Travel Document Glossary

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A-Number (Alien Registration Number): A 7-, 8-, or 9-digit number assigned by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to non-citizens. Found on Green Cards and other immigration documents. Format: A123456789.

Biometric data: Physical identifiers like fingerprints, iris scans, or facial recognition data. CLEAR uses iris and facial biometrics; TSA and CBP use fingerprints during enrollment.

CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection): The federal agency that runs Global Entry and other Trusted Traveler Programs. Part of the Department of Homeland Security.
CLEAR Plus: A private (non-government) identity verification service that uses biometric data — iris and facial recognition — to speed up airport security. Costs $189/year and works at 50+ U.S. airports. Different from TSA PreCheck, though many travelers use both.
Concierge service: What we do — handling your application end-to-end so you don't have to. Includes form preparation, document validation, agency communication, and appointment booking.

DS-11 (passport application — new): The U.S. Department of State form for first-time passports, replacing a lost passport, or renewing a passport for a child under 16. Must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency.
DS-82 (passport renewal by mail): The U.S. Department of State form for renewing an adult U.S. passport by mail. Eligibility: your most recent passport was issued within the last 15 years, you were 16 or older when issued, it's not damaged, and you have it in your possession.

Expedited processing (passport): An optional $60 government fee that reduces State Department processing time from 6–8 weeks to 2–3 weeks. Available for both DS-11 (new) and DS-82 (renewal) applications.

Fingerprints (FBI background check): Required at the in-person enrollment appointment for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. The FBI uses them to run a criminal background check. Lasts 5 years before re-enrollment.

Global Entry: A CBP Trusted Traveler Program that lets approved members skip immigration lines when re-entering the U.S. by air or land. Includes TSA PreCheck® benefits at no extra cost. Government fee: $120, valid 5 years.
Green Card (Permanent Resident Card): Form I-551, issued by USCIS, proving lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. Required for non-citizens applying for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

KTN (Known Traveler Number): A 9-digit number issued by TSA after PreCheck enrollment is approved. You enter this number in the airline reservation when booking flights to get the PreCheck® indicator on your boarding pass.

LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident): Non-citizens with the legal right to live and work permanently in the U.S. Hold a Green Card. Eligible for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, but not for U.S. Passport.

Naturalization Certificate: USCIS Form N-550 or N-570, issued when a non-citizen becomes a U.S. citizen through naturalization. Acts as proof of citizenship for U.S. passport applications.

PASS ID: An older term for the unique identifier on a Trusted Traveler Program card. Replaced in most contexts by KTN for PreCheck and PASSID for Global Entry.
Passport Acceptance Facility: Local post offices, libraries, and government offices designated to accept DS-11 (new passport) applications. They verify your identity, take your application, and forward it to the State Department.
Passport Agency: U.S. State Department agency offices that handle urgent passport requests for travel within 14 days. Appointments required — limited slots. Locations: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, LA, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, NY, Norwalk (CT), Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan, Seattle, Tucson, DC, and Aurora (CO).
Passport Card: A wallet-sized travel document for U.S. citizens, valid only for land and sea travel between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. NOT valid for international air travel. Cheaper than the passport book ($65 new, $30 renewal).
Passport Book: The standard U.S. passport — valid for international air, land, and sea travel anywhere. New adult: $130 + $35 execution = $165 total government fee. Renewal: $130. Adds expedited service for $60.

REAL ID: A federal standard for state-issued IDs and driver's licenses. Starting May 7, 2025, REAL ID-compliant IDs are required for domestic flights and federal buildings. A passport book or passport card also satisfies the REAL ID requirement.
Renewal eligibility (passport): DS-82 by-mail renewal requires: most recent passport issued within the last 15 years, issued when you were 16 or older, undamaged, and in your possession. Otherwise you must submit DS-11 in person.
Routine processing (passport): Standard, non-expedited processing time at the U.S. Department of State. Currently 6–8 weeks for both new and renewal applications. No additional fee beyond the base passport fee.

SENTRI: A CBP Trusted Traveler Program for expedited entry from Mexico. Includes Global Entry benefits. Government fee: $122.25, valid 5 years.
SSN (Social Security Number): A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and authorized workers. Optional but recommended for TSA PreCheck — speeds up the background check.

TTP (Trusted Traveler Program): Umbrella term for CBP-managed expedited-entry programs: Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST. Each has its own fee and eligibility.
TSA (Transportation Security Administration): Federal agency responsible for airport security. Runs the PreCheck® program. Part of the Department of Homeland Security.
TSA PreCheck®: A TSA program that lets approved travelers go through expedited airport security at 200+ U.S. airports — keeping shoes, belts, and laptops on. Government fee: $78, valid 5 years.

U.S. citizen: A person born in the United States, born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, or naturalized. Required status for U.S. passport applications. Lawful permanent residents are NOT U.S. citizens.
U.S. national: A narrow legal category — primarily people born in American Samoa or Swains Island. Not the same as U.S. citizens but eligible for U.S. passports (with specific endorsements) and TSA programs.
UES (Universal Enrollment Services): The TSA contractor that runs PreCheck enrollment. They take your fingerprints and verify your documents at one of 380+ enrollment centers nationwide.