How to Schedule and Prepare for Your IdentoGO Fingerprinting Appointment

Book your IdentoGO appointment online or by phone, and bring a valid ID and any required documents on the day

IdentoGO is a fingerprinting service run by Idemia, a private company contracted by states and federal agencies to collect background check fingerprints. You schedule your own appointment through their website or phone line — there is no waiting list or lottery. The appointment itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will be fingerprinted digitally, and your prints are sent directly to the agency that requested them (your state police, the FBI, a licensing board, or an employer).

The main thing that trips people up is showing up without the right ID or without knowing which IdentoGO location serves your area. IdentoGO has hundreds of locations across the United States, but not in every town. You need to find your nearest one before you can book.

Key Takeaways

• Find your nearest IdentoGO location and check its hours on the IdentoGO website before you attempt to book.
• You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card — to your appointment.
• Book your appointment online at identogo.com or by calling 1-844-469-8378; same-day walk-ins are not may provide.
• Bring any documents the agency that ordered your fingerprints told you to bring, such as a case number or authorization letter.
• Arrive 10 minutes early and expect the fingerprinting itself to take 10 to 15 minutes.

Finding your nearest IdentoGO location

Go to identogo.com and use the location finder on the home page. Enter your city or zip code. The map will show you all IdentoGO sites within a reasonable distance, along with their hours and whether they are currently open.

Some locations are inside UPS stores, some are in dedicated IdentoGO offices, and some are in other retail spaces. The location matters because hours vary widely — some are open early morning, some close by mid-afternoon, and some are closed on weekends. Write down the address and hours of the location you plan to use before you book.

If no location appears near you, call 1-844-469-8378 and ask whether IdentoGO serves your area. Some rural counties do not have a location, and you may need to travel or use a different fingerprinting vendor.

What ID you need to bring

You must bring one valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. A military ID also works. A school ID, library card, or work badge does not.

The ID must not be expired. If your ID expired more than a few years ago, bring it anyway — IdentoGO staff can sometimes work with you — but do not count on it. If you do not have a valid photo ID, you cannot be fingerprinted that day. You would need to get a state ID or driver's license first, which requires a separate trip to your DMV.

Bring the original ID, not a photocopy. IdentoGO staff will look at it and hand it back to you.

Documents to bring beyond your ID

The agency that ordered your fingerprints may have sent you a letter, email, or case number. Bring whatever paperwork came with your fingerprinting request — a job offer letter, a court order, a licensing board notice, or an authorization form. IdentoGO staff use these documents to confirm which agency your prints should go to and to make sure you are the right person.

If you do not have any paperwork, bring the name of the agency or employer that requested your fingerprints. You should know this already — your employer, a licensing board, or a court told you to get fingerprinted. If you are not sure who ordered them, contact that person or organisation before your appointment.

Do not bring originals of documents you cannot replace (like a birth certificate or passport). Bring copies or the paperwork that came with your fingerprinting request.

How to book your appointment

Go to identogo.com, select your location from the map, and choose a date and time that works for you. You will be asked to enter your name, date of birth, and the reason for your fingerprinting (background check, employment, licensing, etc.). You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details.

If you prefer to book by phone, call 1-844-469-8378. A representative will help you find a location and time. You do not need to pay anything to book — fingerprinting fees are usually paid at the appointment or billed to the agency that ordered the prints.

Book as soon as you know you need fingerprints. Some locations fill up weeks in advance, especially in urban areas. If your appointment is more than a few weeks away, you can cancel and rebook if your plans change.

What happens at your appointment

Arrive 10 minutes early. Check in at the front desk and give your name. A technician will call you back, verify your ID and your appointment details, and ask you to sit at a digital fingerprinting scanner. You will place each finger on the scanner one at a time. The machine captures a digital image of each print.

The whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes. The technician will tell you if any prints did not scan clearly and may ask you to try again. Once all 10 fingers are scanned successfully, you are done. You do not receive a copy of your prints — they are sent electronically to the agency that ordered them.

Ask the technician how long it will take for your prints to reach the agency. This varies by agency, but usually takes one to three weeks. If the agency needs them faster, ask whether they can expedite.

What to do if you cannot make your appointment

Cancel through the IdentoGO website or by calling 1-844-469-8378. Cancelling frees up the slot for someone else and lets you rebook at a different time if you need to.

If you miss your appointment without cancelling, you may have to wait longer to get another slot at that location. Some locations will let you walk in and wait, but this is not may provide. It is faster and more reliable to book ahead.

If you need to reschedule because of a genuine emergency, call the location directly or use the website to cancel and rebook. Most locations are flexible about moving appointments if you give them notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring anything besides my ID?

Bring your ID and any paperwork that came with your fingerprinting request — a job offer, court order, or authorization letter. If you do not have paperwork, know the name of the agency or employer that ordered your prints. You do not need to bring money; fees are paid at the appointment or billed to the requesting agency.

What if my ID is expired?

Bring it anyway and explain the situation to the technician. Some locations will work with you, but an expired ID may delay or prevent your appointment. If your ID expired years ago, get a replacement from your state DMV before your IdentoGO appointment.

How long does it take for my fingerprints to reach the agency?

Usually one to three weeks. Ask the technician at your appointment for a specific timeline. If the agency needs them faster, ask whether expedited processing is available and what it costs.

Can I walk in without an appointment?

Some locations accept walk-ins, but it is not may provide. Booking ahead online or by phone ensures you have a time slot and do not have to wait. If you need same-day fingerprinting, call your nearest location first to ask whether they take walk-ins.

What if I go to the wrong IdentoGO location?

Call the location you booked and ask whether they can transfer your appointment to the correct one, or cancel and rebook at the right location. It is faster to get this right before you show up.