Frequently Asked Questions About Live Scan Fingerprinting
Many professional fields require live scan fingerprinting as part of their licensing requirements. The live scan involves capturing an individual’s fingerprints and personal demographic information. The fingerprints and demographic data are then submitted to the requesting agency for processing. The requesting agency will provide you with a live scan submission form to bring to the live scan provider. The form has specific information for the live scan operator that must be included in your background check.
What is Live Scan Fingerprinting?
Live scan fingerprinting is a process where an electronic scanner captures and stores a person’s fingerprints digitally. The digitized fingerprints are then sent to the appropriate authorities for processing. Live scan technology is faster and more accurate than traditional ink fingerprinting. In recent years, live scan operator fingerprint processing has become popular for people who must submit their fingerprints for various reasons. For example, many employment applications require that applicants undergo a criminal background check. In addition, some states have made live scan fingerprinting a mandatory step for obtaining certain professional licenses.
To get your fingerprints live scanned, you must bring a government-issued photo ID. For the most part, this means a valid driver’s license. However, some locations may accept other types of ID, such as U.S. or foreign passports. Depending on the site, you must also pay any necessary fees. Once your fingerprints are live scanned, they will be electronically transmitted to the Department of Justice. The DOJ will conduct a criminal background check and notify the agency that submitted your fingerprints about your results. In most cases, the DOJ processes live scan submissions within 72 hours. However, delays can occur.
How Does Live Scan Fingerprinting Work?
Taking your fingerprints using live scan technology is efficient and relatively quick. Set up an appointment at your preferred live scan site by calling or doing so online. Arrive at your scheduled time with a valid photo ID with your name and photo (a driver’s license is best). The live scan operator will open the live scanning software and instruct you to place your fingers one at a time on the scanner. The prints are digitally captured and submitted for background check processing. The results are immediately transmitted to the requesting agency, usually within 24 hours, depending on the background check system used by the agency.
The requesting agency may be an employer, school, non-profit organization, home-care agency or government agency, such as a police department or a child-support agency. This agency will provide a form that must be filled out by the live scan applicant, including any pertinent information and the required fees for live scan submission.
The requesting agency will only receive the background check results from the live scan submission. If another organization asks the applicant to get fingerprinted, the applicant will have to go through the live scan process again. The results are only sent to the first requesting agency that submitted the applicant’s fingerprints to the FBI to conduct a background check.
Why Is Live Scan Fingerprinting Better Than Ink-Based Fingerprinting?
Live scan fingerprinting is a modern and convenient way to capture and transmit digital images of your fingerprints. It does away with the requirement for paper and ink, which can cause smudges, errors, and other issues with conventional fingerprinting techniques. The process is also much faster than ink-based fingerprinting. In addition, live scan fingerprinting can be used for various applications, including law enforcement, immigration, and licensing. Many different agencies require people to get their fingerprints taken for various reasons. Often, this involves getting a criminal background check done by the FBI or local authorities. In other cases, the requirement is for civil purposes such as employment or licensing. In many cases, the person who needs fingerprinting will fill out a request form, which usually includes information about the agency and how they want the fingerprints submitted.
Those who need to get their fingerprints taken can do so at many different locations, including police stations, military recruitment offices, and private companies that offer live scan services. The process is fairly simple and should only take a few minutes. The person must provide a valid photo ID and place their finger or thumb on the scanner, which will then scan the fingerprints and send them to the appropriate authority. After checking the fingerprints, the person can expect to receive their results in a few days.
What Are the Benefits of Live Scan Fingerprinting?
There are several benefits to live scan fingerprinting:
- It’s faster than traditional ink fingerprinting. Generally, the background check is completed within a few days versus ten to 60 days when an ink-based print is submitted on a fingerprint card.
- Live scan eliminates the common errors when applying ink to fingerprints, such as smudging or over-inking.
- Live scan is environmentally friendly, as the process is paper-free.
It helps reduce the need for cutting trees to produce more paper and reduces waste. Finally, live scan eliminates the need for multiple sets of fingerprints on different forms. It is particularly helpful for individuals who must submit their fingerprints for various reasons, such as a new job, obtaining an education license or certification, or applying for an immigration or naturalization matter. To get a live scan background check, an individual must bring their request for a background check from the agency or employer that requested it, as well as valid identification (driver’s license is best) to a local live scan location. Then, the fingerprints are scanned electronically and sent to the appropriate authorities. Generally, the live scan operator will charge a fee, known as a rolling fee, to perform the service. While some government agencies can request an applicant’s criminal record without having them undergo a live scan, it is less accurate and more likely to include other people’s arrests and convictions. Moreover, the only way to receive a complete and precise background report is through the live scan process.
