Finding a Fingerprint Appointment Near You

How to find a fingerprint location in your area

The fastest way to find a fingerprint appointment near you is to search the IdentoGO location finder on their website — you enter your zip code and it shows you every service center within a set distance, their hours, and whether they're currently booking. If IdentoGO doesn't serve your area, your state's law enforcement agency or your county sheriff's office runs fingerprinting directly, and their website will list locations and phone numbers.

Many people assume they need to go to a police station, but most fingerprinting for background checks happens at dedicated service centers, not police departments. IdentoGO operates in most states and handles fingerprints for employment, licensing, and background checks. If you're fingerprinting for a specific purpose — a teaching license, security clearance, or court order — that agency may have a list of approved locations, and you should check there first before searching broadly.

Call ahead before you go. Even if a location shows as open online, staffing changes and equipment issues can close it without warning. A two-minute call confirms they're taking walk-ins or whether you need an appointment, and whether they handle the type of fingerprinting you need.

Key Takeaways

• IdentoGO's location finder on their website is the fastest way to see service centers near you, their hours, and appointment availability.
• If IdentoGO doesn't serve your area, your state law enforcement agency or county sheriff's office runs fingerprinting and lists locations on their website.
• Call the location before you go to confirm they're open, they handle your type of fingerprinting, and whether you need an appointment or can walk in.
• Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and know which agency requested your fingerprints, because some locations need that information before you arrive.
• Costs vary by location and purpose — some are free for certain background checks, while others charge a fee that ranges from $10 to $50.

What to bring to your fingerprint appointment

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The technician needs to verify your identity before they fingerprint you, and they will not accept expired IDs, school IDs, or documents without a photo. If you've changed your name since your ID was issued, bring both your current ID and a document showing the name change, like a marriage certificate or court order.

Have the name and contact information of the agency that requested your fingerprints. This might be a school district, employer, licensing board, or court. The fingerprinting location needs to know where to send your results, and some require you to provide that information on a form before they start. If you're unsure which agency to list, check your job offer letter, license application, or court paperwork.

Bring cash or a card if there's a fee. Most IdentoGO locations accept both, but some county sheriff offices take cash only. Fees are not standard — they depend on your location and the type of fingerprinting. Some background checks for employment are free, while others cost $15 to $50. Ask when you call to confirm the amount.

Walk-in versus appointment: which is faster

IdentoGO locations vary — some take walk-ins and some require appointments. The location finder tells you which policy applies to each center. If you have a choice, an appointment is usually faster because you skip the wait, but walk-ins are often possible if you're willing to wait 15 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the location is.

If you book an appointment, arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. The actual fingerprinting takes about 10 minutes, but the check-in and ID verification add another 5 to 10 minutes. If you're late, some locations will reschedule you rather than rush through the process, so plan for travel time and traffic.

Walk-in times are longest on weekday mornings and shortest on late afternoons or early evenings. If you have flexibility, going on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon usually means a shorter wait than a Monday morning or Friday.

How long fingerprinting takes and when you'll get results

The fingerprinting itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. The technician will roll each of your fingers on a scanner or ink pad, take a photo of your palm prints if needed, and verify the images are clear. If a finger doesn't scan well, they'll try again. Once they're satisfied, you're done.

Getting your results is different from getting fingerprinted. The location sends your fingerprints electronically to the FBI and your state's law enforcement agency, and those agencies run the background check. That process takes 1 to 3 weeks in most cases, though some results come back in a few days and others take longer if there's a name match that needs investigation. The agency that requested your fingerprints — your employer, school, or licensing board — receives the results, not you directly.

Ask the fingerprinting location for a receipt showing the date and time you were fingerprinted. If your results take longer than expected, you can use that receipt to prove you completed the requirement on time. Some employers and schools have deadlines, and the receipt shows you met yours even if the background check is still processing.

What to do if there's no IdentoGO location near you

If IdentoGO doesn't serve your area, your state law enforcement agency or your county sheriff's office provides fingerprinting. Search "[your state] law enforcement fingerprinting" or "[your county] sheriff fingerprinting" to find their website and phone number. They will tell you where to go, what hours they're open, and what to bring.

Some states run fingerprinting through the state police, others through the state bureau of investigation, and some through county sheriffs. The name varies, but the process is the same. Call the main number and ask for the fingerprinting unit — they handle these calls constantly and will direct you to the right location in minutes.

If you're fingerprinting for a federal job, security clearance, or court order, the agency requesting your fingerprints may have a list of approved locations. Check your paperwork or the agency's website first, because some federal processes require fingerprinting at specific locations.

Costs and whether you'll pay at the location

Fingerprinting costs vary widely. Some background checks for employment or volunteer work are free, while others cost $15 to $50 depending on your state and the type of check. Court-ordered fingerprinting is sometimes free and sometimes charged to the person being fingerprinted. Ask when you call to schedule or walk in.

Payment happens at the location before or after fingerprinting, depending on the center. Most IdentoGO locations take cards and cash. County sheriff offices are more likely to take cash only, so bring both if you're unsure. If cost is a barrier, ask whether the agency requesting your fingerprints covers the fee — some employers and schools do.

What happens if your fingerprints don't scan clearly

If your fingerprints don't scan well the first time, the technician will try again. Dry skin, scars, or worn fingerprints can make scanning harder, but the technician has techniques to work around this — they may use lotion, adjust the scanner, or try ink and paper instead of digital scanning. Most people get a clear scan on the second or third try.

If the technician cannot get a clear scan after several attempts, they will document that and send what they have to the FBI and your state agency. Those agencies may request you come back for a second attempt, or they may proceed with a manual review. This is rare, but if it happens, the agency that requested your fingerprints will contact you with next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a fingerprint appointment the same day?

Some IdentoGO locations and sheriff offices take walk-ins and can fingerprint you the same day, but it depends on how busy they are. Call ahead to ask whether they're accepting walk-ins and what the current wait time is. If you need fingerprinting urgently, calling first saves you a wasted trip.

What if I have a criminal record — will they still fingerprint me?

Yes. Fingerprinting locations do not judge or refuse based on your history. Their job is to take your fingerprints and send them to the FBI and state agencies, who run the background check. The background check results go to the agency that requested them, not to the fingerprinting location.

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

It depends on the location. Use the IdentoGO location finder to see whether your nearest center takes appointments, walk-ins, or both. If you're going to a county sheriff office, call first because policies vary by county. Walk-ins usually mean a wait, but appointments may provide a time slot.

What if I move before my fingerprints are processed?

Your fingerprints go to the FBI and your state agency, and the results go to the employer, school, or agency that requested them — not to you. You don't need to update your address with the fingerprinting location. If the requesting agency needs to reach you, they have your contact information from your application.

Can someone else pick up my fingerprint results?

No. Results go directly to the agency that requested your fingerprints, not to you. You don't pick them up anywhere. The employer, school, or licensing board receives the background check results and tells you whether you passed. If you need proof that you were fingerprinted, ask for a receipt at the location when you go.