Live Scan Fingerprinting

Electronic Fingerprinting Services

What Is Live Scan Fingerprinting?

Live Scan is inkless electronic fingerprinting. The fingerprints are electronically transmitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for completion of a criminal record check.

The Live Scan technology at Smart Decision replaces the process of recording an individual's fingerprint patterns through a rolling process using ink. Digitizing the fingerprint minutiae (the characteristics that make fingerprints unique) enables the electronic transfer of the fingerprint image data in combination with personal descriptor information to central computers at the DOJ in a matter of seconds, instead of the days required to send hard copy fingerprint cards through the mail.

Moreover, the DOJ will coordinate other processing resulting from the automated submission of fingerprints, including forwarding the fingerprints to the FBI (if required).

Why "Live Scan" Fingerprinting?

As a result of legislation in late 1997, DOJ has developed an automated background check process that requires digitized fingerprints ("Live Scan"). Beginning January 1, 2000, DOJ has asked that fingerprints be submitted by Live Scan rather than hard copy fingerprint cards. Digitizing the fingerprints enables the electronic transfer of the fingerprint image data along with personal descriptor information to computers at the DOJ in a matter of seconds, instead of the days required to send hard copy fingerprint cards through the mail. DOJ's goal is to process 95% of the digitized fingerprints within 3 days.

Trust in Our Trained Technicians

A trained technician will take your fingerprints using Guardian fingerprint scanner. That is all there is to it. The process takes approximately 7 - 10 minutes and your prints are immediately available for electronic transmission to the appropriate FBI-Certified channeling agencies for background processing.

Why You May Need Our Services:

Real estate licensees
Notaries
Vehicle sales/dealers
Foster parents
Stockbrokers
Teachers
Appraisers
Elder caregivers
Security guards and much more

What Are the Benefits of a Live Scan?

Live Scan can help 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 the 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. 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.

What Is a Request for Live Scan Service Form and Where Do I Get One?

The Request for Live Scan Service form is a government form in triplicate, identified at the top with REQUEST FOR LIVE SCAN SERVICE - Applicant Submission. It can also be identified with the code (BCII 8016), which is located on the bottom left corner of the form. In order to be fingerprinted using Live Scan, you must obtain one of these forms first. If you do not have one and are wondering how you acquire one, contact the agency or person who is requesting you to be fingerprinted, as we do not supply the form.

What do I need to bring with me?
1. Three copies of filled out Request for Live Scan Service form
2. Payment or Authorization form (for contracted companies)

3. Your Valid Picture Identification:

Valid, state issued identification or driver's license
Driver's license issued by a Canadian government authority
Non-expired ID card used by federal, state or local government agencies/entities with a
photograph (i.e., passport, visa, etc.)
Military, military dependent's ID card or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
Alien Registration/Immigration/Green card

(We accept Credit Cards (Discover, Master Card, Visa), Cashier's checks, Money Orders, Checks, Cash, and Account Billing (contract required)).

What is the cost for Live Scan?

The cost includes a rolling fee (which varies per agency), plus applicable State and Federal charges.

Our Rolling fee is $33.00 ($30.00 with one year contract for companies).
DOJ (Department of Justice) charge is $32.00
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) charge is $17.00 and goes up based on your Live Scan Request Form.

These rates are subject to change. There are other additional charges which might apply depending on the type of application being processed. You will be advised of the cost at the time of making an appointment. The cost of Live Scan fingerprint processing will depend on the type of background check being requested.

Why Do I Have to Be Fingerprinted Again if I've Already Been Fingerprinted in the Past?

DOJ policy - sharing of criminal history is not permitted
For identification purposes
Each job/license/permit application can require a different level of service, i.e., some require DOJ, some require both DOJ and FBI, in addition to other checks

FBI Electronic Submission

One of the key services we offer is the FBI Personal Record Review (also known as U.S. Departmental Order 556-73). Applicant Services offers the fastest service in the industry with the ability to deliver your FBI Report online. Typical search results are delivered in hours, not days or weeks. You may securely review your results upon successful login with our Advanced Authentication protocol and use the results for:

Requesting a copy of your FBI criminal record to challenge the content within, review or correct information, and other court-related purposes
Meeting requirements to live, work, or travel in a foreign country
Adopting a child (some states require state specific or local background checks)
Sending results directly to your attorney for review to ensure fair and accurate legal representation

Please go to www.ApplicantServices.com to get started.

Click here for a full list of our fees.

You might not always have the time to come in and see us. Let us come to you with our mobile services.

818-346-7500

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