LiveScan fingerprinting has replaced ink methods in most states. The fingerprint biometrics market hit $26.3 billion in 2025 as agencies switched to electronic submissions.
We’ve done thousands of LiveScan appointments for healthcare workers, teachers, immigrants and professionals getting licensed. Here’s where to find authorized providers, what to bring and how to avoid mistakes that waste weeks.
What is LiveScan Fingerprinting?
LiveScan captures fingerprints digitally through a scanner. Unlike ink fingerprinting, LiveScan sends prints electronically to databases within seconds.
Here’s why that matters: we see your prints on screen right away. Something look smudged? We redo it now. With ink cards, you’re sitting around for weeks before finding out there’s a problem.
LiveScan vs Ink Fingerprinting: Key Differences
| Factor | LiveScan | Ink Fingerprinting |
| Capture Method | Digital scanner | Ink pad and paper card |
| Submission Speed | Instant electronic | Mailed physical cards |
| Results Timeline | 24-72 hours (FBI) | 2-6 weeks typical |
| Error Detection | Immediate review | Discovered weeks later |
| Rejection Rate | 5-8% | 15-20% |
| Cost | $50-150 total | $30-80 total |
FBI data shows over 92% of submissions now go electronic because it’s faster and more accurate.
Why Go with LiveScan Instead of Ink?
- Faster Results – Fingerprints hit agencies within hours. Background checks come back in 24-72 hours, not weeks.
- Catch Errors Right Away – We see print quality on screen. Unclear prints get fixed now, not after you’ve waited three weeks.
- Lower Rejection Rate – LiveScan gets rejected 5-8% of the time versus 15-20% for ink cards.
- No Ink Mess – Clean process. No stains on your hands or clothes.
Who Needs LiveScan Fingerprints?
Here’s who needs LiveScan:
- Healthcare Workers – Nurses, doctors, medical assistants need clearance before seeing patients. State boards won’t give you a license without prints.
- Teachers and School Staff – K-12 jobs need background checks for anything involving kids
- Financial Professionals – Real estate agents, mortgage brokers, financial advisors need prints for state licenses
- Immigration Applicants – USCIS wants LiveScan for naturalization, green cards, visas. People who lived here before often need FBI clearance certificates too
- Adoptive and Foster Parents – Home studies won’t move forward without prints for every adult in the house
- Volunteers Working with Minors – Youth coaches, mentors, scout leaders have to pass screening before working with kids
- Commercial Drivers and Security Personnel – CDL holders, armed guards, private investigators need clearance
Immigration and adoption cases almost always need notarized translations, affidavits, or consent forms along with prints.
Where to Get LiveScan Fingerprints
Law Enforcement Agencies: Police departments and sheriff’s offices do LiveScan for federal checks. Cheaper but hours are limited.
Private Fingerprinting Companies: Independent providers have flexible hours and take appointments. Costs more but way easier to schedule.
Notary and Business Service Offices: Some notary offices do LiveScan with document services for licensing, immigration, or adoption cases where you need both.
Mobile LiveScan Services: Mobile providers come to you. Great for businesses doing multiple employees.
How to Find LiveScan Locations Near You
Check with the Requesting Agency: They’ll give you a list of approved locations.
Search State Databases: States keep online directories through their DOJ websites.
Verify Authorization: Make sure the provider can submit to your agencies before booking.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Missing paperwork kills appointments. Bring:
- Valid Photo ID – Driver’s license, passport, or state ID. Name has to match your paperwork exactly.
- Live Scan Request Form – Original from your employer or agency
- ORI Number – Get this routing code from whoever asked for prints
- Payment – Cash, credit card, or check (call ahead about cards)
Immigration cases need notarized translations. Licensing apps often need notarized transcripts. Adoption paperwork needs notarized consent forms. Get prints and notarized docs done together – saves you a second trip.
The LiveScan Process
Check-In: We check your ID and catch paperwork errors right away.
Data Entry: Your info goes into the system. Watch the screen – mistakes happen with middle names, suffixes, or flipped numbers.
Fingerprint Capture: You put each finger on the scanner. We check quality against FBI standards before the next one.
Quality Review: Problems show up on screen and get fixed now. That’s why LiveScan rejects 5-8% versus 15-20% for ink.
Electronic Submission: Prints go out electronically once approved. Keep your receipt – you need that transaction number to track things.
How Long Does Processing Take?
FBI Checks: Results come back in 24 to 72 hours. What shows up depends on what type of screening you’re doing.
State Checks: Takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
What Does LiveScan Cost?
LiveScan Fingerprinting Cost Breakdown
| Cost Type | What It Covers | Typical Fee |
| LiveScan Service Fee | Fee charged by the fingerprinting provider for capturing and electronically submitting fingerprints | $10 – $75 |
| FBI Processing Fee | Standard federal fee for criminal history background checks | $18 |
| State Processing Fee (Florida – FDLE) | State-level background check processing fee | $24 |
| State Processing Fee (California – DOJ) | State-level background check processing fee | $32 |
| Estimated Total Cost | Combined provider and government fees | $50 – $150 |
What to know:
LiveScan costs are made up of two parts the service fee charged by the fingerprinting provider and processing fees set by federal or state agencies. Government processing fees are fixed, while service fees may vary by location, appointment type and whether additional services (such as identity verification or notarized documents) are needed.
Common Problems
From doing hundreds of appointments each month, here’s what causes issues:
- Dry or Worn Prints – Construction workers, mechanics, nurses often have faint patterns. Moisturize three days before, skip lotion that day.
- Sweaty Hands – Nervous people don’t realize their palms are sweating till prints smudge. Wash and dry hands right before.
- Wrong Info – Misspelled middle names, wrong suffixes, flipped Social Security numbers send prints to the wrong agency.
- Wrong ORI Number – Happens with multiple background checks going or outdated numbers from employers. Double-check before you go.
Picking a Provider
Authorization: Make sure they can submit to your agency.
Combined Services: Need notarized affidavits or sworn statements with prints? Find providers doing both. Immigration, licensing and adoption cases usually need notarized docs.
Experience: Providers who handle worn prints or dry skin know tricks that work.
Availability: Law enforcement costs less but limited hours. Private providers charge more, have evenings and weekends.
Wrapping Up
You can get LiveScan through law enforcement, private companies, notary offices, or mobile providers. Before booking, make sure they’re authorized for your agency and can meet your deadline. Need both prints and notarized documents? Happens all the time with immigration, licensing and adoption. Find providers doing both in one visit. Notary Plus More does LiveScan and notary services for FBI, FDLE and state licensing boards.
