Your fingerprints got rejected. The background check you needed just hit a wall and now you’re thinking “what now?”
I get it. You’ve got a job waiting. Or a license you need. And everything’s on pause because of fingerprints that didn’t scan right.
Here’s the thing – you can fix this. After walking thousands of people through Live Scan fingerprinting appointments, I’ve seen these same issues repeatedly. Let me show you what’s going wrong and how to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Understanding Fingerprint Rejection
When fingerprints get rejected during background checks, it’s typically due to image quality issues or missing information. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and FBI both have specific standards and understanding why rejections happen helps you avoid common mistakes.
What Happens When Your Fingerprints Get Rejected?
First, you’ll get a deficiency letter.
You’ve got 90 days to fix this. The state gives you one free shot at redoing them if the problem was image quality. So you’re not paying twice.
The bad news? Everything stops. Your background check. Your application. If you needed that license by August, you’re now watching the calendar.
Understanding processing timeframes helps you plan your next move.
7 Common Reasons Fingerprints Get Rejected
Here are the most common issues that cause fingerprint rejections during background checks:
1. Dry or Cracked Skin (Most Common Cause)
This one gets almost everyone. Walk into any office building and feel that blast of air conditioning. Your hands might look fine, but tiny cracks are forming that you can’t see.
The scanner needs moisture to read your ridge patterns. When your skin’s too dry, those ridges don’t make contact. Result? Faint prints that get rejected.
Healthcare workers and teachers, you’re getting hit worst here. All that hand washing strips your oils faster than they rebuild.
Here’s how you fix it: Start a full week before. Rub in hand lotion three times a day – something oil-free that absorbs. Do this after every hand wash.
But listen – on appointment day, don’t put any lotion on. I know it sounds backwards. But fresh lotion creates smudges that are worse than dry skin. And drink water – hydration works from inside too.
2. Too Much Moisture or Lotion
Now flip to the other side. Some of you are showing up with hands so greasy from lotion that the scanner can’t read anything. Or you’re nervous (I get it – background checks are stressful), so your hands are sweating.
Either way, too much moisture smudges your prints. They come out looking like someone finger-painted and they get sent right back.
What you should do: Right before you come in, wash your hands with regular soap. Dry them completely – and I mean completely. Not damp. Bone dry.
If you’re the type who gets nervous and sweaty, take a few minutes in your car before you go in. Deep breaths. Calm yourself down. Relaxed hands give clearer prints every time.
3. Worn Fingerprints from Manual Work
If you work construction, turn wrenches, or landscape, your hands touch concrete and abrasive materials daily. Over time, it sands down your fingerprints. Those unique patterns fade.
Some of you were born with lighter ridge patterns. And age makes prints fainter naturally.
Here’s my advice: Think about timing. Just finished three days of heavy work? Wait a week. Give your hands time to recover.
Got cuts on your fingertips? Let them heal first. Wear work gloves that week before your appointment. If you’ve got a long weekend coming, schedule right after that.
4. Pressing Too Hard on the Scanner
I see this all the time. People think if they press harder, they’ll get a better print. But you’re actually making it worse.
When you push down too hard, you flatten out your fingerprint. The pressure creates these weird shadow rings around the edges. The scanner looks at that and goes “nope, can’t read this.”
It usually happens when someone gets impatient. The tech’s trying to position your finger just right and you’re thinking “why isn’t this working?” So you press harder. Don’t.
Just relax. Let your hand go completely limp. The technician knows exactly how much pressure they need. You pressing down isn’t helping – you’re making their job harder. If something feels off, tell them. But don’t try to “help” by pushing.
5. Incorrect Personal Information
Sometimes your fingerprints are perfect. But they get rejected anyway. Why? Someone typed your name wrong. Used your old address. Forgot your middle initial.
The system is incredibly picky. One typo and it bounces back.
The ORI number gets messed up a lot – that routing code telling the state where to send your results. Missing Social Security number. Address doesn’t match your current ID.
The FBI’s fingerprint submission guidelines require precise information matching across all fields to process background checks properly.
Here’s what you do: Bring all your documents. Know your ORI number before you walk in – your employer gives you this.
Then watch when they fill out forms. Double-check every field. Make sure everything matches your ID exactly. If you’re dealing with FBI clearance, they’re even pickier.
6. Inexperienced Technician or Poor Equipment
I have to be honest. Not every place that does Live Scan fingerprinting is good at it.
Some hire people with minimal training and rush appointments. They’re not checking the screen to see if the image looks good before sending it off. You find out weeks later when you get that rejection letter.
Outdated equipment makes this worse. An old scanner that’s not calibrated will mess up decent fingerprints.
Do your homework. Read reviews. A good technician checks your prints on screen right in front of you. They’ll know how to fix issues in the moment.
7. Technical Submission Errors
Sometimes everything’s perfect and it still fails. Scanner’s not calibrated. File corrupts uploading. Format’s wrong.
According to state fingerprinting requirements, all equipment must meet specific technical standards. Make sure you’re going somewhere with modern equipment that transmits electronically.
Who Faces Higher Risk of Fingerprint Rejection?
Healthcare and teaching folks – You’re washing hands way more than normal. That’s murder on your fingerprints. Take that prep time seriously.
If you work with your hands – Construction, mechanics, landscaping. Give yourself a week off heavy hand work if you can.
If you’re older – Thinner skin and fainter prints. You need someone really good at tricky prints.
Eczema, psoriasis, or dry skin conditions – Tell the technician when you sit down so they can adjust.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Two IDs – one government-issued with photo, another showing your current address.
Your ORI number from your employer or agency. No ORI = automatic rejection.
If this is round two, bring that rejection letter. It’s got your transaction control number.
Whatever paperwork the agency sent. Bring it all.
What to Do If Your Prints Get Rejected
Go back to whoever did them first. They’ll try something different. Bring that rejection letter – it’s got the transaction number for your free resubmission.
Happens twice? The agency will probably do a name-based background check instead.
Why Live Scan Beats Traditional Ink Fingerprinting
Remember ink pad fingerprints? Those are terrible. The ink’s always wrong, cards get smudged, they get lost in mail.
Live Scan fixes that. The technician sees your prints on screen right there. If something doesn’t look right, they redo it immediately. You’re not waiting three weeks to find out there’s a problem.
Everything goes straight to the processing center electronically.What shows up on your check comes back faster – usually 24 to 72 hours for FBI checks.
Get Your Fingerprints Done Right the First Time
Most fingerprint rejections come down to simple stuff. Dry hands. Fresh lotion. Wrong forms. Someone who didn’t know what they were doing.
You don’t have time to deal with rejection twice. So moisturize for a week before. Show up with clean, dry hands. Bring all your paperwork and check those forms. Find someone who checks prints on screen before sending them.
Need fingerprinting services nearby? Find a provider that’s approved and understands what causes rejections.
At Notary Plus More, we’re approved by FDLE, FBI and FINRA. We check every fingerprint on screen while you’re sitting there. If something doesn’t look right, we fix it immediately. No surprise rejection letters three weeks later. Get your fingerprints done right the first time.
