How to Schedule and Prepare for Your FieldPrint Appointment

What FieldPrint appointments are and how to book one

FieldPrint is the fingerprinting network operated by IDEMIA, a private company contracted by the FBI and state agencies to collect and process fingerprints. When you need fingerprints taken for a background check — whether for employment, licensing, housing, or a government position — you will likely be directed to a FieldPrint location or told to use their online scheduling system.

You can book a FieldPrint appointment in two ways: through their website at fieldprintusa.com or by calling the location directly. The website lets you search by zip code, see available time slots, and reserve a spot without talking to anyone. If you prefer to call or have questions about what documents to bring, you can find the phone number for your nearest location on the same website.

Appointments typically fill up within a few days to a week, depending on your area. If no slots are open, you can check back daily — cancellations happen regularly — or ask the location when they release their next batch of appointments.

Key Takeaways

• Book your FieldPrint appointment online at fieldprintusa.com or by phone; walk-ins are not accepted.
• Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) to your appointment.
• The fingerprinting itself takes 10 to 15 minutes, but arrive 5 to 10 minutes early to complete check-in paperwork.
• FieldPrint sends your prints directly to the agency that requested them, so you do not receive a copy to hand over yourself.
• If you are unsure which FieldPrint location to use, check the paperwork from the agency requesting your fingerprints — they often specify which vendor to use.

What to bring to your FieldPrint appointment

You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport will work. If your ID is expired, call the location before your appointment to ask whether they will accept it — policies vary slightly by location, but many will take an expired ID if it is not more than a few years old.

Bring the paperwork or email that told you to get fingerprinted. This usually includes a case number, reference number, or agency name. FieldPrint staff use this information to route your prints to the correct place. If you lost the paperwork, you can often look up your case number by calling the agency that requested the fingerprints.

Do not bring anything else unless the agency specifically asked for it. You do not need to bring money — FieldPrint is paid by the requesting agency, not by you. You do not need to bring printed forms or applications.

What happens during your appointment

When you arrive, check in at the desk and give your ID and any paperwork you have. The staff will verify your identity and pull up your appointment in their system. This takes a few minutes.

You will then be taken to a fingerprinting station, where a technician will roll each of your fingers and thumbs onto a digital scanner or ink pad. The process is quick — usually 10 to 15 minutes total. The technician will tell you how much pressure to use and how to position your hand. If the first scan does not come out clear, they will ask you to try again.

Once the scan is complete and the technician confirms the quality is acceptable, you are done. You do not sign anything or receive a receipt. FieldPrint sends your prints electronically to the agency that requested them, usually within one to three business days.

How long it takes to get results

FieldPrint typically transmits your fingerprints to the requesting agency within one to three business days of your appointment. However, the agency itself may take additional time to process the prints and return results to you. This can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the agency and the type of background check.

Some agencies, like the FBI, process prints faster than others. State and local agencies vary widely. If you have a deadline — for example, a job start date or a licensing deadline — contact the agency directly to ask how long their processing usually takes. Do not assume FieldPrint is the bottleneck; often the delay is on the agency's end.

You can contact FieldPrint to confirm your prints were received and transmitted, but they cannot tell you the status of the background check itself. That information comes from the agency that requested the fingerprints.

What to do if you miss or need to reschedule

If you miss your appointment, log back into fieldprintusa.com or call the location to book a new one. There is no penalty for missing an appointment, but you will need to schedule again. Slots fill quickly in many areas, so reschedule as soon as you know you cannot make it.

If you need to reschedule before your appointment, you can cancel online or call the location. Canceling online is faster and does not require you to speak to anyone. When you cancel, your slot opens up for someone else, and you can immediately book a new time if one is available.

Common reasons appointments are rejected or delayed

Your appointment may be delayed if your ID is expired by more than a few years, if the name on your ID does not match the name in the system, or if you do not have the case or reference number from the requesting agency. Call the location before your appointment if you think any of these might be a problem.

If your fingerprints do not scan clearly — for example, if you have very worn fingerprints, scars, or arthritis that makes it hard to position your hand — the technician will try multiple times. If the prints still will not scan, the location may ask you to come back another day or may refer you to a different location with different equipment. This is rare but can happen.

If the agency that requested your fingerprints has closed the case or no longer needs them, FieldPrint may reject your appointment. This sometimes happens if you are applying for a job and the position is filled before you get fingerprinted. Contact the agency to confirm they still need your prints before you go to your appointment.

If you cannot find a FieldPrint location near you

FieldPrint has locations in most states, but coverage is not universal. If there is no FieldPrint location within reasonable distance, check the paperwork from the agency requesting your fingerprints. They may have approved a different vendor, such as a local police department, sheriff's office, or private fingerprinting service.

Some agencies allow you to use any vendor they have approved, while others specify which one. Call the agency directly if the paperwork is unclear. They can tell you which vendors they accept and may be able to add a vendor to their approved list if you have a legitimate reason to use someone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?

FieldPrint requires an appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted. You must book online at fieldprintusa.com or call the location to reserve a time slot.

What if my fingerprints are hard to scan because of scars or worn skin?

Tell the technician when you arrive. They have techniques and equipment to handle difficult fingerprints and will try multiple times if needed. If standard scanning does not work, they may use ink and paper instead, or refer you to another location with different equipment.

Can someone else pick up my fingerprint results for me?

FieldPrint does not give results to you or anyone else. Your prints are sent electronically directly to the agency that requested them. You will receive results from that agency, not from FieldPrint.

How much does a FieldPrint appointment cost?

There is no cost to you. The agency requesting your fingerprints pays FieldPrint. You do not need to bring money or a payment method to your appointment.

What if the agency that requested my fingerprints never received them?

Contact FieldPrint to confirm your prints were transmitted. If they were sent but the agency did not receive them, ask the agency which vendor they use and whether there was a technical issue. You may need to schedule a new appointment with a different vendor or location.