Traveling internationally involves navigating a web of requirements, and for those entering the United States under the Global Entry program, one specific detail often causes confusion: the redress number. While your Known Traveler Number (KTN) helps expedite your journey through TSA checkpoints, the redress number serves a distinct and critical function within the broader customs and border protection system. Understanding the difference and knowing where to enter this information is essential for a smooth travel experience.
What is a Redress Number?
A redress number is a unique identifier issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to travelers who have been mistakenly flagged as a security risk or placed on a watchlist. This designation is part of the DHS’s Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP), designed to resolve issues that cause unnecessary delays and scrutiny during airport screenings and border crossings. If you have ever been stopped for additional questioning due to a name that matched a person of interest, applying for redress is the method to clear your name from these automated systems.
Distinguishing Between Known Traveler Numbers and Redress Numbers
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck: The Known Traveler Number
When you enroll in programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you receive a nine-digit Known Traveler Number (KTN). This number is the one you input during online check-in and security screening to access expedited lanes. It links directly to your profile and membership status. The KTN is designed to signal to security personnel that you are a low-risk, pre-vetted traveler, streamlining the process without removing the need for standard security protocols.
The Redress Number: Clearing Your Name
In contrast, a redress number is not a marker of expedited service but rather a tool for error correction. It does not grant you access to faster security lines. Instead, it functions as a digital flag that tells automated security systems, "This person has been cleared." When you enter your redress number, you are instructing the database to pull up your TRIP case and suppress the erroneous flag that caused the initial alarm. It is a shield against false positives, ensuring your travel is not impeded by someone else’s identity or a past mistake.
Locating the Redress Number on Your Documents
If you have previously applied for redress, you likely received a letter or email containing your official identification. This document will feature a unique alphanumeric code. On the physical Global Entry card issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), this number is printed prominently. You should look for the label "Redress Number" or "Redress Control Number" on the back of the card, typically situated in the bottom right corner. It is crucial not to confuse this with the QR code or the magnetic strip, as the redress number is the specific string of characters meant for entry into travel databases.
When and How to Enter the Redress Number
While the Global Entry card itself contains the number, you must actively input it during specific stages of your journey to ensure the system recognizes your cleared status. The most critical moment is during the automated kiosk process upon returning to the United States. After scanning your passport, the kiosk will prompt you to enter your KTN. Immediately below this field, there is a designated area labeled "Redress Number" or "Redress Code." Entering your redress number here is what finalizes the verification, signaling to the CBP database that you are the individual associated with the TRIP case and should not be flagged.
