What IdentoGO Fingerprinting Is and How It Works
IdentoGO is a fingerprinting service operated by Idemia, a private company that provides digital identity solutions. The service allows people to get fingerprinted at physical locations across the United States. When you visit an IdentoGO location, trained staff members capture your fingerprints using digital scanning technology rather than traditional ink and paper methods. This digital fingerprinting process is faster and cleaner than older methods, and the results are immediately available in electronic format.
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The fingerprinting process itself is straightforward. A technician will guide you through positioning your fingers on a digital scanner, one finger at a time. The scanner captures high-resolution images of your fingerprints. Modern IdentoGO locations use live-scan technology, which means your fingerprints are digitized on the spot. The entire process typically takes between 10 and 15 minutes. You don't need to worry about ink stains or smudges—everything is electronic from start to finish.
IdentoGO fingerprints can be submitted to various organizations that request fingerprint-based background checks. These organizations include law enforcement agencies, employers, licensing boards, and other institutions that conduct background screenings. Your fingerprints remain your property, and you control where they are sent. The service itself is neutral—it simply captures and stores your biometric information in a format that can be transmitted electronically to requesting agencies.
The company operates more than 15,000 fingerprinting locations across all 50 states. This widespread network means most people can find a location relatively close to their home or workplace. Locations include retail centers, government offices, and dedicated fingerprinting facilities. IdentoGO maintains an online location finder tool where you can search by zip code or address to discover nearby options.
Practical Takeaway: Before scheduling an appointment, use IdentoGO's location finder to identify which service centers are nearest to you. Check the hours of operation for your preferred location, as some centers have limited availability on weekends or evenings.
Common Reasons People Get IdentoGO Fingerprints
Background checks requiring fingerprints are used across many different situations and industries. Employment is one of the most common reasons people pursue fingerprinting. Many employers, particularly those in fields like healthcare, education, childcare, and security, require fingerprint-based background checks as part of their hiring process. These checks help employers verify work history and identify any criminal history. According to data from the FBI, approximately 15 million fingerprint background checks are conducted annually in the United States across all sectors.
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Professional licensing also frequently requires fingerprints. Teachers, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other licensed professionals often must submit fingerprints to their licensing boards during initial certification or renewal. Different states have different requirements, and different professions have different standards. For example, someone pursuing a teaching credential in California may need fingerprints submitted to both the California Department of Education and the FBI, while someone in another state may have different requirements.
Volunteer work with certain organizations requires fingerprinting. Schools, youth organizations, foster care agencies, and senior care facilities often require fingerprint background checks for volunteers who will work directly with vulnerable populations. This is a safety measure to help screen for individuals with certain types of criminal history. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notes that fingerprint-based checks are standard practice for anyone with significant access to children in institutional settings.
Immigration-related processes sometimes require fingerprints. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may request fingerprints for immigration cases, visa applications, or background verification during the naturalization process. International adoption, some visa categories, and asylum cases may all involve fingerprint requirements. Additionally, certain financial transactions or professional certifications may require fingerprints as part of compliance screening.
Housing-related situations occasionally call for fingerprints. Some rental properties, particularly those managed by large corporations or in specific jurisdictions, may request fingerprint background checks from prospective tenants. This practice is less common than employment-related screening but does occur in certain markets.
Practical Takeaway: Identify the specific organization or agency requiring your fingerprints before scheduling your appointment. Contact them directly to ask whether they have specific instructions for fingerprinting, preferred vendors, or particular formats they need for the fingerprint records.
How to Schedule an IdentoGO Appointment
Scheduling an IdentoGO appointment involves several straightforward steps. Start by visiting the IdentoGO website and using their location finder tool. Enter your zip code or city name to see all available service centers in your area. The search results will show you the address, phone number, hours of operation, and services offered at each location. Some locations offer extended hours including evenings and Saturdays, while others operate only during standard business hours. Reviewing this information helps you choose a convenient location and time.
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Once you've identified a location, you have options for how to reserve your appointment. Many IdentoGO centers allow you to book appointments online through their website. Online booking typically involves selecting your preferred date and time from available slots, then confirming your information. This approach lets you secure your preferred time without calling. Alternatively, you can call the location directly to schedule over the phone. Speaking with staff by phone can be helpful if you have questions about what to bring or specific instructions from the organization requesting your fingerprints.
Walk-in appointments are sometimes available at certain locations, though this varies by center. Some busy locations may have long wait times for walk-ins, while others accommodate them readily. If you're considering a walk-in appointment, calling the location first to ask about current wait times is a smart approach. This helps you decide whether to book in advance or take your chances with a walk-in slot.
When you receive your appointment confirmation, note all the details. You'll typically receive information about what to bring, when to arrive, parking information, and what to expect during the appointment. Some locations send confirmation emails with these details, while others provide them by phone. Keep this confirmation information accessible—you may need to reference it on the day of your appointment.
The timeframe for getting an appointment varies by location and season. Busier urban centers may require scheduling a week or more in advance, particularly during peak seasons like summer or fall. Rural areas or less busy locations may offer same-day or next-day appointments. Planning ahead when possible reduces stress and ensures you can complete your fingerprinting on a schedule that works for you.
Practical Takeaway: Book your appointment at least one week in advance if possible, especially if you're in an urban area or scheduling during summer months. When booking, ask the staff member what time you should arrive before your scheduled appointment time, as this affects when you'll actually complete your fingerprinting.
What to Bring and Prepare for Your Appointment
Preparing properly for your IdentoGO appointment helps ensure the process runs smoothly. First and foremost, you'll need valid government-issued photo identification. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, state identification card, or military ID. The staff member will verify your identity before proceeding with fingerprinting. Having your ID readily accessible speeds up the check-in process. If you don't currently have valid photo identification, you'll need to obtain one before your appointment, as this is a requirement that cannot be waived.
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Bring any paperwork that the requesting organization provided to you. If an employer, licensing board, school, or agency sent you information about the fingerprinting requirement, bring those documents with you. They may contain case numbers, specific instructions, or codes that need to be entered in the system to ensure your fingerprints are routed to the correct organization. Having this paperwork prevents delays and ensures your fingerprints reach the right place.
Consider your physical condition before your appointment. Fingerprints are most easily captured from clean, dry hands. If your hands are very dry or your skin is damaged, the scanner may have difficulty capturing clear images. You don't need to do anything special, but being aware of this helps you understand the process. If you have significant cuts, burns, or other injuries on your fingertips, the technician will note this. In most cases, fingerprinting can still proceed—the scanner can usually capture images even with minor hand injuries. If you have severe injuries affecting all ten fingertips, contact your location in advance to discuss options.
Wear clothing that allows you to comfortably position your hands on the scanner. You don't need to remove your clothing or anything similar—the technician only needs access to your hands