FBI fingerprinting turns your fingerprints into a search of national criminal history records. The whole process has four parts: getting the request set up, capturing your prints, the FBI search, and the results going to the right person. Here is how each step works in 2026, and where things usually go wrong.
Need this done in the Portland area? PDX Fingerprinting offers FBI background check fingerprinting at our Beaverton, Hillsboro and Lake Oswego offices, plus mobile service across the Portland metro. Book an appointment online.
Step 1: Set up the request
Who starts the request depends on why you need the check:
- Your own record (for a visa abroad, adoption or personal review): you request your FBI Identity History Summary online and pay the FBI fee ($18 if you apply directly).
- A job or license: the employer or board starts the request and gives you a code, ORI number or card to use.
- Federal job: the agency usually sends an SF-87 card. See our SF-87 guide.
Step 2: Capture your fingerprints
| Method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Live Scan (electronic) | Each finger is rolled on a glass scanner and checked on screen | Fast results, fewer rejections |
| Ink card (FD-258 or agency card) | Fingers are inked and rolled onto a card that is mailed | Out-of-state boards, federal cards, ATF paper filings |
A technician rolls each finger nail-to-nail, then takes flat “slap” impressions of all four fingers and thumbs. Bring an unexpired photo ID. See ink vs. Live Scan.
Step 3: The FBI search
The FBI’s system compares your prints against fingerprint records submitted by law enforcement agencies nationwide. If there is a match, it pulls the record of arrests and any reported court outcomes. If there is no match, the result is a “no record” response.
Step 4: Results
- Your own request: results come to you, often within about 48 hours of electronic submission, or a couple of weeks for mailed cards.
- Job or license: results go to the agency, not to you.
- Going abroad: add a federal apostille. See FBI apostille service.
Where it goes wrong
- Poor-quality prints get rejected; see what to do if your prints are rejected.
- Wrong ORI or reason code sends results to the wrong place.
- Old arrests without a reported outcome can look worse than they were; see how to read your FBI report.
Ink cards vs. Live Scan: how your prints are captured
- Ink: each finger is rolled onto a paper FD-258 card, which is mailed to the FBI or the requesting agency.
- Live Scan: each finger is scanned on a glass plate, and the prints go electronically, often with faster results.
Both are accepted by the FBI. Which one you need depends on the agency. See ink vs. Live Scan fingerprinting.
What the FBI checks your prints against
Your prints are compared with fingerprints in the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) system, which holds prints taken at arrests reported by law enforcement agencies across the country. If there is a match, the related arrest and court information is included in your report. If there is no match, the report says no record was found.
How long the whole process takes
Electronic requests often come back within days. Mailed cards take longer. See how long fingerprints take to come back.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the appointment take?
About 15 minutes for most people.
Is my fingerprint data kept?
Retention depends on the program and the agency that requested the check. Your own Identity History Summary request is handled under the FBI’s rules for that program.
How much does it cost?
FD-258 cards start at $35; a full FBI background check is $135. See pricing.
