dhs trip contact number

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DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program

The DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program can provide resolution to travelers with difficulties getting through security and inspection at airport checkpoints, train stations and when crossing U.S. borders.

Learn more and apply for DHS TRIP to resolve travel-related issues if:

• You are unable to print a boarding pass.
• You are denied or delayed boarding a plane.
• You are denied or delayed entry into and exit from the U.S. at a port of entry or border checkpoint.
• You are continuously referred for additional screening at the airport.

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The No Fly List is a small subset of the U.S. government Terrorist Screening Database (also known as the terrorist watchlist) that contains the identity information of known or suspected terrorists. This database is maintained by the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center. For more information about the Terrorist Screening Database, visit the Terrorist Screening Center .

TSA is among the U.S. government agencies that screen individuals using information from the Terrorist Screening Database. TSA implements the No Fly List through its Secure Flight program.  Individuals on the No Fly List are prevented from boarding an aircraft when flying within, to, from and over the United States.

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We care about your experience with us, and we want you to have the opportunity to ask us a question, give us a compliment, or submit a complaint. The CBP Information Center handles all of these interactions, but if you have additional questions about how we process these inquiries please see below.

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If you have a concern or need help understanding CBP regulations and procedures, ask to speak with the Professionalism Service Manager on duty. There are  Professionalism Service Managers  available to travelers on a full-time basis at selected international airports. 

Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS Trip)

The Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a single point of contact for individuals who have had difficulties during travel screenings at transportation hubs such as airports or U.S. borders. 

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What Is a Redress Number for Travel?

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Table of Contents

What is a redress number for flying?

Do i need a redress number, how do i apply for a redress number, how do i use a redress number, redress numbers for tsa recapped.

Whenever you travel by air within, to or from the U.S., you’re electronically screened using the Transportation Security Administration Secure Flight screening program. While this system is transparent for most passengers, it occasionally misidentifies passengers as high risk.

If you've frequently been stopped for additional security during travel or have been denied travel for security reasons, you may consider applying for a redress number to avoid this in the future.

The redress number meaning is a numeric identifier given to individuals who were falsely identified as posing threats to transportation security or public safety when flying. It aims to streamline TSA checkpoints for these travelers.

Here's how redress numbers for travel work and if applying for one is a smart move for you.

The short answer is a redress number is an identifier that allows TSA to match you with the results of your redress case. A redress number is used by the TSA’s Secure Flight program to simplify the watchlist matching process and can prevent future false matches of people who have been misidentified as matching a watchlist in the past.

A redress number is different from a Known Traveler Number , which identifies your membership in Trusted Traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry .

Most travelers won't have a redress number. Only people who have applied for the Department of Homeland Security’s Traveler Redress Inquiry Program, or TRIP, will have one.

If you don't have a redress number and an airline or travel site requests a redress number as part of a booking process, you'll simply leave that field blank.

If you've been denied travel or delayed during travel for additional security screening, or if you've had trouble getting through checkpoints at U.S. borders, DHS TRIP may provide relief from security-related travel woes.

Specifically, TSA suggests that you apply for a redress number if you've had issues like being unable to print a boarding pass, being denied or delayed boarding of a plane, being denied or delayed entry into or exit from the U.S. at a border checkpoint, or are frequently referred for additional screening at an airport.

Here is the list of issues that DHS says TRIP can help resolve:

You were unable to print a boarding pass from an airline ticketing kiosk or from the Internet.

You were delayed or denied boarding an aircraft.

The airline ticket agent informed you that the federal government was not authorizing you to travel.

You are repeatedly referred for secondary screening when clearing a U.S. Customs and Border Protection checkpoint or were denied entry into the U.S.

You were told by CBP at a U.S. port of entry that your fingerprints need to be corrected.

You wish to amend a traveler record because of an overstay as a result of not submitting the required I-94 when exiting the U.S.

You believe you were incorrectly denied ESTA authorization.

If you frequently experience issues like these when traveling, you might want to apply for DHS TRIP.

Note that TRIP is meant to resolve security-related issues like watchlist mismatches. It isn't intended to resolve customer-service complaints, address issues related to discrimination, help you find lost or damaged items or provide assistance during security screening.

Further, having a redress number doesn't guarantee that you'll never be selected for additional screening, but it makes additional screening less likely if you've been previously falsely matched to a watchlist.

» Learn more: TSA PreCheck or Global Entry — which is right for you?

You can apply for a redress number through the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program portal if you believe that you're being incorrectly stopped or screened when flying.

During the application process, you'll be asked a series of screening questions to determine if obtaining a redress number may help solve your travel issues.

To apply, you'll be required to submit ID documents proving your identity. U.S. citizens should provide a copy of the biographical page of an unexpired U.S. passport or, for those without one, a copy of an unexpired government-issued photo identification.

Minors may provide a copy of a birth certificate. Get more advice on how to successfully navigate TSA PreCheck with a family .

Non-U.S. citizens must provide a copy of the biographical page of an unexpired passport and/or copies of one of several U.S. government-issued identification documents. Acceptable identification documents include:

Passport card.

Driver's license.

Birth certificate (for people younger than 18.)

Military identification card.

Government identification card.

Certificate of citizenship.

Naturalization certificate.

Immigrant/non-immigrant visa.

Alien registration.

Petition or claim receipt.

I-94 admission form.

SENTRI card .

NEXUS card .

Border crossing card.

SEVIS card.

After the DHS receives and processes your application, it will send you a resolution letter detailing the outcome of your application. If you feel that your redress request was resolved incorrectly, you should follow the instructions in your resolution letter.

» Learn more: Can Americans travel to Europe?

Making sure your redress number is attached to your air travel reservations will give you the greatest chance of avoiding security hassles when flying or crossing U.S. borders.

You can attach your redress number to a travel reservation during booking, you can add it to your frequent flyer profile or you can ask an airport agent to add your redress number to your reservation at check-in.

Enter your redress number during booking

Enter your redress number during the booking process when using most online travel agencies, airline websites or travel agents.

For example, when booking a flight on Expedia , you can enter your redress number after you provide your name, gender and date of birth. Look for the option to expand the “Frequent flyer, redress and more” section of this page.

Other online travel agencies and airline websites will typically have a similar option during their booking process.

Enter your redress number in your frequent flyer profile

If you belong to a frequent flyer program , you can add your redress number to your loyalty member profile. For many travelers, this is the most convenient way to ensure that your redress number is applied automatically to all their reservations. The process will vary by airline, but this can typically be done online, similarly to how you would add a known traveler number.

If you are a Delta Air Lines SkyMiles member, for example, you can add your redress number to the Secure Flight Info section of your profile. On Delta.com, your Secure Flight Information can be found under the Passenger Details section of your profile.

Similarly, Southwest Airlines members can enter their redress number under the “Travel related info” panel in the personal information section of their profile.

Exactly how to enter your information varies by airline, but the field to enter your redress number can typically be found in the same place where you enter your known traveler information.

» Learn more: The best frequent flyer program and credit card combo

Give your redress number to an airport agent

There may be times when you are unable to add your redress number to your reservation until check-in.

For example, if you book travel as part of a group tour package and your tour provider doesn’t provide your airline confirmation number, or if you booked through an online travel agency and forgot to add your redress number to your reservation, you may show up at the airport without your redress number attached to your reservation.

Most airport ticketing agents should be able to add your redress number to your reservation upon check-in.

While a redress number isn't required for travel and not everyone will need one, if you’ve experienced security-related issues while flying, applying for a redress number may be right for you. By adding it to your travel bookings or frequent flyer accounts, you can help TSA identify you to save time and stress.

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Report Corruption, Fraud, Waste, Abuse, Mismanagement or Misconduct

What to Report to the DHS OIG Hotline

The DHS Office of Inspector General investigates fraud, waste, abuse, and criminal misconduct involving DHS programs, personnel, and funds. Examples of these types of violations include:

• Border corruption
• DHS employee criminal activity
• Misuse of classified information
• Bribery and acceptance of gratuities
• Conflicts of interest
• Disaster and pandemic fraud involving DHS funds
• Contract and procurement fraud
• Whistleblower retaliation

What NOT to Report to the DHS OIG Hotline

The DHS OIG hotline is NOT an emergency services network. While complaints can be submitted to the DHS OIG hotline at any time, the hotline is not actively monitored 24 hours per day and complaints are generally processed in the order they are received. As such, if there is an immediate threat to life or safety, call 911 . Do not use our hotline to report emergencies.

The DHS OIG hotline should not be used to report allegations that are unrelated to DHS or allegations that would be more appropriately addressed by entities other than DHS OIG. Direct links to specific offices for reporting some common issues are as follows:

• Equal Employment Opportunity complaints, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, or protected genetic information, may be reported through the DHS EEO Complaint Process .
• Immigration violations, including marriage fraud and individuals in the country without authorization, may be reported to ICE.
• Medical questions or concerns related to detainees in ICE facilities may be reported to the ICE ERO Detention and Information Line at 1 (888) 351-4024.
• Questions regarding visa or citizenship applications may be reported to the USCIS Ombudsperson .
• Issues related to travel processing, including watchlist questions and denied entry issues, may be reported to the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) Office.

Submitting repeated complaints to DHS OIG regarding the same matter will not result in faster or additional action. Additionally, the DHS OIG hotline should not be used to submit links to news stories or complaints based solely on information derived from the news media.

How can I report an allegation?

Call : 1-800-323-8603 toll free

TTY : 1-844-889-4357 toll free

DHS Office of Inspector General/MAIL STOP 0305 Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline 245 Murray Lane SW Washington, DC 20528-0305

Reporting FEMA Fraud

If you have knowledge of employee corruption, fraud, waste, abuse or allegation of mismanagement involving FEMA disaster relief operations, please report it to the DHS OIG Hotline.  You can file a report online by accessing the DHS OIG Online Allegation Form. Automated filing of the DHS OIG Online Allegation form will ensure that your allegation is expeditiously received by the OIG.

If you wish to receive an electronic “Complaint Number Notification” alert message via email, you must provide a point of contact email address.  Failure to provide a point of contact email address precludes the OIG from notifying you of the assignment of a Complaint Number to your allegation.

Your allegation will be reviewed and processed in the order it was received.  Assignment of a Complaint Number, and notification of such assignment, is not an indication your complaint will be investigated by the DHS OIG or any other applicable investigative body. 

If you cannot use the DHS OIG Online Allegation Form , please file your allegation by:

U.S. Mail: DHS Office of Inspector General/MAIL STOP 0305 Attention: Hotline 245 Murray Lane SW Washington, DC 20528-0305

Phone: 1-800-323-8603

Disaster Relief Resources

Please report as much detailed information as possible such as:  Who? What? Where? Why? How?  Allegations may be made anonymously or you may request confidentiality.

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Undocumented Immigrants

To report undocumented immigrants, please call the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activity.

For more information click here:  http://www.ICE.gov

Employers Hiring Undocumented Immigrants

To report employers hiring undocumented immigrants, please call the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activity.

For more information click here:   http://www.ICE.gov

Reporting Immigration Irregularities or Violations (Not Involving DHS Employees)

To report immigration irregularities or violations, please call the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activity.

Customs and Border Protection

For questions and information regarding the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), please call the CBP INFO Center. The Center is open Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT. You can ask your question via email or by calling 1-877-CBP-5511 .

If you are outside the U.S. you must call 202-325-8000 or click here for additional information: http://www.cbp.gov

Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-8339 or https://www.federalip.us/

Immigration Status

To determine the status of immigration matters or seek assistance in the immigration process, please contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

For more information, click here:   https://www.uscis.gov

Assistance with Immigration or Citizenship

For more information, click here:  https://www.uscis.gov

Hotline Frequently Asked Questions

The Allegations that should be reported to the OIG Hotline include, but are not limited to: Employee corruption, civil rights and civil liberties abuses, program fraud and financial crimes, and miscellaneous criminal and non-criminal activity associated with waste, abuse, mismanagement or misconduct affecting the programs and operations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) .

Who can file an allegation?

The OIG Hotline receives allegations from multiple sources, including DHS employees (to include contractors) and concerned citizens.

How do you file a “whistleblower” allegation?

If you believe you are a victim of whistleblower retaliation, please contact the OIG Hotline or the Office of Special Counsel for more information by accessing the Whistleblower Resources .

Why should I provide my name?

The OIG relies upon concerned employees and citizens to provide us with information regarding alleged employee corruption, waste, fraud, mismanagement or misconduct within DHS. Although not required to do so, we urge you to identify yourself when submitting an allegation using the automated DHS OIG Online Allegation form .  If the information you provide is helpful, we may need to contact you in-person or via the internet, telephone or U.S. Mail for additional information.

Can I remain anonymous? What is confidentiality?

Individuals who contact the OIG may 1) remain anonymous, 2) identify him/herself but request confidentiality by noting they do not wish his/her identity to be revealed, or 3) fully disclose their identity.

It may be necessary for the OIG to reveal a confidential complainant's identity if such identification is necessary to investigate the alleged matter, or as otherwise required by law.  Complainants who file anonymously, or those requesting confidentiality, should understand filing as such may hinder the OIG's ability to thoroughly pursue their complaint.  Anonymity may be forfeited when submitting an online allegation to the DHS OIG Hotline , if a confirmation receipt with Complaint Number is desired

What information should I include in my allegations?

If filing under any condition other than “anonymously” please make sure you provide your name, address, telephone number, and all other pertinent contact information.  If you wish to receive a Complaint Number Notification alert message via email you must provide a valid point of contact email address.

If the alleged offender is a DHS employee, please provide the employee's name, title, tour of duty, and the name and address of the DHS agency where the employee works.  Additionally, the information you provide should be as detailed as possible.

• Who was involved in the alleged wrongdoing (person, DHS Agency or organization)?
• What did the individual or entity do?
• Where did the incident take place?
• When did it happen? Is it still ongoing?
• How was the activity committed?
• How did you become aware of the problem?
• Who else has knowledge of the potential wrongdoing?

Some of this information is (*) “required” when filing an allegation using the online DHS OIG Online Allegation form

How do I file an allegation?

The preferred method of filing an allegation is via the DHS OIG Online Allegation form .  You may also use the U.S. Mail, or phone to file your allegation materials:

What is done with the information that is received by the Hotline?

Information that is received by the OIG Hotline is reviewed to determine if DHS OIG investigation or referral to a more appropriate entity is warranted. If the allegation does not fall within the scope of DHS OIG's jurisdiction, that information may be forwarded to the appropriate agency or authority for their review.  

What can I expect after filing an allegation with DHS OIG?

Unless you are contacted directly by one of our investigators, there will be no communication from our office.

Federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of information contained in investigative and law enforcement records, even to the individual submitting the allegation(s).

Our office will NOT provide anyone, to include the source of the complaint, with the status of action(s) taken on any allegation.  This includes details pertaining to the processing of your complaint.  The information you provide will be handled according to our internal policies and guidelines, and appropriate action will be taken, as determined.

Once a file is closed, results may be requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

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Redress Number: What Is It and Do I Need to Apply for One?

Spencer Howard

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What Is a Redress Number?

When should you get a redress number, step 1: your travel experience, step 2: incidents related to privacy, step 3: incident details, step 4: personal information, step 5: contact information, step 6: attorney/representative information (required if applicable), step 7: identity documentation, step 8: acknowledgement, using your redress number, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are both very popular programs that can help you breeze through airport security checkpoints. You might have even heard of Mobile Passport or CLEAR — but have you heard of a Redress Number?

While a Redress Number won’t be necessary for the vast majority of travelers, it can be necessary to remove some of the stress of airport security for a select few.

Let’s take a look at all the things you need to know about the program so you can decide if it would be useful to you.

A Redress Control Number, more commonly known as a Redress Number, is actually a case number. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) matches travelers to their case number via the Secure Flight program.

Occasionally, TSA’s Secure Flight program will misidentify travelers as a possible risk, which leads to additional security checks. If your name and information match that of another person who is on a watchlist, you might be misidentified.

A Redress Number can help prevent this from happening.

If you regularly have trouble getting through TSA security checkpoints or returning to the U.S. through Customs and Border Protection checkpoints, you should consider applying for a Redress Number.

While Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are great tools for travelers, they won’t prevent these inconveniences if your name is identified by Secure Flight for secondary screening measures.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) suggests a number of reasons why you should use the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP):

The scenarios you might face when flying include:

• Denied or delayed boarding
• Repeatedly being identified for secondary screening
• Received SSSS on your boarding pass
• Unable to print your boarding pass at home or at an airport kiosk
• Access your boarding pass on your mobile device

Additionally, at ports of entry, immigration, customs, or border patrol, you might run into issues such as:

• Additional screening when clearing Customs and Border Protection
• Denied entry into the United States
• Your Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application was denied
• Unable to travel due to your status as a foreign student or exchange visitor

Fortunately, most travelers will not face these issues regularly, if at all. However, for those that do, a Redress Number could help provide a smoother travel experience.

Applying for a Redress Number

If you’ve decided that you might need a Redress Number, you can apply online or with a paper application.

Submitting an online application will be processed faster than an emailed or mailed application. If you plan to email or mail it, you must sign the document first. You can email the applications to [email protected] or mail it to:

DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) 6595 Springfield Center Drive, TSA-910  Springfield, VA 20598-6901 

It can take more than a month for DHS TRIP to process your application, so don’t hesitate to apply. DHS TRIP will notify you via email once they have received your application. This email will include your Redress Number in the subject line. Once a decision has been made, you will receive a letter in the mail.

Now, let’s go through the steps to apply. We’ll be using the paper application in this example, but you will need to provide the same information for the online application.

The first step of the application is to select the scenarios that you have experienced during your travels. While you don’t have to provide specific flight details of the incident(s) (including dates, airport, airline, and flight number), it does help DHS TRIP process your request.

You are required to select each scenario that you have experienced.

If you felt that your privacy was violated by an official or agent who exposed or inappropriately shared your personal information, this is the section to note that. If this is the case, you won’t need to provide more than your name.

In Step 3, you’ll need to explain any of the flight or privacy incidents for which you checked a box in Step 1 and Step 2. This section is required for DHS to review your application for a Redress Number.

Step 4 is where you will provide all of your personal information including full name, birthdate, birthplace, and gender. You’ll also need to share your height, weight, hair color, eye color, and whether you’re a U.S. person (legal permanent resident or U.S. citizen).

The contact information you need to provide is pretty simple. Just provide your mailing address and physical address (if different). You can also provide your email address, but this is optional. Providing your email address will make communication quicker if you choose to mail the application.

If you have an attorney or representative helping you with the DHS TRIP application, you can provide their name and contact information in Step 6. You will also need to authorize the release of information to this person. You can do this by completing the DHS Form 590  Authorization To Release Information To Another Person.

If you have a passport (unexpired), you can provide a copy of it in Step 7. Other eligible documents (with a photo) for the application include:

• Passport card
• Driver’s license
• Birth certificate (only for those under the age of 18)
• Military ID card
• Government ID card
• Certificate of citizenship
• Naturalization certificate
• Immigrant/non-immigrant visa
• Alien registration
• Global Entry
• Border crossing card
• Additional supplemental documents

DHS TRIP specifically mentions that you should NOT provide copies of Social Security cards, tax information, or personal financial documents.

If emailing or mailing your application, you will need to sign and date the application before sending; otherwise, your application cannot be processed.

Similar to how you use your Known Traveler Number for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you can save your Redress Number to your frequent flyer accounts or add it to your individual bookings

Unlike Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, using your Redress Number does not guarantee that you’ll be able to enjoy expedited security. However, you’ll at least be more likely to avoid getting SSSS on your boarding pass and being required to go through secondary screening.

Airport security is a hassle for everyone, but getting pulled for additional screening almost every time you travel can be a real inconvenience. While Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are fantastic tools to make the experience quicker, they won’t be able to help you if you repeatedly get the dreaded SSSS or are denied boarding.

If you regularly experience problems like those discussed above, applying for a Redress Number might be the right move for you. It doesn’t guarantee a quick security experience, but it certainly increases your chances.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a redress number and a known traveler number.

A Redress Number can help prevent you from being misidentified by the TSA’s Secure Flight program (which can lead to secondary screening, delayed boarding, or even denied boarding). A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is your membership number (or PASSID) with a Trusted Program such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or TSA PreCheck.

Is a Redress Number the same as a TSA number?

No, a Redress Number is different from a Known Traveler number (or KTN). A KTN is received from programs such as TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. A Redress Number is given by the Department of Homeland Security.  

Where do I find my Redress Number?

If you’re not sure if you’ve been given a Redress Number in the past or you’ve lost it, contact DHS TRIP directly at [email protected]. They can verify your identity and give you your Redress Number.

Do I need a Redress Number?

A Redress Number is not required to make reservations or to travel. It might be useful if you find yourself repeatedly selected for secondary screening or have been misidentified in the past.

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About Spencer Howard

Always a fan of flying, it was only natural that Spencer was drawn to finding a way to improve the travel experience.

Like many, he started this journey searching for cheap flights to take him around the world. This was fun for a while, but Spencer was intrigued by the idea of flying in business and first class!

Throwing himself into what became an extensive research project, Spencer spent 3-4 hours per night learning everything he could about frequent flyer miles over the course of several months (he thinks this is normal). He runs Straight to the Points, an award-seat alert platform.

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