger identity verification procedures.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the commercial aviation sector and on TSA’s aviation security mission. TSA must prioritize the health and safety of our officers and the traveling public. To promote social distancing and reduce contact between officers and passengers, we are exploring a self-service version of Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) that enables passengers to scan their own photo IDs for authentication and uses biometrics to verify passenger identity, eliminating a point of contact between officers and passengers. This updated version of CAT (known as CAT-2) biometrically verifies a passenger’s identity by taking a picture and comparing the passenger’s live image to the photo on their authenticated photo ID (e.g., driver's license, passport). TSA first demonstrated this technology in August 2020 at DCA. TSA also conducted additional pilots to further test this technology, starting in March 2021 at DCA, PHX, IND, and MIA. TSA has since upgraded the CAT-2 units to feature a digital ID reader, updated user interface, and other enhancements including a new podium and space for additional processing power. Starting in March 2022, TSA began conducting field tests to assess these upgraded CAT-2 units.
TSA began testing the acceptance of digital IDs, including mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) from participating states, at select TSA PreCheck® checkpoints in early 2022. Checkpoints that are testing the acceptance of digital IDs will have signage posted. TSA is actively engaged with other organizations to continue developing capabilities, standardizing the digital ID ecosystem to ensure interoperability with TSA systems, and piloting digital ID technology at various airport checkpoints around the country.
Participating Field Assessment Pilot Airports
Below is the current list of eligible digital IDs from state or private issuing authorities that may be accepted by TSA at the checkpoint for testing and evaluation purposes.
| Participating State/Issuing Authority | Eligible Digital ID |
| Arizona | Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet |
| California | California DMV Wallet App, Apple Wallet and Google Wallet |
| Colorado | Apple Wallet and Google Wallet |
| Georgia | Apple Wallet , Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet |
| Hawaii | Apple Wallet |
| Iowa | Iowa Mobile ID app, Samsung Wallet, and Apple Wallet |
| Louisiana | LA Wallet |
| Maryland | Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet |
| New York | NY MiD app |
| Ohio | Apple Wallet |
| Utah | GET Mobile App |
The REAL ID Modernization Act (2020) clarified that the REAL ID Act applies to state-issued mobile driver’s licenses and mobile identification cards (collectively "mDLs"). On April 19, 2021, DHS published a request for information to seek public comment to inform an upcoming rulemaking that will address security and privacy standards for the issuance of mDLs and enable federal agencies to accept these credentials for official purposes as defined in the REAL ID Act and regulation.
No. TSA will only be able to receive a passenger’s digital identification information at TSA checkpoints upon a passenger's consent. Passengers will control access to and use of the digital ID kept in their mobile device. Generally, TSA does not copy or store the digital ID, unless it is done in a limited testing environment for evaluation of the effectiveness of the pilot. In that instance, TSA will inform the passenger through PIAs, signage, and other means.
* Travelers must present alternative physical ID if requested by TSA.
**Retention: Photos and biometrics are deleted upon completion of the identity verification transaction. Du ring periodic testing and evaluation, TSA and DHS Office of Science and Technology (S&T) may retain passenger data for up to 24 months. When testing with S&T, signage at the checkpoint will notify passengers of the extended retention period and wil I allow passengers to decline the optional photo.
