Fingerprinting FAQ & Resources
Everything you need to know before your appointment.
✓ Valid ID Required | ✓ Walk-ins Welcome | ✓ LiveScan Experts
Our Fingerprinting FAQ and resource guide is designed to provide you with everything you need for a frictionless experience. Whether you are coming in for a standard corporate background check, submitting an ATF EFT file, or applying for an out-of-state medical license, proper preparation is key. Review the comprehensive resources below to ensure you have the exact documents and information required before you arrive at our office or before our mobile concierge team arrives at yours.
General Fingerprinting FAQ
Do I need an appointment?
Appointments are highly recommended to guarantee your specific time slot and ensure zero wait times. While walk-ins are generally accepted, they may experience delays depending on our daily mobile and in-office schedule. Securing a slot online takes less than two minutes.
What is LiveScan vs. Ink?
LiveScan is digital fingerprinting. It is significantly cleaner, exponentially faster, and has a much lower rejection rate from federal agencies than traditional ink cards. However, we offer both services because certain out-of-state agencies still mandate wet ink rolled directly onto an FD-258 card.
How long does the appointment take?
The actual capture process is highly efficient. Whether you choose digital LiveScan or standard ink, the process usually takes just 10 to 15 minutes from the time you sit down with our certified technician to the moment you walk out the door with your documents.
I have a wet hand / dry hand issue. Can you help?
Yes. One of the most common issues in our Fingerprinting FAQ database involves poor ridge detail due to severely dry skin or excessive moisture. Our technicians are expertly trained to capture acceptable prints even from difficult hands using specialized lotions, moisture balms, and professional ridge-building techniques.
What happens if my prints are rejected?
While our digital LiveScan system dramatically reduces rejection rates by analyzing the print quality in real-time, age or occupational wear can sometimes cause the FBI or requesting agency to reject a submission. If this happens, we offer discounted re-fingerprinting services to quickly resolve the issue and keep your application moving forward.
Do you offer mobile on-site services?
Absolutely. As detailed throughout our website and this Fingerprinting FAQ, we specialize in VIP and corporate mobile deployments. We can bring our certified technicians and secure LiveScan equipment directly to your corporate headquarters, saving your executive team hours of valuable time.
Vital: What to Bring
Vital: What to Bring- Current Government ID: A valid State Driver's License, U.S. Passport, or official State ID. (Must be valid and unexpired).
- Request Form: If your employer or agency gave you a form with codes (ORI, CRD), you MUST bring it.
- Payment: We accept all major Credit/Debit cards and Cash.
Why Digital LiveScan is Safer & Faster Than Ink
If you have ever applied for a professional license in the past, you remember the mess of black ink and the anxiety of wondering if the technician got a "good print." Technology has changed that completely.
1. No More Rejections
With ink, you have one shot. If it smudges, the agency rejects it weeks later. With LiveScan digital capture, our system gives us instant feedback. We know your prints are perfect before you even leave the chair.
2. Speed: Hours vs. Weeks
Ink cards must be mailed, sorted, and manually scanned by the government. Digital prints are transmitted instantly via a secure, encrypted tunnel. Most clients get background check results in 24-48 hours instead of 2-4 weeks.
3. Professional Cleanliness
No scrubbing black ink off your hands before returning to the office. Our glass scanners are clean, sanitary, and completely ink-free.