FBI fingerprint background checks are among the most reliable checks available, because they match records to your fingerprints instead of your name. But “accurate” has two parts: matching the right person, and having complete, up-to-date records. The first is very strong; the second depends on the courts and agencies that report to the FBI.
Need an FBI background check? PDX Fingerprinting takes your prints and handles the request through our FBI background check service. Book an appointment online.
Why fingerprints beat name-based checks
A name-based check searches records by name and date of birth. People with common names can be wrongly matched to someone else’s record, and records filed under a different spelling or alias can be missed. A fingerprint check compares the ridges of your fingers against prints taken at arrest, so the match is tied to you, not your name.
Where FBI reports can be wrong or incomplete
- Missing outcomes (dispositions): an arrest may appear without the result, such as dismissed, acquitted or reduced charges, if the court never reported it.
- Old or sealed records: an expunged or set-aside case may still show if the update did not reach the FBI.
- Data-entry errors: wrong dates, charges or spelling.
- State-only records: some minor offenses are kept in state files and never sent to the FBI.
For more detail, see do dismissed charges show up and do expunged records show up.
What about poor-quality prints?
If your prints are too smudged or worn to read, the FBI rejects the submission rather than guessing. You are asked to be printed again. This protects accuracy, but it costs time. Good technique matters, which is why our technicians check every print before you leave. Read what to do if your fingerprints are rejected.
How to fix an error on your FBI report
- Get a copy of your own FBI Identity History Summary so you know exactly what it says.
- Contact the agency that reported the incorrect information, such as the arresting agency or court, and ask them to update it with the FBI.
- Or submit a challenge to the FBI CJIS Division, with copies of court records showing the correct outcome.
- Keep certified court documents handy, since employers or licensing boards may accept them while a correction is pending.
Learn more in how to read your FBI fingerprint report.
Related services
- FBI background check ($135)
- FBI background check with apostille
- Live Scan fingerprinting
- Fingerprinting for expungement
Frequently asked questions
Can two people have the same fingerprints?
No two people have been found to have identical fingerprints, even identical twins. Errors come from poor print quality or incomplete records, not from matching the wrong person.
If I have no record, what does the report say?
It states that no record was found for your fingerprints.
How long does an FBI check take?
Electronic requests often come back within days; mailed cards take longer. See how long fingerprints take to come back.
