Learn About Scheduling Your Identogo Appointment

What Identogo Does and Why You Might Need an Appointment

Identogo is a private company that operates fingerprinting and identity verification services across the United States. The company runs over 4,500 locations nationwide, making it one of the largest providers of background check services in the country. When a government agency, employer, or organization needs official fingerprints or identity verification from someone, Identogo is often the vendor they contract with to collect that information.

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You might need an Identogo appointment for several reasons related to your career path. Some career fields require background checks as part of employment screening—think healthcare, education, banking, or government work. Professional licenses in certain industries also mandate fingerprinting. Additionally, if you're pursuing opportunities that involve working with vulnerable populations or handling sensitive materials, background verification through fingerprinting is standard practice.

The difference between going to Identogo versus other fingerprinting providers matters for your career timeline. Identogo has standardized procedures across locations, which means your fingerprints will be processed consistently whether you visit a site in Florida or Washington state. This consistency is valuable when your results need to go to multiple agencies or organizations. The company has been operating since 2004 and handles millions of background checks annually.

Understanding what Identogo actually does—collecting your fingerprints and identity information, then transmitting it to the requesting agency—helps you prepare for your appointment with realistic expectations. You're not applying for anything at Identogo; you're completing a step in a process that someone else (your employer, licensing board, or government agency) has already initiated. This distinction matters for how you approach scheduling and what documents you'll need to bring.

Takeaway: Identogo is a fingerprinting service provider, not a government agency. If you need background verification for a career opportunity, your employer or the relevant organization will tell you to use Identogo—you're not choosing the vendor.

How to Find Your Nearest Identogo Location and Check Hours

Locating an Identogo site near you starts with their official location finder on the Identogo website. You can search by city, ZIP code, or state. The location finder shows you exact addresses, phone numbers, and business hours for each site. This tool updates regularly, so you're seeing current information rather than outdated lists. Most urban and suburban areas have multiple locations within a reasonable distance, while rural areas may have fewer options.

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Hours vary significantly by location. Many Identogo sites operate during typical business hours—Monday through Friday from 8 or 9 AM to 5 or 6 PM. However, some locations offer extended hours, opening as early as 7 AM or staying open until 7 PM. A smaller number of sites have weekend hours, usually Saturday mornings. This variation matters if you're working full-time and need an appointment outside standard business hours. Some locations close for lunch, typically between 12 and 1 PM, so checking the specific hours at your chosen site prevents wasted trips.

The location finder also provides information about which services each site offers. While all Identogo locations handle basic fingerprinting, not every site offers every service. Some specialize in law enforcement fingerprinting, others focus on employment backgrounds, and some handle immigration-related verification. Matching your needs to a location that offers that specific service saves time and prevents confusion.

When you call ahead or visit a location's page, you can ask about current wait times. Popular locations in busy areas might have longer waits during peak hours (typically mid-morning and late afternoon on weekdays). If you have flexibility in scheduling, visiting during slower times—early morning or midday—often means shorter in-person wait times. Some locations allow you to check real-time wait status online.

Takeaway: Use Identogo's location finder tool to identify sites near you, confirm they offer the specific service you need, and check their hours before scheduling. Early morning or midday appointments often involve shorter waits than popular times.

Understanding What Information and Documents You'll Need to Bring

Before scheduling an Identogo appointment, you need to gather specific documents because the company has strict identification requirements. You'll need a valid government-issued photo ID as your primary form of identification. This includes passports, driver's licenses, state ID cards, military ID cards, or comparable documents. The ID must be current and valid—expired IDs won't work. If your ID is within six months of expiration, some locations may still accept it, but calling ahead to confirm prevents complications on appointment day.

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If you have multiple forms of ID available, bringing more than one is smart. Identogo staff can verify information more easily when you present consistent documentation across documents. For example, bringing both your driver's license and passport is more straightforward than relying on just one document if names or information varies slightly between sources.

The information on your government ID must match the information on the form or authorization document that triggered your background check need. If you've recently changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change, having legal documentation of that change is important. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for name change helps explain any discrepancies between your current name and previous documentation.

You'll also need to bring whatever authorization or referral form the requesting organization provided. This might be a printed form, an email with your case number, or a barcode that the organization gave you. This document tells Identogo which agency or organization to send your fingerprints to and what type of background check to perform. Without this, staff won't know how to process your information correctly. If you don't have a physical copy, bring the email or bring the information on your phone to show staff.

Bring a pen if you prefer using your own, though Identogo provides pens for completing paperwork. Wear clothing with short sleeves or sleeves you can roll up easily, since fingerprinting requires access to your hands and fingers. If you have hand injuries, bandages, or significant scarring, notify the staff when you arrive—they may need to note this on your record or ask about it.

Takeaway: Bring a current government-issued photo ID, any authorization forms from the requesting organization, and proof of recent name changes if applicable. Verify that all names and identifying information match across documents before your appointment.

The Actual Scheduling Process and What to Expect When You Book

Identogo offers multiple scheduling methods depending on your preference and location. The online appointment system on their website is the most convenient option if you know which location you prefer and what service you need. You select your location, choose a date and time from available slots, and confirm your information. The system sends you a confirmation email with your appointment details. This approach takes 5 to 10 minutes and you can do it anytime, even outside business hours.

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Calling the location directly is the second option. You speak with staff who can answer questions about what to bring and confirm your appointment over the phone. If you have concerns about your specific situation—such as questions about recent name changes, international documents, or unclear authorization forms—talking to someone directly can clarify these issues before you arrive. Phone lines may be busy during peak hours, so calling early in the day or late afternoon often reaches someone faster.

Walk-in appointments are possible at most locations, but not recommended if you want certainty about timing. Walk-ins are processed on a first-come, first-served basis after scheduled appointments. This means your wait time depends on how many scheduled appointments are ahead of you. If you must walk in because you couldn't schedule ahead of time, arriving early in the morning gives you the best chance of being seen quickly.

When you schedule, you'll provide your name, date of birth, phone number, and email address. Some locations ask whether you've been fingerprinted there before, as returning clients sometimes have faster processing. You'll also select the type of background check from a dropdown menu—employment, law enforcement, immigration-related, or other categories. This information helps staff prepare and route your fingerprints correctly.

Most locations book appointments in 15-minute increments. This doesn't mean your entire appointment takes 15 minutes from start to finish, but rather the scheduling system reserves 15-minute blocks to control the flow of people. Actual in-person time at the fingerprinting station typically takes 5 to 10 minutes once you're called back. Paperwork, waiting, and verification steps happen before and after the actual fingerprinting.

Confirmation details come via email or text depending on what you provided. Save this confirmation email or take a screenshot of your confirmation number. If you