Live Scan Fingerprinting – How to Apply for it

Live Scan is an inkless, electronic means of capturing fingerprints in a digitized format and then transmitting them to the concerned departments. Previously, fingerprints were taken by applying ink to each finger, then rolling each finger on a fingerprint card. This method was inherently messy and prone to capturing poor image quality. By processing via Live Scan fingerprinting, criminal history responses can be provided within a matter of hours if received electronically or 3 -5 days if received by mail.

Live Scan provides the fingerprint technician with the opportunity to retake a print several times to ensure they are capturing the best image quality possible.

Popularity of Live Scan fingerprinting:

Fingerprinting has tremendously developed over the years due to the technological advances made by the forensic science. Live Scan has made its way into the public’s vernacular and onto the main stage of personal identification methodology.

How is it processed?

Live scan fingerprinting is inkless and it captures the fingerprint digitally on a computer. The prints are then forwarded electronically to the FBI, Department of Justice or another authorized agency for a criminal background check or for other purposes.

Advantages of Live Scan fingerprinting:

• There is no mess, no smudging and no fading as with the case of black printer's ink.
• There is no chance for human and/or mechanical error as there is with the ink fingerprint method. With the traditional method of fingerprinting, human error could factor into the administration of the procedure from the rolling of the subject's fingers to the amount of ink in the inkpad. Mistakes could also occur on the fingerprint card so that the subject is misidentified.
• The processing time is pretty fast in comparison to traditional way of fingerprinting which may extend for as long as two months.

Checklist for Live Scan request:

Keep the checklist handy to get in and out of your digital fingerprinting appointment fast with accurate results:

• A valid, government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, green card)
• The address where results need to be sent
• A form of payment:

• If you're paying for yourself, please bring along one of the following payment options: cash, personal or company checks (made payable to NBCI), or credit cards (Visa, Mastercard or American Express).
• If your company is paying for you, please provide the payment receipt (if they paid ahead) or Direct Bill Registration Form showing which company we need to bill.

• Knowledge of what background checks your employer is requesting. Along with those items you will need to know if you need a BCI (this is the state check), FBI (this is the national check) or both.
• Knowledge of the reason/purpose for the requested background checks. There are several reasons why individuals may need to have a background check done...

• Getting a license or permitfor financial institutions, liquor sales, security, automotive sales, insurance sales, nursing, real estate appraisal, fireworks, lottery sales, etc.
• Working with or near childrenrelated to education, teaching, adoption, foster parenting, childcare, school transportation, etc.
• Working with or near the elderly at nursing homes, healthcare, transportation, etc.

These are the basic guidelines to apply for a Live Scan fingerprinting. Having these items and information readily available will help make your digital fingerprinting appointment go smoothly and will ensure that your results go to the proper location.