Comprehensive Glossary of Terms & Abbreviations
PDX Fingerprinting Services
Comprehensive Glossary of Terms & Abbreviations
- Fingerprinting Services
- Notary Services
- Apostille & Legalization
- Document Translation
- Background & Compliance Checks
- Children & Special Services
- Government & Agencies
Term / Abbreviation | Full Form | Short Description |
FBI | Federal Bureau of Investigation | Federal agency performing background checks and criminal record verification. |
FDLE | Florida Department of Law Enforcement | State agency handling criminal background checks in Florida. |
ATF | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives | Federal agency overseeing firearms, explosives, and related compliance. |
FINRA | Financial Industry Regulatory Authority | Regulatory organization requiring fingerprinting for finance professionals. |
NFA | National Firearms Act | Law regulating firearms requiring fingerprinting for applications. |
FD-258 | Standard FBI fingerprint card | Official card used to submit fingerprints to the FBI. |
SF-87 | Fingerprint card for federal employment | Used by federal agencies to collect fingerprints for employment. |
FD-1164 | Applicant fingerprint card for federal applications | Required for certain federal background checks. |
Term / Abbreviation | Full Form / Description | Short Description |
Notary / Notary Public | Authorized individual who certifies signatures and documents | Validates legal documents and witnesses signatures. |
I-9 Verification | Employment verification process mandated by U.S. law | Ensures employees are eligible to work in the U.S. |
Document Certification | Process of validating a document’s authenticity | Confirms a document is legally recognized. |
Term / Abbreviation | Full Form / Description | Short Description |
Apostille | Certification authenticating documents for international use | Makes documents valid in foreign countries. |
Hague Convention | International treaty governing apostille process | Legal framework for document authentication. |
Legalization | Authentication process for documents for international use | Confirms documents are accepted abroad. |
Embassy Legalization | Document validation for embassy or consulate use | Required for international legal recognition. |
Term / Abbreviation | Full Form / Description | Short Description |
Translation Services | Professional translation of legal/official documents | Converts documents from one language to another accurately. |
Certified Translation | Official translation recognized by government agencies | Ensures translations meet legal standards. |
USCIS Translation | Translation specifically for immigration applications | Approved for immigration submission purposes. |
Translation Certification | Official certification confirming translation accuracy | Certifies translations are accurate and authentic. |
FD-900 | FBI fingerprint card format | Alternative FBI card format for submissions. |
Live Scan | Digital fingerprinting capturing fingerprints electronically | Modern electronic fingerprinting method. |
Ink & Roll | Traditional fingerprinting method using ink and paper | Older method to record fingerprints physically. |
Mobile Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting service at client location | Fingerprinting performed at the user’s preferred location. |
On-Site Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting conducted at organization/workplace | Fingerprinting offered directly at businesses or institutions. |
Juvenile Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting services for minors | Fingerprinting services designed for children. |
UPS Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting for UPS applicants | Service for UPS employment or compliance needs. |
USPS Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting for USPS applicants | Service for U.S. Postal Service employees. |
ATF Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting for ATF compliance | Required for firearms-related applications. |
NFA Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting related to National Firearms Act | Required for NFA firearm applications. |
FBI Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting for FBI background checks | For federal criminal record checks. |
FDLE Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting for FDLE background checks | Florida state-specific fingerprinting. |
FINRA Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting for FINRA compliance | Required for finance industry background checks. |
Electronic Fingerprint Submission | Sending fingerprints digitally to agencies | Digital submission method for faster processing. |
CF | Certified Fingerprinting | Officially certified fingerprinting service. |
PIV | Personal Identity Verification | Credential for secure government system access. |
TSA Fingerprinting | Fingerprints required for transportation security positions | Required for TSA employment compliance. |
Term / Abbreviation | Full Form / Description | Short Description |
Background Check | Verification of criminal, employment, or personal history | Confirms an individual’s record for employment or legal purposes. |
Criminal History Record | Report showing individual’s criminal convictions | Official record of criminal offenses. |
Expedited FBI Background Check | Faster processing of FBI criminal history records | Quicker access to FBI background information. |
Record Check | General verification of criminal or civil records | Confirms legal standing of an individual. |
Record Review | Process of evaluating fingerprint or background results | Analyzing the background check for accuracy. |
Fingerprint Retention | Duration agencies keep submitted fingerprints | Time period fingerprints are stored in agency databases. |
Multi-State Verification | Background check covering multiple states | Checks records across multiple U.S. states. |
Name-Based Check | Background check using name & DOB rather than fingerprints | Quick verification without fingerprinting. |
Employment Screening | Verification of qualifications, background, and identity | Confirms suitability for jobs or licenses. |
Adoption Background Check | Fingerprinting and background check for adopting children | Ensures safety and legal compliance for adoption. |
Professional Licensing | Fingerprinting required for licensing boards (medical, legal, etc.) | Required for professional certification and license approval. |
USCIS Form I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization (may require fingerprints) | Needed to work legally in the U.S. while awaiting status. |
USCIS Form I-131 | Application for Travel Document (may require fingerprints) | Permits legal travel for visa or immigration purposes. |
FBI Name Check | FBI verification using applicant’s name | Checks criminal history using name instead of fingerprints. |
Safety & Security Compliance | Ensuring individuals meet legal requirements for work or travel | Confirms adherence to security and legal protocols. |
Background Screening Agency | Third-party company conducting background checks | Provides background verification services for clients. |
Term / Abbreviation | Full Form / Description | Short Description |
KidScan | Child fingerprinting service for safety and identification | Records fingerprints of children for protection purposes. |
Newborn & Child Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting services for infants and children | Helps parents protect and identify their children. |
Juvenile Fingerprinting | Fingerprinting for minors (school or security purposes) | Ensures safety and legal compliance for children. |
Term / Abbreviation | Full Form / Description | Short Description |
USCIS | United States Citizenship and Immigration Services | Handles immigration and naturalization processes. |
DOS | Department of State | Issues federal apostilles and handles international documents. |
DOJ | Department of Justice | Federal agency overseeing legal compliance. |
OFAC | Office of Foreign Assets Control | Monitors sanctions and compliance with financial regulations. |
FINRA | Financial Industry Regulatory Authority | Oversees licensing and background checks for finance professionals. |
ATF | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives | Manages firearms and explosives regulations. |
TSA | Transportation Security Administration | Requires fingerprinting for airport and transportation security positions. |
FBI | Federal Bureau of Investigation | Federal law enforcement and background check authority. |
FDLE | Florida Department of Law Enforcement | Conducts state-specific fingerprinting and background checks. |
NFA | National Firearms Act | Governs firearm-related background checks and applications. |
