How Many Times Can You Submit Fingerprints to the FBI?

You applied for an FBI background check, and your fingerprints got rejected. If this is you, you are not alone. This happens to a lot of applicants, especially first timers. And when it happens, most people assume the worst. They think their entire application has failed and they have to start everything over from scratch.

But a fingerprint rejection is not actually a huge deal. In practice, you can resubmit your fingerprints to the FBI multiple times. Still, resubmitting is not something you want to do more than necessary. It means going through the entire FBI Background Check process again, getting fingerprinted again, paying again, and waiting again. And if you have a deadline coming up, whether it is for a job, a visa, or anything else, that extra wait can be a real problem.

So keep reading. In this blog, we will cover how many times you can resubmit your fingerprints, why rejections happen in the first place, how to avoid them, and how Globeia can help you get your fingerprints accepted on the first try itself.

There is no fixed number that limits how many times you can submit fingerprints to the FBI. You will not be blocked or flagged for submitting more than once. Most people never need more than one or two tries, but if your prints keep getting rejected, you can keep submitting new sets.

Every submission to the FBI goes through a quality check, and prints are only rejected when they cannot be read clearly enough to confirm identity. So the real question is not "how many times can I submit" but "what do I do each time a submission comes back rejected."

Why Would You Need to Resubmit Fingerprints?

Most resubmissions happen for one simple reason, your first set did not meet the FBI's quality standard. Below are some of the most common causes:

• Smudged, faint, or unclear ridge lines caused by improper rolling.
• Worn down or very smooth fingertips, common in people who work with their hands often.
• Dry skin, calluses, scars, or cuts that make ridges hard to capture.
• Incorrect or incomplete personal information on the form.
• Using the wrong fingerprint card type for your request.

Check Out FBI Background Check FAQ 2026: Everything You Need to Know for Visas, Immigration & Employment

How Many Times Can You Resubmit If Fingerprints Keep Getting Rejected?

There is no cap on the number of times you can resubmit. You are allowed to keep trying until you get a clear, usable set of prints. But this is what actually happens in practice:

• Most people succeed within one or two resubmissions.
• Each new agency or technician may capture your prints slightly differently, so trying a different location can help if the same spot keeps producing weak results.
• Some third party vendors offer one free resubmission within a set window, usually around 30 days, after an image quality rejection. After that window, you may need to pay the fee again.
• Regulated industries, such as FINRA-registered firms, follow a stricter process where a firm can be asked to submit up to three sets. But only one set at a time, and only after receiving the FBI's response on the previous set.

You can keep resubmitting as many times as needed, but each new attempt usually comes with its own fee and its own processing time.

What If Your Fingerprints Are Never Accepted?

In rare cases, a person's fingerprints simply cannot be captured clearly, no matter how many times they try. According to the FBI, if your fingerprints are continuously rejected, you should have multiple sets taken again, ideally by a trained fingerprinting technician. Because a skilled technician can often capture a cleaner roll than a first attempt at a police station or print shop. All fingerprint cards should then be mailed to the FBI together with your request.

The FBI does not offer a name check as a substitute for a rejected FBI background check request. A name check, where your identity is confirmed without fingerprints, is only available in specific alternate situations, not for a standard personal rap sheet request. So for FBI Identity History Summary checks, fingerprints remain the required path.

If your prints still cannot be processed after repeated genuine attempts, many agencies and employers will accept a formal letter from the FBI stating that the fingerprints could not be classified. This letter is sometimes treated as valid documentation on its own, allowing the background check process to move forward through an alternate method of identity verification.

When Can a Name Based Check Replace a Fingerprint Submission?

Fingerprints remain the only way to complete an FBI background check. But there is one specific situation where a name based check can step in, and that is within the FINRA registration process for financial firms.

When a firm applies for FINRA compliance on behalf of an employee, it must submit that person's fingerprints to the FBI. If those fingerprints keep coming back as illegible, an alternate path called an FBI CJIS Biographical Verification, more commonly known as a Name Check, can be triggered instead.

This is not something a firm can request whenever it wants. It only kicks in once a strict set of conditions is met:

• Three Illegible Submissions in a Row - The firm must submit fingerprints, and the FBI must return an illegible or ILEG result, three separate times for the same applicant.
• No Manual Request Needed - Once that third illegible result is logged in the CRD (Central Registration Depository), the FINRA Document Services Team automatically starts the Name Check request with the FBI. The firm does not need to fill out any extra form or file anything again.
• No Added Cost - There is no additional fee for this process, so the applicant or firm is not charged extra for moving to a Name Check.

This option exists specifically to stop applicants from getting stuck in an endless loop of rejected fingerprints. If someone genuinely cannot produce a readable set of prints after three honest attempts, the system shifts to confirming their identity another way instead of asking for a fourth or fifth submission.

This pathway is specific to FINRA registered firms and their compliance process. It does not apply to personal Identity History Summary requests made directly to the FBI, where fingerprints are still required and no name based alternative is offered

When you apply for an FBI fingerprint background check, your fingerprints go through a quality check before the FBI can process your request. If they do not meet the required standard, your submission gets returned instead of processed.

This is what that process actually looks like, step by step.

Step 1: The FBI Reviews Your Submission

Once your fingerprint card and request reach the FBI, they check the print quality and the accuracy of your form details before moving forward with processing.

Step 2: A Rejection Notice is Issued

If the fingerprints cannot be read clearly, or if the form has missing or incorrect information, the FBI does not process the request. Instead, they send back a rejection notice explaining the issue.

Step 3: You Review the Reason for Rejection

Common reasons include smudged or faint prints, worn ridges, incomplete personal details, a missing signature, or an outdated card format. Knowing the exact reason helps you fix it properly the second time around.

Step 4: You Get Fingerprinted Again

You will need a fresh set of prints, not a touched up version of the old ones. You should use a trained technician this time, since they are more likely to capture a clean, complete set on the first try.

Step 5: You Resubmit the Request

Your new fingerprint card is sent to the FBI along with a fresh copy of the applicant information form and, if applicable, a copy of the original rejection notice. Some providers also ask for a small additional fee at this stage.

Step 6: The FBI Processes the New Submission

This is treated as a new request, so your case goes back into the regular processing queue. Results are usually returned in a similar timeframe as the first attempt, though it does mean starting the wait over again.

Step 7: If Rejected Again, You Keep Resubmitting

There is no fixed limit on how many times you can go through this cycle for a personal FBI Identity History Summary request. You are expected to keep submitting fresh, properly taken prints until one set is accepted.

Step 8: If Prints Are Never Accepted, Alternate Proof May Apply

In rare cases where fingerprints genuinely cannot be captured clearly no matter how many attempts are made, the FBI or the agency involved may issue a formal letter confirming this.

Things to Remember While You Are Resubmitting Fingerprints

• Each new submission usually means a new processing fee, not a free retry.
• Resubmitting restarts your entire application from scratch, including the wait time.
• A rejected fingerprint card cannot be reused. You need a completely fresh set of prints.
• The FBI no longer returns the old rejected cards. So keep copies of your rejection notice and forms for your own records.
• Any mistake on your form, like a wrong date of birth or missing signature, will cause a rejection even if your prints are perfect.
• Keep your rejection notice safe. Some providers ask for a copy of it when you resubmit.

A rejection is not a rare or alarming event. It usually just means the print quality was not clear enough for the FBI's system to confirm identity with certainty, and the fix is almost always a cleaner second set of prints.

• Wash and dry your hands before your appointment. Oily or sweaty skin is one of the most common reasons prints come out smudged.
• Avoid lotion right before fingerprinting. Moisturized hands may feel nice, but they blur ridge detail on the scan or card.
• Choose a trained technician over doing it yourself. A person experienced in rolling prints knows how to apply the right pressure and angle, which makes a big difference in clarity.
• Use the correct FBI fingerprint form. FD-258 and FD-1164 cards are the only ones usually accepted by the FBI.
• Fill out your form carefully and completely. Small errors like a wrong date of birth, missing signature, or mismatched name are enough to cause a rejection.
• Let the technician control your hand during rolling. Many rejections happen because the applicant tenses up or tries to help, which affects how the print rolls.
• Mention any scars, cuts, or skin conditions beforehand. A technician can adjust their technique slightly to get a better capture around problem areas.
• Keep your fingers slightly relaxed, not overly dry or overly damp. Extremely dry skin loses ridge visibility, so a small amount of natural moisture actually helps.
• Print and bring an extra card if submitting by mail. Having a backup on hand means you are not starting completely from zero if the first one is rejected.

Globeia offers FBI background check support services, so you can apply for your Identity History Summary from anywhere in the world without worrying about rejected fingerprints. This is how the process is made simple.

Over 10 Years of Expertise: Globeia has spent over a decade helping applicants complete FBI background checks correctly the first time.

Doorstep Fingerprinting Services: You do not have to risk rolling your own fingerprints. Globeia can send a trained fingerprinting associate directly to your doorstep.

FBI Compliant Cards Included: You do not need to download or source any fingerprint cards yourself. Associates carry both FD-258 and FD-1164 cards, which are approved and accepted by the FBI without issues.

Highly Trained Associates: Every fingerprinting associate is trained and experienced with the FBI's submission standards, so your prints are captured professionally every time.

On Site Quality Checks: After capturing your prints, each card goes through a strict on site review for ridge clarity and completeness. If any issue is spotted, prints are retaken immediately during the same appointment.

The entire process is completely digital. You can book your fingerprinting appointment in just two minutes through our online portal, and let us handle the rest. Start here!

If your first set gets rejected, do not panic. Take it as a sign to be more careful the second time around. Go to a trained technician, use the right card, fill out your form properly, and you are very likely to get it right on the next attempt.

The one thing you do want to avoid is treating resubmission as your backup plan from the start. Every extra round costs you time, money, and patience, especially when you are working against a deadline. That is why getting it right the first time should be your priority.