What is Live Scan Fingerprinting?
Live Scan is inkless electronic fingerprinting. The fingerprints are electronically transmitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other agencies required for completion of a criminal record check.
The Live Scan technology replaces the process of recording fingerprint patterns through a rolling process using ink. Rolled ink prints (traditionally submitted on a fingerprint card) can take 10 to 12 days to process (plus mail time) and up to 60 days if there is a criminal record. Most times records become smudge before processing is complete and becomes difficult to read. By digitizing the fingerprint process enables them to be transmitted electronically to the DOJ in a matter of seconds, instead of the days required to send hard copy fingerprint cards through the mail.
Additionally the DOJ will coordinate other processing resulting from the automated submission of fingerprints, including forwarding the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), if required.
Background of Live Scan Fingerprinting
As a result of legislation passed in late 1997, the DOJ has developed an automated background check process that requires digitized fingerprints ("Live Scan"). Digitizing the fingerprints enables the electronic transfer of fingerprint image.
How Does the Process Work?
A trained technician will scan your fingerprints using a LS1 LITE-XE Live-Scan. That's all there is to it. The electronic fingerprinting appointment takes ten to fifteen minutes and your prints are immediately available for electronic transmission to the appropriate FBI-Certified channeling agencies for background processing.
Who Needs Live Scan?
Live Scan Fingerprints are required to be submitted by Health Care Professionals, Real Estate Licensees, Notaries, Vehicle salespersons, vehicle dealers, driving instructors, or any other vehicle industry related occupation licensed by DMV, Foster Parents, Stock Brokers, Teachers, Appraisers, anyone having contact with children or the elderly, and many others. Your establishment will advise you if you need one and will provide you with a filled out “Request for Live Scan” form which you will bring to us.
What are the benefits of Live Scan?
Live Scan will avoid many of the problems associated with ink prints, such as smudging, smearing, and over or under inking. A major benefit of Live Scan is in processing speed since nearly all of those without criminal records are done within 72 hours and up to 30 days if there is a criminal record.
Requirements
- Applicants must have in their possession a “Request for Live Scan” form which is usually issued by the requesting agency, and handed to the live scan operator.
- The Applicant is required to fill out the portion that applies to them such as name, address, driver’s license information, place of birth, social security number, etc. if it was not done by the requesting agency.
- Applicants must present valid photo identification to the Live Scan Operator. Expired identification cards will not be accepted.
- Our Rolling fees are $25.00 (Twenty five dollars and zero cents) and covers only the operator’s cost for rolling the fingerprint images.
- Additional processing fees are required for the State (DOJ) and Federal (FBI) level criminal history record checks. Other fees apply if additional requests are made.
- Applicant is expected to pay all fees, unless the requesting agency provides a bill number which does not cover our operator’s fees.
