Fingerprint FAQs

The difference is the way the fingerprints are submitted.

Live Scan Electronic Fingerprints are captured by scanning fingerprints into a digital format that can be transmitted electronically to the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) or the FBI.

Live Scan Fingerprint Cards are captured by scanning fingerprints into a digital format, printed on a fingerprint card, and then submitted by mailing the card(s) to the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), an out of state agency, or to the FBI.

You have the right to refuse your social security number or any other information, but we do not recommend it. All UtahFAST employees/staff are fingerprint background checked and have extensive training regarding handling your Personal Identifiable Information (PII). We also have a secure connection to submit your data.

If you choose not to include your social security number or any other information and it creates any problems or delays in processing your fingerprints to verify your identity the Utah FAST “Worry Free Acceptance Guarantee” is voided and you will have to pay any additional costs associated to resubmit new fingerprints.

Fingerprints don’t change but criminal history records do.

The new fingerprints are being used to check to make sure you have not committed any disqualifying crimes since the last time you completed the process.

Fingerprint Cards are generally good for three to six months. Some states or agencies may allow up to twelve months. You will want to check with your employer or licensing board for clarification on their requirements.

We provide a free service that, with your approval, can store your information and fingerprints for easy future use.

This information is stored locally on our device. It is NOT stored online or on a cloud-based platform. All records are kept secure and cannot be accessed by unauthorized individuals. We NEVER sell, trade, or exchange your personal information other than for the fingerprint background check service that we complete on your behalf.

This is only available for fingerprints obtained for our “Print To Card” and “Card Scan” services. If your fingerprints were submitted to the FBI to obtain a Background Check (Identity History Summary) the file is deleted 30 days after it was submitted per federal law.

If you needed the hard cards to submit to the FBI or state agency in Utah or another state the fingerprint cards must be mailed for processing. Check with your employer or agency requesting the fingerprints if they mail them or if you have to mail them and what the address is where they need to be mailed to.

The FBI Background Check known as an Identity History Summary Check shows an individual’s arrest record or shows that an individual does not have an arrest record.

If you have a criminal history record, you have the opportunity to complete or challenge the accuracy of the information in the record. You should be afforded a reasonable amount of time to correct or complete the record. The procedures for obtaining a change, correction, or updating of your FBI criminal history record are set forth in Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 16.30 through 16.34. Information on how to review and challenge your FBI criminal history record can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks or by calling (304) 625-5590. For more information regarding the Privacy Act, you can view and/or download a copy of the Applicant’s Privacy Rights.

A criminal history record, known as an Identity History Summary, includes a person’s

• Biographic and Biometric Identifiers
• Arrest Information (if any)
• Dispositions

Why Dispositions Matter. Accurate Identity History Summary records are important for the administration of criminal justice, including:

• Apprehension
• Detention
• Pretrial Release
• Post-Trial Release
• Prosecution
• Adjudication
• Correctional Supervision
• Rehabilitation

Fingerprint-based background checks are also used for noncriminal justice purposes. These include employment, licensing, adoption, citizenship, and military service. For example, if an acquittal disposition is not reported, a person can lose a benefit or job opportunity.

An FBI background check goes back for the entire applicant’s lifetime.

The FBI has the largest criminal database in the world. This database was known as the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).  The FBI has now implemented the Next Generation Information System (NGI) which also includes facial recognition and DNA.

If the fingerprints were submitted to a state agency they are checked in the specific state’s database. Each state maintains its own system which can have many different names.

All states forward criminal records and fingerprints to the FBI.

Submissions are normally processed the day they are received and available within a few minutes to a few hours. However, an incomplete application, missing information, long history, or history from multiple states will delay processing. If you have not received your results within 5 days of your request, please contact us.
Shortly after your fingerprints are submitted you will receive an email to log in to a secure website to view your Identity History Summary report online.
FBI security standards require that we purge all FBI Criminal Report information every 30 days. Because of these guidelines, additional copies of an old report cannot be purchased. However, you can submit new fingerprints at any time.
If an address is provided you will also receive your FBI Criminal Record report within 5-7 business days USPS First Class Mail.

As stated on the FBI Identity History Summary Checks website:

“Current processing time for Identity History Summary requests submitted electronically is estimated to be three to five business days upon receipt of the fingerprint card. Allow additional time for mail delivery if this option was selected during the request process.”

“Current processing time for Identity History Summary requests submitted via the mail is 2-4 weeks. Allow additional time for mail delivery.”

Source: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

IMPORTANT NOTES!!
When your response is received from the FBI, which can vary greatly from 5 minutes to 5 days. In the vast majority of cases, FBI returns search results within 8 hours, however, if your check has State level results, the FBI will not return their response until the State has responded, or 5 days. You will be notified via email and sent a link for the pickup website. In addition to your username and password, you will be required to receive a second factor for authentication, a 7 digit code, sent to either a text capable mobile phone or a mobile or landline phone where you can have the code ‘read’ to you. If a landline phone, it MUST be a direct phone, no extensions.

Records are able to be picked up ONE TIME ONLY!! Be sure to save a copy.
You have 30 DAYS from the date of the response to retrieve your results. After this time you will have to be fingerprinted again as there is NO WAY to retrieve your results.
After you have picked up your results, your login account and FBI results will be PERMANENTLY DELETED!!

Some fingerprints are hard to read due to many different reasons. Although it is rare, you are not the only person this happens to. Fingerprinting Express guarantees our fingerprints. If you are rejected for any reason we will print you again at no charge.

You will need to bring in the following:

• Rejection letter
• Original Utah FAST sales receipt
• Valid, government-issued identification
• We will fingerprint you one more time, at no additional cost.*

TRP Associates, LLC is our FBI-approved Channeler that offers a cost-effective, reliable, tested method for the collection and management of biometric and biographic data for business and government entities. An FBI-approved Channeler simply helps expedite the delivery of Identity History Summary information on behalf of the FBI by receiving the fingerprint submission and relevant data, then electronically forward the fingerprint submission with the necessary information to the FBI CJIS Division for a national Identity History Summary check, and receive the electronic summary check result for dissemination to the individual. TRP Associates, LLC meets a very strict set of compliance standards and provides FBI criminal history responses to an individual pursuant to Departmental Order 556-73.

As stated on the FBI website:

An FBI-approved Channeler is a private business that has contracted with the FBI to submit your request on your behalf. FBI-approved Channelers receive the fingerprint submission and relevant data, collect the associated fee(s), electronically forward the fingerprint submission with the necessary information to the FBI for a national Identity History Summary check, and receive the electronic summary check result for dissemination to the individual. An FBI-approved Channeler simply helps expedite the delivery of Identity History Summary information on behalf of the FBI.
The process for making a request through an FBI-approved Channeler is consistent with FBI submission procedures. Please note that an FBI-approved Channeler may have different methods or processes for submissions. Also, additional fees may apply above the FBI fee for requests submitted through an FBI-approved Channeler. Contact each Channeler for costs, processing times, and availability in your area.
An individual requesting an Identity History Summary or proof that a summary does not exist through FBI-approved Channelers should contact the Channeler directly for complete information and instructions.

• https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/list-of-fbi-approved-channelers-for-departmental-order-submissions
• https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/us-department-of-justice-order-556-73

We have the latest high-resolution, highest quality, up-to-date technology live scan devices, and fingerprint capture equipment that has a 99% approval rate. This makes all the difference with fingers that may be dry or oily and have trouble producing quality fingerprint images. However, there are instances where fingerprint cards are rejected due to low-quality images. Fingerprints can wear down for many reasons; and as we age our skin gets thinner, making it difficult to lift the fingerprints on a small part of the population. There are temporary reasons fingerprints are smooth and fingerprints can come back with new layers of skin. If fingerprints are too low of quality to scan against the criminal database. The state and/or FBI may require a separate fingerprint card to be submitted. Generally, these agencies do not reject fingerprints more than twice (there may be exceptions to this). If your fingerprints are rejected all you need to do is bring in the rejection letter along with a copy of your receipt and we will provide an additional fingerprint card or retake your fingerprints at no additional cost!

Exemption:
If you choose not to include your social security number or any other demographic information and it creates any problems or delays in processing your fingerprints to verify your identity with the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), any other state agency in another state or the FBI, the Utah FAST “Worry Free Acceptance Guarantee” is voided and you will have to pay any and all costs associated to resubmit new fingerprints.