5 Common Fingerprinting Mistakes in Australia

When you get fingerprinted, what do you check for? A fingerprint card can look complete and still fail the overseas submission you’ve been preparing for so long.

This is common for Australians applying for an FBI background check, RCMP criminal record check, FINRA registration or other overseas requirements. Small errors in fingerprint capture or paperwork can mean another appointment, another fingerprint card and additional processing time.

The most common problems related to fingerprinting in Australia are surprisingly simple. Read on to learn more about them.

This is the most common mistake because it is directly related to fingerprint capture.

Common problems include:

• ink that is too heavy or too light
• incomplete rolled impressions
• smudging
• fingers not positioned correctly
• dry or excessively wet hands
• digital captures that do not meet the receiving authority's requirements
   

If an applicant has to travel to a police station or fingerprinting provider, discovering the problem only after the card has been sent overseas is inconvenient.

A quality check at the Australian collection appointment can catch obvious issues before the card leaves the country.

How to avoid it

Have the fingerprints reviewed before leaving the appointment. For international applications, check that every required impression is present and clearly recorded.

A fingerprint card does not include fingerprints only. Names, date of birth, aliases and other identifying information need to match with the documents and application being submitted.

An Australian applicant submitting fingerprints to an overseas authority needs to be very careful. This is because the receiving agency needs to associate the fingerprints with the correct applicant.

Common examples include:

• spelling your legal name differently from your passport
• omitting a previous or other name where the form asks for it
• entering the wrong date of birth
• using inconsistent information across the fingerprint card and application

How to avoid it

Check the completed card against your passport or other accepted identification before it is signed and submitted.

There is no universal fingerprint card for every application. An Australian applicant might need an FD-258, C-216C, FINRA fingerprint card or another form specified by the receiving authority.

Using a locally available fingerprint form does not automatically make it acceptable for an overseas application.

How to avoid it

Confirm the exact form and fingerprinting instructions before booking your appointment. Do not assume that because a provider offers fingerprinting, they automatically handle the card required by your overseas authority.

Not sure which fingerprinting method or card your application requires? Read the Complete Guide to Fingerprinting in Australia for an overview of fingerprinting options, cards and requirements.

A good set of fingerprints cannot fix incomplete paperwork. Depending on the application, the fingerprint card or accompanying forms may require:

• signatures,
• dates,
• consent information,
• authorisation fields, or
• other declarations.

A missing signature can turn an otherwise usable fingerprint card into an incomplete submission.

How to avoid it

Before the card leaves Australia, check every required field against the instructions provided by the receiving authority. Do not leave signatures or declarations until later unless the instructions specifically tell you to do so.

Not every fingerprint application ends with a physical card.

Some processes involve uploading identification documents, application forms or scanned supporting documents. A blurry photograph, cropped page or low-resolution scan can make otherwise correct information difficult to verify.

Common problems include:

• blurred document photos
• cropped edges
• missing pages
• unreadable text
• glare across identification documents
• scans that are too dark or too light

How to avoid it

Review every digital document at full size before uploading it. Make sure the entire document is visible and all text can be read clearly.

Globeia's mobile fingerprinting service in Australia includes:

• application-specific fingerprint cards
• face ID verification
• on-site fingerprint quality checks
• completion of required fingerprint documentation
• Letter of Identity Verification
• international submission coordination for FBI and RCMP via Globeia Inc. in the USA and Globeia Incorporated in Canada (if requested)
• international courier services

The goal is to identify and correct avoidable fingerprinting or documentation issues before the package leaves Australia.

Also read

Canadian Criminal Record Check From Australia: Mistakes That Delay RCMP Processing

Most fingerprinting delays are not caused by complicated problems. They start with something as simple as an unclear impression, incorrect personal detail or incomplete form.

For Australians submitting fingerprints to an overseas authority a little more attention to detail can prevent an avoidable second appointment and weeks of additional processing.