Live Scan

What is Live Scan?

It is digital fingerprint submission transmitted electronically to the California Department of Justice (DOJ). This is an automated service for criminal history background checks that may be required as a condition of employment, licensing, certification, foreign adoptions or VISA/Immigration clearances.

Applicants must get instructions and the forms required for fingerprinting services from the agency requiring their criminal history background check.

How Much Will It Cost?

A rolling service fee of $15.00 will collected when you get your Live Scan fingerprints taken. Rolling fees vary by agency and typically range from $10.00-35.00.

There also is a criminal history processing fee collected by the California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation for the background checks. While often paid by the agency requesting criminal history reviews, some applicants may have to pay this fee so check with your requesting agency.

Fees are subject to change without notice. For more information on fees, go to http://caag.state.ca.us/fingerprints/forms/fees.pdf

What does Live Scan NOT do?

It does not replace a Criminal History Background Check!

It does not cover

• National Civil records. They reveal judgments and lawsuits against the person.

• Credit reports. Relevant for various reasons.

• Driving records, if this is part of the job.

• Verification of professional licenses and designations.

• Verification of education.

• Verification of professional references.

• Verification of personal references.

• Verification of identity!

Why is this important? Criminal Checks reveal convictions. They do not reveal existing lawsuits, allegations, or patterns of behavior that are not brought to trial. These are crucial pieces of information to maintaining your personal security.

I heard a real life example from another investigator:

A woman had taken the day off to go to the courthouse to get her marriage license. It went more quickly than she had anticipated. Across the street was the Police Department. She had been casually talking to this Investigator the day before, and he had brought up reasons for background investigations. Something he had mentioned stuck in her mind…

Since she had extra time, she walked across the street and into the PD. She spoke with the Officer and gave him the name of her fiancée. He ran a check and what did he find? The man she was intending to marry had a history of domestic violence!

Charges had never been pressed by his ex-wife (not that uncommon), so he did not have a criminal history. As far as she knew, he was a passionate man, but she loved that about him. She was shocked.

In the end, upon further investigation, she did break off the engagement due to his violent tendencies. She would have otherwise married this man and found out the truth about him at a higher cost.

SO… Live Scan is a wonderful tool! It is not, however, a replacement for a comprehensive background investigation… at least not if you are truly security-minded!

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