Fingerprint Submissions

Fingerprint Submissions Applicants

Types of Fingerprint Submissions

Digitally Scanned Fingerprints

Live Scan technology allows digitally scanned fingerprints to be submitted electronically to the Department of Justice within a matter of minutes and allows criminal background checks to be processed usually within 72 hours.

In California, fingerprinting must be done by a certified fingerprint roller or qualified law enforcement personnel.

See List of Applicant Live Scan Sites to find the fingerprinting services nearest you.

Visas, Immigration, and Foreign Adoptions (Live-Scan)

California law allows you to request a record clearance from the Department of Justice for visa/ immigration and foreign adoption purposes. Failure to follow these procedures may result in a delay or the rejection of your application for a clearance letter under Penal Code Section 11105(c)(8).

Beginning April 6, 2006, the Department of Justice will only mail responses to the applicant concerning Visa/Immigration clearances. It is the applicant’s responsibility to forward the information to their legal counsel or assistance agency. Also, please note that we do not provide clearances for children under the age of 14.

Contact your local Police Department or Sheriff’s Office regarding the availability of “Live-Scan” fingerprinting service, the fee charged by the agency for the taking of your fingerprints, and the types of payment they accept. See List of Applicant Live Scan Sites to find the fingerprinting services nearest you.

Go to the agency you have selected and have your fingerprints taken. Your total costs will be $32 plus the fingerprint rolling fee charged by the Live-Scan agency. You may use the services of a private fingerprint service as long as the live-scan fingerprint technician is certified by the California Department of Justice.

Individuals not living in California or who do not have access to Live Scan services must use the manual fingerprint submission process. Mail documents and payment to: California Department of Justice, Record Review Unit, P.O. Box 903417, Sacramento, CA 94203-4170.

There is an appeal process for criminal record reviews. Individuals are provided with a Claim of Alleged Inaccuracy or Completeness (Form BCII 8706) with any criminal history record provided.

fingerprint

The California Department of Justice provides an automated service for criminal history background checks that may be required as a condition of employment, licensing, certification, foreign adoptions or VISA/Immigration clearances. Here is information for individuals needing to submit fingerprints for background checks.

Beginning July 1, 2005, all applicant fingerprint submissions must be transmitted electronically. Live Scan digital submissions provide the quickest way to submit and process background checks.

Applicants must get instructions and the forms required for fingerprinting services from the agency requiring their criminal history background check. Since different forms are used, individuals seeking a "clearance letter" from the department for visa, immigration or foreign adoptions purposes should refer to the VISA/IMMIGRATION/FOREIGN ADOPTIONS section below.

Where To Get Fingerprinting Services.

Fingerprinting services are available at most local police departments, sheriff's offices or any public applicant Live Scan site. To find the site nearest to you and a listing of fees, see Applicant Live Scan Sites. If living outside California, you must submit rolled fingerprints on paper fingerprint cards and pay all appropriate fees.

Fingerprint Submission Change.

Effective July 1, 2005 Penal Code section 11077.1 mandates the Department of Justice only accept electronically transmitted fingerprint images from regulatory entities performing background investigations of applicants. FD-258 fingerprint cards should not be submitted after July 1, 2005.

The Department of Justice does have limited statutory authority to issue an exemption to this mandate if an electronic transmission site is regionally unavailable or internal processing procedures dictate a need. If an exemption is sought, applicants, not the regulatory entity, must submit a BCII 9004 - Request for Exemption from Mandatory Electronic Fingerprint Submission Requirement form PDF logo [PDF 15 kb / 1 pg] along with the FD-258 fingerprint card.

Valid Photo ID Needed.

Applicants must present valid photo identification when being fingerprinted. Expired identification information will not be accepted.

Varying Fees.

A fingerprint-rolling fee may be collected when you get your fingerprints taken. Since this fee varies widely among locations, you will want to review the cost before going to a fingerprinting site. Be sure to check for any restrictions on method of payment, such as cash or money order only. The List of Applicant Live Scan Sites provides information by location on fees, hours of operation and if an appointment is needed.

There also is a criminal history processing fee collected by the California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation for the background checks. While often paid by the agency requesting criminal history reviews, some applicants may have to pay this fee so check with your requesting agency.

Checking on Status of Fingerprint Submission.

Please allow a minimum of seven days before making a status inquiry. Applicants should check first with the agency that requested the background review since the Department of Justice sends results directly to the applicant agency. Requests that require the manual processing of criminal history information, such as those involving pre-1945 cases, also may delay the reporting of results.

24-hour Automated Telephone Service Available: 916-227-4557. If a requesting agency does not have results yet and digital Live Scan fingerprints were submitted, you can use the automated telephone system to check on your submission. You will need the following information: (1) your date of birth; and (2) the 10-digit Automated Transaction Identifier (ATI) number that appears at the bottom of the Department of Justice form requesting Live Scan fingerprint background checks. The ATI number always appears in the following sequence: 1 LETTER; 3 NUMBERS; 3 LETTERS and 3 NUMBERS.

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