Fingerprinting – Live Scan & Wet Fingerprints

Alive Scan consistently delivers highly accurate fingerprint capture services, offering both advanced live scan technology and traditional ink fingerprint card options. Our experienced fingerprint technicians use the best quality equipment to capture accurate fingerprints from even the hardest applicants. We stress this because many livescan vendors, such as postal stores, have high rejection rates which result in long delays. We recognize the urgency of completing the live scan process right “the first time” in order to start employment or for state licensing and certifications.

Live Scan Fingerprinting

Live Scan is an advanced digital fingerprinting system that securely transmits fingerprint data and background check information to the California Department of Justice (DOJ). Unlike traditional ink fingerprinting, Live Scan is faster and more accurate, making it the preferred method for background checks across the state.

What is Live Scan Used For?

Live Scan fingerprinting is required for a wide range of purposes, including:

• Employment background checks

• Professional licensing and certification

• Volunteer and nonprofit organization screening

Why Choose Live Scan?

• Fast results: Background reports are typically completed within 48 hours.

• Accurate processing: Digital submission reduces errors and delays.

• Convenient experience: No ink, no mess, and a streamlined process.

Whether you need Live Scan fingerprinting for a job, license, or volunteer role, this secure system ensures your information is transmitted quickly and reliably.

Ink Fingerprints (Hard Card)

Ink Fingerprinting is the traditional method of manually fingerprinting using black ink and a fingerprint card (sometimes referred to as “wet fingerprints”, “paper fingerprints” or “hard copy”). Fingerprint cards are typically required for out-of-state licensing and federal employment. Our experienced and trained technicians guide your hand on the ink pad and then carefully roll your prints. The FBI FD-258 Hard Card is the most popular paper card, but we also print on the FD-1164, SF-87 and state specific fingerprint cards.

NEW! Do you need multiple ink fingerprint cards? Our FBI Certified Fingerprint Scanner and Printer captures your fingerprints electronically, which then allows us to digitally print to multiple fingerprint cards. After a one-time capture of your fingerprints, we can print out as many FD-258 hard cards as you need!

FBI Channeler  – Expedited FBI Criminal Background Checks

FBI Channeler services expedite FBI Clearance Letters. The digital PDF background report is often ready for you to download within a couple hours. We simplify the process by electronically capturing your fingerprints and securely submitting everything for you. The FBI Channeling service is ideal for travel visas (study over-seas, teach abroad, or to live/work overseas). Other names for the FBI criminal history records include: IdHSC – Identity History Summary Check, eDO – Electronic Departmental Order and Clearance Letters.

Mobile Live Scan & Ink Fingerprinting in San Diego

We also provide mobile fingerprint services throughout San Diego. Do you have a group of employees, students or volunteers that need fingerprinting? Are you an individual who prefers us to come to your home or place of business? Please call us if you have any questions or to book a mobile fingerprint technician to travel onsite to your location.

Live Scan vs. Ink Fingerprinting

Live Scan is electronic fingerprinting for the purpose of criminal background checks. When applying for California employment, licensing, certification or Police Clearance letters, live scan is the fingerprint method used. Live Scan requires a secure connection to the CA Department of Justice so it’s only for California licensing and employment.

Ink Fingerprints is the “old school” method used to fingerprint via the blue “hard card”. This fingerprint method is used for federal and out-of-state purposes. The “wet fingerprinting” is typically used to run a criminal background check. Common fingerprint cards include: FD-258, SR-87 and Fd-1164 cards.

FBI Channeling expedites FBI Identity Summary History Checks. This Departmental Order (eDO) is often required for travel overseas such as teaching abroad or to view your own criminal file.

San Diego Live Scan Fingerprint Location

Our biometric fingerprint location provides easy access to and from the I-5 freeway. So whether you live in Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Clairemont, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Pt Loma, UC, UTC, Del Mar… or anywhere else in San Diego, our live scan & ink fingerprint facility is for you.