Table of Contents
- Step 1: Get Your Live Scan Request Form First
- Step 2: Know What to Bring to a Live Scan Appointment
- Step 3: Choose Where to Get Fingerprinted
- Step 4: What Happens During the Fingerprinting Session
- How Long Does Live Scan Take, From Scan to Results?
- Live Scan Fingerprint Rejection: Causes and Fixes
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 8, 2026
Step 1: Get Your Live Scan Request Form First
You cannot walk in and get fingerprinted without a form. The state agency or employer requesting your background check must give you a completed Live Scan request form before you arrive.
This form is the starting point for how to get live scan fingerprints done correctly. Without it, the technician has nothing to attach your prints to. You will be turned away.
At San Diego Live Scan, we print these forms free in our office. That saves you a trip back home if you forget yours.
Who Issues the Form (and Why You Can’t Skip It)
The requesting agency fills out the form. That could be:
- Your employer or HR department
- A licensing board for your profession
- A school district or credentialing office
- An immigration attorney handling your visa case
Each agency has its own form and its own reason for needing your prints. The technician cannot guess which agency gets your results.
What the Form Must Include Before You Arrive
Check that your form has these details filled in:
- Your full legal name and date of birth
- The requesting agency’s name and code
- The type of background check (employment, license, visa)
- Your billing information or payment method
If any field is blank, call the agency before you come in. A missing field means a rejected submission.
Step 2: Know What to Bring to a Live Scan Appointment
Bring your request form and a government-issued photo ID. That is the short answer. Most people need nothing else.
The ID must be current and unexpired. Common choices:
- State driver’s license or ID card
- U.S. passport
- Permanent resident card
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services guidance on accepted identity documents lists other valid forms of ID for immigration-related checks.
Some agencies ask for a second form of ID or a specific document number. Read your form again before you leave the house. A quick check now saves a wasted trip.
Wash and dry your hands right before you walk in. Oils, lotion, and dirt are the top reasons prints fail on the first try. This takes ten seconds and can save you a return visit.
Step 3: Choose Where to Get Fingerprinted
Pick a location that is approved for your type of check. Not every fingerprinting office handles every agency’s requests.
Here is what to look for:
- Approved status. The provider must be certified to submit to your requesting agency.
- Walk-in policy. Some offices require appointments. Others take walk-ins all day.
- Form printing. A provider that prints your form on-site removes one headache.
- Location count. More offices means more chances to find one near your home or work.
San Diego Live Scan runs five locations across San Diego County. We take walk-ins all day with no appointment needed. We have served the community since 2010.
Step 4: What Happens During the Fingerprinting Session
The session itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You sit at a digital scanner, and a technician guides each finger onto the glass plate.
Here is the flow:
- The technician scans your request form and ID
- You place each finger on the scanner, one at a time
- The system captures your prints and checks quality
- The technician re-scans any finger that did not read clearly
- You review and sign a confirmation
The machine tells the technician right away if a print is too smudged or too dry. That instant feedback is the main reason Live Scan beats ink-and-paper cards. Problems get fixed on the spot, not weeks later.
Never leave without confirming your transaction was submitted. Ask for your receipt or confirmation number. If the submission fails later, that number is how anyone traces it.
How Long Does Live Scan Take, From Scan to Results?
The scan takes minutes. The results take longer, and that wait depends on the requesting agency.
Most applicants hear back within a few days to a few weeks. Some agencies respond in 72 hours. Others take several weeks.
Why the Timeline Varies by Requesting Agency
Three things drive the wait:
- Agency workload. High-volume agencies process slower.
- Check type. A simple employment check moves faster than a full criminal history review.
- Print quality. Clean prints clear the system faster. Rejected prints restart the clock.
The provider cannot speed up an agency’s internal review. Anyone who promises a guaranteed result date is guessing. What a good provider can do is get your prints right the first time so nothing bounces back.
FBI Criminal Justice Information Services overview of the national fingerprint background check process explains how prints move through the national system after submission.
Live Scan Fingerprint Rejection: Causes and Fixes
A rejected print is not a failed background check. It just means the scanner could not read your finger clearly. This is common and fixable.
Top causes:
- Dry, cracked, or worn skin
- Moisture or lotion on the fingers
- Cuts, bandages, or calluses
- Heavy manual labor that wears down ridges
- Older age, which thins fingerprint ridges
How to Improve Your Prints Before a Rescan
Try these steps before you come back:
- Drink water in the days before your visit to hydrate your skin
- Skip lotion on the day of your appointment
- Let any cut or scrape heal if your agency allows the wait
- Ask the technician to try a different finger if one keeps failing
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix Before Rescan |
|---|---|---|
| Faint, unclear ridges | Dry or worn skin | Hydrate, skip lotion |
| Smudged captures | Oil or moisture | Wash and dry hands |
| One finger keeps failing | Cut, callus, or bandage | Use an alternate finger |
| Repeated rejections | Deeply worn ridges | Ask about alternate print methods |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment to get live scan fingerprints?
Not everywhere. Many walk-in locations accept customers throughout the day with no appointment needed, which is useful when you’re trying to meet an employer’s deadline. Call ahead or check the provider’s hours first, since some offices get busy at lunch and late afternoon. If you’re on a tight schedule, going early in the morning usually means less waiting.
What happens if my live scan fingerprint rejection comes back?
Rejection usually means the scanner couldn’t capture enough ridge detail, often because of dry skin, lotion, or small cuts. You’ll typically be asked to return for a rescan, and most providers do this at low or no extra cost within a set window. Moisturize your hands the night before and avoid lotion on the day of your appointment to improve your odds.
How long does it take to get live scan results?
The scan itself takes only a few minutes, but results depend on the requesting agency and the level of check. State-level checks often come back within a few days, while FBI background checks can take longer if anything needs manual review. Your provider submits the prints electronically, so delays usually come from the agency processing them, not the scan.
Can I get live scan fingerprints for an FBI background check or visa?
Yes. Live Scan providers handle FBI background checks and immigration-related fingerprinting alongside standard employment checks. You’ll still need the correct request form or agency identifier from whoever is requesting the check, such as your employer, licensing board, or immigration attorney. Bring that paperwork with you, since the provider can’t submit prints without it.
Background checks stall hiring, licensing, and travel plans when prints get rejected or forms go missing. San Diego Live Scan makes that process simple: walk in any day, no appointment needed, and we print your request form free in the office. With five locations across San Diego County and a team that has done this since 2010, we get your prints right the first time and keep you moving. Find a location near you and get your Live Scan done today.
