How to Get FINRA Fingerprinting in Singapore: Complete Guide (2026)

No one in Singapore’s finance sector has a blank space on their calendar marked "fingerprinting." The reality is that compliance steps like this have to slot into an already packed schedule, between trading hours, team calls, and everything else that can't be pushed.

That's the mindset that shapes a good fingerprinting experience: fast without being rushed, precise without being fussy, and done right the first time so there's nothing to redo. The process should feel like a clean checkbox. This blog breaks down exactly how to make that happen if you’re getting FINRA fingerprinting in Singapore.

The FINRA Fingerprint Program is part of the registration process for many individuals associated with FINRA member firms. Your fingerprints are used to conduct a background check, and the results are reviewed as part of your registration.

So, here’s what happens. Whenever a financial professional joins a FINRA-member firm, the firm files a Form U4 (Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration). As part of that filing, your fingerprints can be captured locally.

Important Information for the Applicants in Singapore

This program is separate from any Criminal Record Check or Certificate of Clearance you might have obtained in Singapore. FINRA requires fingerprints to be submitted through its Fingerprint Program in accordance with its procedures. An immigration clearance or a COC from the Singapore Police Force cannot be substituted.

Check FINRA background check process.

Your sponsoring firm will tell you if you need fingerprinting, but the requirement itself comes from U.S. securities law, and it covers a wide range of roles.

Any partner, director, officer, or employee of a FINRA-member firm must be fingerprinted unless they fall into a set of exemptions.

In practice, this means the majority of finance professionals in Singapore who join a U.S.-registered broker-dealer will need fingerprints taken. The general rule is that associated persons must be fingerprinted unless they qualify for one of the limited exemptions.

As per FINRA, the exemption applies only to employees who meet all three of these conditions:

• They do not sell securities.
• They do not regularly have access to the keeping, handling, or processing of securities, monies, or the original books and records relating to those securities or monies.
• They do not have direct supervisory responsibility over anyone who does sell securities or who has that kind of access.

If any one of those three does describe your role, the exemption does not apply to you. That is why most professionals in client-facing, operational, compliance, or management positions are asked to complete fingerprinting.

Even a back-office role can be captured if your job involves touching settlement funds, trade records, or original books and records. When in doubt, let your firm's compliance team make the call.

Yes, absolutely. FINRA does not require fingerprints to be taken in the United States. What matters is that the fingerprints are captured according to their quality standards and then submitted through the proper channel by your sponsoring firm.

FINRA Fingerprinting Program Requirements

Here’s a quick checklist covering what’s required for a successful submission.

Unlike some U.S. cities, Singapore does not have dedicated FINRA fingerprinting centres. The most logical option is to find a fingerprinting provider that understands FINRA's requirements and can capture fingerprints on the correct fingerprint card with sufficient quality.

When choosing a provider, look for the following:

• Experience with FINRA fingerprinting and other U.S. regulatory fingerprint requirements.
• Ability to capture fingerprints on FINRA-compliant hardcopy fingerprint cards for applicants outside the United States.
• Strict identity verification using a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Careful review of each fingerprint to reduce the risk of rejection due to poor image quality.
• Clear guidance on handling the completed fingerprint cards. 

Note: FINRA requires firms to submit fingerprints through its Fingerprint Program; individuals should follow their firm's instructions.

Mobile FINRA Fingerprinting with Globeia

To save you travelling to a fingerprinting office, Globeia Singapore offers a convenient option. Our trained associate can come to your home, workplace, or another agreed location to collect your fingerprints on FINRA-compliant fingerprint cards.

Mobile fingerprinting can be particularly useful for:

• Busy finance professionals.
• Corporate teams those requiring onsite fingerprinting.
• Applicants with limited time to visit a fingerprinting location.
• Individuals who prefer the convenience of an appointment at their chosen location.

Mobile FINRA Fingerprinting Across Singapore

Need fingerprinting at another location? If your area isn't listed above, contact Globeia before booking.

The FINRA fingerprinting process begins with your sponsoring firm and ends with the FBI completing a criminal history record check. Here's what you can expect if you're completing your fingerprints in Singapore.

Step 1: Your Sponsoring Firm Initiates the Registration

The process begins when your sponsoring FINRA member firm files your registration through FINRA's Central Registration Depository (CRD) by submitting Form U4. Once the registration is filed, FINRA requires fingerprints to be submitted within the applicable timeframe.

For applicants in Singapore, it's advisable to plan ahead. Since fingerprints are collected outside the United States, you'll need to:

• Schedule an appointment with a provider experienced in FINRA-compliant fingerprinting
• Allow sufficient time for international handling

Step 2: Fingerprint Collection

• A trained fingerprinting provider collects your fingerprints on a FINRA-compliant hardcopy fingerprint card that meets quality standards.
• During your appointment, you'll also need to present a valid government-issued photo ID so your identity can be verified before your fingerprints are taken.

Step 3: The Fingerprint Card Is Submitted Through FINRA's International Process

Your sponsoring firm will advise you on how the fingerprint card should be returned and submitted. For cards collected outside the United States and its territories, the hardcopy is sent to FINRA Document Services.

Step 4: Processing and Status Update

• Once the fingerprints have been processed by Sterling, the FBI conducts the required criminal history record check and returns the results to FINRA.
• FINRA then updates the registration status in the CRD system, allowing your sponsoring firm to review the outcome.

If the fingerprints are accepted, your registration can continue through the normal process. If they are rejected because the fingerprint quality does not meet FBI standards, your sponsoring firm will arrange for a new set of fingerprints to be submitted.

No. Under FINRA requirements, hardcopy fingerprint cards collected outside the U.S. or its territories cannot be submitted electronically. The hardcopy card must be sent to FINRA Document Services, which forwards it to FINRA's designated fingerprint processing provider (currently Sterling) for electronic processing and FBI submission.

FINRA Fingerprinting Within the US vs Outside the US

A lot of professionals in Singapore come to Globeia because they want someone who's done this thousands of times before, and who won't rush through the details. This is what it means to trust us:

• We've spent more than 10 years supporting international fingerprinting and cross-border documentation.
• More than 30,000 people across over 100 countries have used Globeia which has earned us a 4.9-star Google rating.
• We conduct an on-the-spot quality check for each fingerprint card before the appointment ends.
• You receive a Letter of Identity verification after each fingerprinting appointment. This is a Globeia-issued document.

The challenge with traditional fingerprinting centres is that you have to work around their schedule and location. And that becomes even more complicated when the requirement is for more than 10-20 professionals. That’s why for businesses in Singapore, mobile fingerprinting services have become a practical solution. It brings the fingerprinting service directly to your workplace.

How Globeia Helps

Globeia provides mobile FINRA fingerprinting for corporate teams across Singapore, allowing multiple employees to complete the process during a single scheduled visit. We have the capabilities to accommodate teams of 10 to large corporate rollouts of 1,000+ employees.

Benefits of Onsite Group Fingerprinting

• Technicians travel to your office or preferred business location.
• Multiple employees can be fingerprinted during one appointment.
• Less employee travel and downtime.
• Flexible scheduling to minimise business disruption.
• A consistent fingerprinting process for all team members.

Whether you're onboarding a small team or coordinating fingerprinting for a larger intake, onsite appointments can simplify the process.

If your sponsoring firm has asked you to complete FINRA fingerprinting, you're already well on your way through the registration process. The next step is simply ensuring your fingerprints are captured correctly and submitted through the appropriate international process.

With the right preparation and an experienced fingerprinting provider, you can complete this requirement confidently and focus on the next stage of your FINRA registration.

Book your FINRA Fingerprinting Appointment in Singapore with Globeia