How Much Does Fingerprinting Cost?

Fingerprinting itself may take only 15 to 30 minutes, but the amount you ultimately pay can be much higher than the appointment fee alone. The total depends on what you need beyond fingerprint capture, such as an official fingerprint card, government processing, submission, or courier services.

The biggest pricing mistake is comparing providers based only on the fingerprinting appointment fee. A lower appointment price may not include services that your application requires, so it is important to understand exactly what is included before comparing quotes.

This guide breaks down the costs associated with fingerprinting and explains how government fees, provider services, mobile appointments, courier, and application-specific requirements can affect your final total.

For a quote based on your location and application, contact Globeia.

There is no single fingerprinting price that applies to every applicant. A basic fingerprint capture appointment, a mobile appointment, and a full FBI or RCMP submission package are different services, so their prices cannot be compared on the appointment fee alone.

Prices vary by country, city, and provider. Get a fingerprinting quote from Globeia based on your location and application type.

One of the most important distinctions to understand when comparing fingerprinting costs is the difference between the fingerprinting fee and the background-check fee:

Fingerprinting service fee - It may include the provider's charge for fingerprint capture and related appointment services, which may include the fingerprint card, identity verification, or quality checks depending on the provider.

Submission/processing fee - A separate charge for submitting or coordinating the fingerprint-based application may be required, where applicable.

Government processing fee - what the requesting authority charges to process your application. This is paid separately, directly to the authority.

The two fees are separate charges, although a provider or submission service may collect multiple charges as part of one payment.

• FBI Identity History Summary example: The FBI charges $18 USD for an Identity History Summary request. The government fee is entirely separate from any fingerprinting provider fee or channeller charge. A provider charging a service fee for capturing your prints and preparing your FD-258 card does not include the $18 FBI government fee in that price. Verify the current fee at fbi.gov.
• RCMP Criminal Record Check example: For an RCMP criminal record check, the current federal processing fee is CAD $25, although some applicants may qualify for a fee waiver. Local fingerprinting/service fees and delivery costs are separate.

Always confirm with your provider which fees are included and which are payable separately to the government authority.

A fingerprinting service fee can cover some or all of the following. However, it varies significantly from one provider to another:

Fingerprint Capturing Assistance

• Ink-and-roll fingerprint collection using rolled and flat impression techniques, as required by the requesting authority.
• On-site quality review with retakes if needed.

Official Fingerprinting Cards

• FD-258 or FD-1164 for FBI-related applications
• C-216C for RCMP applications
• FINRA-designated card for FINRA registrations
• Destination-specific cards for ACRO, AFP, and other international authorities

Identity Verification

• Government-issued ID or passport verification

• Passport detail matching against the fingerprint card
• Letter of Identity Verification (required by some authorities)

Documentation support

• Application forms and consent documentation
• Pre-submission document review

Mobile Services (If Applicable)

• Technician travel to your preferred location
• All equipment and fingerprinting materials supplied
• Usually what is included in a fingerprinting appointment
• Fingerprint capture
• Fingerprint card
• Identity verification
• Quality check
• Basic documentation review
• Mobile travel, if applicable

Additional services that may cost extra

• Submission coordination
• Government processing
• Courier
• Apostille
• Legalization
• Certified translation

Several practical factors can change the price you are quoted, from where the appointment takes place to how many applicants need fingerprinting.

Type of Application

The purpose of your fingerprinting determines the next step in the process after your prints are captured. A basic fingerprint appointment may end when the completed card is handed to you, while an FBI, RCMP, or FINRA application may require a specific card, documentation, and an approved submission route.

Mobile vs. In-Office Fingerprinting

Globeia's mobile fingerprinting service offers trained associate’s assistance, correct fingerprint card, professional equipment, and documentation requirements applicable to your specific application and location. You can search your country and select the preferred location to book a mobile international background check fingerprinting appointment.

Location

Location can affect the quote because providers may have different operating costs, appointment availability, and travel requirements in each market. For mobile appointments, the distance between the provider and your chosen location can also affect the final price.

Number of Applicants - Bulk Fingerprinting 

Corporate onboarding, FINRA team registrations, and employer background checks often involve fingerprinting collection of multiple applicants at the same location. Bulk fingerprinting appointments are usually quoted differently from individual appointments. Globeia offers corporate and bulk fingerprinting for FINRA, employment, and immigration purposes.

Destination Authority

The requesting authority can determine which fingerprint form, submission method, and supporting documents you need. For example, FINRA fingerprints follow a different submission process from an FBI Identity History Summary, while an RCMP check from outside Canada requires processing through an RCMP-accredited company in Canada.

For an FBI Identity History Summary, the amount you pay can come from several separate sources rather than one combined fingerprinting fee:

Note: The $18 FBI government fee is not included in the fingerprinting service fee. It is paid separately. For Globeia’s current FBI Background Check coordination services pricing, visit Globeia's FBI Identity History Summary service.

The total cost for an RCMP Criminal Record Check from outside Canada can include local fingerprinting, the RCMP’s federal processing fee, international delivery cost, and additional submission or coordination services you need.

The RCMP federal processing fee is CAD $25 for an applicable Criminal Record Check. This is separate from the fee charged by the fingerprinting provider for collecting your fingerprints.

The other costs depend on where you have your fingerprints taken and which services you use:

• Fingerprinting fee: Charged by the local fingerprinting provider for collecting and completing your fingerprint submission.
• RCMP processing fee: CAD $25, where applicable.
• International delivery: May apply when the original fingerprint form needs to be sent to Canada.
• Processing/submission service: May apply when an RCMP-accredited company handles digitization and submission to the RCMP.
• Additional document services: Apostille, legalization, translation, or other services may add to the total when required for your intended use.

International applicants have to follow two stages of the processes - fingerprinting collection and further RCMP processing where the card is mailed to an RCMP-accredited company in Canada for RCMP submission and processing.

The fingerprinting stage is completed locally for individuals applying for an RCMP Criminal Record Check, and the original fingerprinted form is then sent to an RCMP-accredited company in Canada for digitization and electronic submission.

Depending on the service arrangement, the applicant, fingerprinting provider, or processing company may then arrange delivery of the original form to Canada to be submitted through an RCMP-accredited company in Canada, like Globeia Incorporated.

For Globeia applicants, Globeia Incorporated's RCMP-accredited office in Canada handles the Canadian processing stage, including digitization and electronic submission to the RCMP's CCRTIS.

FINRA fingerprinting has two separate cost components: the fingerprinting provider's service fee and the fingerprint processing charge assessed through FINRA's registration system. The applicable FINRA charge also depends on whether fingerprints are submitted electronically or in hard-copy format.

What Determines the Cost of FINRA Fingerprinting?

• Fingerprinting provider: The provider may charge separately for professional fingerprint collection.
• Submission method: FINRA lists separate processing charges for electronic and hard-copy fingerprint submissions, including applicable FINRA and FBI fingerprint fees. These charges are assessed to the member firm.
• Mobile service: A mobile appointment may involve an additional travel or service charge.
• Number of applicants: Corporate or bulk appointments may be priced differently from individual appointments.
• Electronic collection: If fingerprints are collected electronically through a third-party provider, that provider may charge its own collection fee.

Important: The FINRA fingerprint processing charge is separate from any fee charged by a fingerprinting provider for collecting your fingerprints.

Who Pays the FINRA Fingerprint Processing Fee?

FINRA fingerprint processing is handled through the member firm, which submits the fingerprints and is responsible for the applicable FINRA processing charges. Whether that cost is ultimately passed on to the applicant depends on the firm's arrangement. Your fingerprinting appointment fee is a separate provider charge.

Need FINRA fingerprinting for yourself or your financial firm? Check Globeia's FINRA fingerprinting and coordination services.

Usually, mobile fingerprinting costs more than in-office appointments because the provider has to travel to your location and bring the required equipment, documents, cards, etc,. The final quote of mobile fingerprinting can also vary based on your appointment location, number of applicants, and other required services.

What can affect a mobile fingerprinting quote?

• Travel distance: Longer travel distances may increase the mobile service fee.
• Number of applicants: A corporate or group appointment may be priced differently from an individual appointment.
• Appointment location: Home, office, hotel, campus, or another eligible location may have different travel requirements.
• Fingerprinting requirements: Different applications may require different fingerprint cards, forms, or documentation.
• Additional services: Courier, document handling, apostille, legalization, or translation may be quoted separately.

When Can Mobile Fingerprinting Be Worth the Additional Fee?

Mobile fingerprinting can be useful when:

• You cannot easily travel to a fingerprinting centre.
• Several employees need to be fingerprinted at one location.
• You are staying at a hotel or temporary accommodation.
• You need international fingerprinting while living outside the requesting country.

For example, Globeia offers mobile fingerprinting services for different international applications across multiple cities and countries. A trained associate travels to your selected location with the required equipment and card to capture your fingerprints with the right fingerprinting technique. But the availability and pricing of the services depend on the location and application type.

A fingerprinting quote may cover only the appointment itself. Before booking, ask what is included in the quoted price and what will be charged separately. Here are the things you need to confirm while booking your fingerprinting appointment:

The price of fingerprinting can cover more than the appointment itself. Depending on your application, Globeia can help with everything from preparing your details and verifying your identity to checking your documents and coordinating what happens after fingerprint collection.

Here is how Globeia's fingerprinting process works:

Before Your Appointment

Globeia helps you get ready for the appointment and confirms the requirements for your specific application.

• Collects your application details through SmartForm
• Completes identity verification through SmartPortal, where required
• Checks your passport and other required identification
• Confirms the fingerprint card or form required for your specific application
• Provides a checklist of documents you need to have ready

During Your Appointment

• A trained Globeia associate collects your fingerprints using the method required for your application.
• Captures rolled and flat ink impressions, where required
• Uses the appropriate fingerprint card for the destination authority
• Checks the fingerprint impressions for clarity before completing the appointment
• Retakes unclear impressions when necessary
• Verifies the personal details recorded on the fingerprint card against your identification

Note: If you have chosen Globeia’s Mobile Fingerprinting Services, the associate will visit you at the time and location of your preference with all the required equipment and card.

After Your Appointment

What happens after fingerprint collection depends on your requesting authority and the service you have selected.

RCMP Applications

If you are applying from outside Canada, Globeia coordinates the fingerprint card submission with RCMP-accredited Globeia Incorporated in Canada for digitization and electronic submission to the RCMP.

FBI Applications

Globeia’s FBI Identity History Summary coordination services include professionally guided application preparation through SmartPortal, fingerprint and document review, submission coordination, and application tracking to delivery of the FBI Identity History Summary.

Note: Globeia Inc. in the USA is an international background check coordinator, Not an FBI-accredited channeler.  

FINRA Applications

Globeia offers professional fingerprinting for individuals as well as corporate groups who need to complete fingerprint requirements for FINRA registration. The service can include fingerprint collection, the required FINRA fingerprint card, mobile or group appointments where available.

Other International Applications

Globeia also provides fingerprinting for international employment, immigration, visa, licensing, and background check applications beyond FBI and RCMP requirements. Depending on the destination, Globeia can provide the required fingerprint form, professional collection, and related documentation support. Requirements and services vary by authority and location.

Additional Document Services: Apostille and Translations

Some international applications require more than fingerprinting. Globeia can also assist with apostille or legalization of eligible documents and certified translations when these are required by the destination authority. These are separate services and may add to the overall amount you pay for your application.

To get a quote of your specific fingerprinting requirements, contact Globeia.

The cost of fingerprinting is not determined by the appointment fee alone. The real total for an international submission may include fingerprint capture, the official authority-specific card, government processing fee, courier, submission coordination, and any optional services needed for your application.

For international applications, the right provider should make it clear what you are paying for and what happens after your fingerprints are collected.

Globeia's mobile fingerprinting service supports FBI, RCMP, FINRA, immigration, and other international fingerprinting requirements across multiple locations. Depending on your application, Globeia can assist with fingerprint collection, document preparation, identity verification, and related submission or documentation services.

Need FBI, RCMP, FINRA, or international fingerprinting? Get a quote from Globeia based on your location and application.