How Long Does Fingerprinting Take

People need fingerprinting for various reasons, like employment background checks, immigration and visa applications, professional licensing, firearm purchases, volunteer work with children, or adoption approvals. The fingerprinting appointment itself takes roughly the same time no matter the purpose. You sit down, get your prints scanned or rolled, and you are done. That part does not change based on why you are there. But there are a few ways you can make this process faster and smoother, so you are not stuck waiting around longer than you need to.

Average Fingerprinting Time at a Glance

Type of Fingerprinting (Ink and Roll vs Live Scan)

The method used to take your fingerprints has a big effect on your total time.

Live Scan uses a digital scanner instead of ink. Your finger is placed on a glass scanner, and the image is captured on a screen right away. The system checks the print quality on the spot, so if something is unclear, the technician can ask for a retake immediately.

Ink and Roll is the manual method. Your fingers are rolled in ink and pressed onto a paper card by hand. This takes longer because the technician has to prepare the ink pad, roll each finger carefully, then clean your fingers and fill out the card by hand.

Where You Get Fingerprinted

The location you choose affects mostly your wait time, not the actual fingerprinting process.

• Police Stations: These are usually free or low cost, but they can have long waits since fingerprinting is not their main job. You may need to wait behind other police business.
• Private Agencies (such as notary offices or physical fingerprinting centers): They tend to be faster, since fingerprinting is their main service. Many also let you book a specific time slot in advance.
• Mobile Fingerprinting Services: Associates come to your home or office. This removes travel time and waiting room time, but you usually need to book these a few days ahead.

Check How to Prepare for Your Mobile Fingerprinting Appointment?

Quality of the Print or Number of Attempts Needed

Even with the right method and location, the biggest wildcard is your actual print quality. Some people naturally take longer to fingerprint than others, through no fault of their own.

Common reasons a print might need to be retaken include:

• Fingers that are too dry, sweaty, calloused, or excessively wrinkled to scan clearly.
• Cuts, scars, injuries, or worn ridges on the fingertips.
• Not pressing or rolling the finger correctly during capture.
• Dirt, lotion, grease, or ink residue on the fingers at the time of scanning.

Check below what you can expect at any fingerprinting appointment, along with how long it usually takes.

Step 1: Check-In and ID Verification

When you arrive, you will be asked for your name, appointment time, and a government issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. The technician will verify that your documents are valid and check them against your appointment or request form. If you booked online, you may also show a confirmation email or QR code.

Expected time: 5 to 10 minutes

Step 2: Fingerprint Scanning or Rolling Process

Once your identity is confirmed, you will be guided to the fingerprinting station. With live scan, you place each finger on a glass scanner one at a time. The technician captures high resolution images of all ten fingers, and sometimes rolled impressions too.

The scanner shows the image on a screen right away, so both you and the technician can see if it came out clear. With ink and roll, the technician applies ink to each finger and rolls it onto a paper card by hand.

Expected time: 5 to 10 minutes for live scan, 10 to 15 minutes for ink and roll

Step 3: Review and Retakes

Before you leave, the technician checks the quality of your prints. If any ridge detail is unclear, you may be asked to reposition your finger and scan it again. This is common and nothing to worry about.

Expected time: 2 to 10 minutes, depending on how many fingers need a retake

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Most delays at a fingerprinting appointment come down to a few small and avoidable things. This is what you can do before you go, so your visit is quick:

Bring Completed Paperwork

Many fingerprinting locations need a specific request form from the agency asking for your background check. Before you go, make sure you have the request form from your employer, licensing board, or agency, filled out completely. Some other required documents include:

• Government issued photo ID (not expired, and not a photo or photocopy.)
• A second form of ID if your location asks for one.
• Payment method accepted by that location.
• Any confirmation email or appointment number, if you booked online.
• Showing up with everything already filled out means the staff can skip straight to your fingerprints.

How to Prep Your Hands

• Drink plenty of water the day before, since dry skin is a top reason fingerprinting slows down.
• Start moisturizing your hands about 5 to 7 days before your appointment, and let your hands rest as much as possible during that time.
• Avoid using lotion on the actual day of your appointment, since it can interfere with the scanner.
• If you have any small cuts or scrapes on your fingertips, try to schedule your appointment after they have healed.
• If your work involves things like heavy typing, weightlifting, or playing an instrument, try to rest your hands in the days leading up to your appointment.
• These activities can wear down the ridges on your fingertips.

Booking Tips

• When and where you book your appointment also affects your total time.
• Book online in advance rather than walking in.
• Choose midweek mornings over weekends or lunchtime hours.
• Try to book your appointment 2 to 3 weeks ahead of when you actually need your results. This will leave you buffer time in case anything needs to be redone.
• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so you have time to double check your paperwork before your slot begins.

Best Times of Year (or Week) to Book to Avoid Delays

Put together, a little preparation, mainly having your paperwork ready and your hands in good condition, can turn a 30 minute appointment into one that takes closer to 15.

Most fingerprinting appointments are over before you know it, especially if you show up with your paperwork ready and your hands in decent shape. The waiting and uncertainty people worry about usually has more to do with what happens after the appointment, not the 10 or 15 minutes spent at the scanner. So the next time fingerprinting is on your to do list, there is no need to dread it.