Before Your Appointment

Livescan fingerprint applicants often tell us that they have previously been told they have either “no fingerprints” or very poor quality fingerprints. Some have also experienced fingerprint quality rejections from the FBI and had to redo their fingerprinting numerous times. The good news is that there are actually very few people that have inherently poor fingerprints and there are some simple things you can do to improve your results.

First, Choose an Experienced Livescan Fingerprint Technician

Here at Atlantic Prints, our FBI rejection rate for Livescan fingerprints we submit is less than ½ of 1%! The industry-wide average rate for fingerprint rejection is between 7 to 10%. That means that even with the high-tech fingerprint scanners in use today, the secret behind getting great fingerprints is 50% technology and 50% technique. That‘s why you should always choose professional, as opposed to retail, background screeners. Given the thousands of applicants we’ve fingerprinted, we have yet to find one person who truly has no fingerprints. Fortunately, you have control over who you work with and we have you covered. Perhaps this is a good time to make your appointment with us.

Make an Appointment Now

Your fingerprint quality is determined by many other factors, some of which are beyond your control. Examples of factors you can’t control include skin health and dryness, age, medications you’re taking, acute hyperhidrosis, sweating, and genetics. Factors you can control are listed below.

No Hand Sanitizer Before Your Appointment

Strangely enough, the single most important thing you can do to help with your fingerprint quality is to NOT wash your hands — or use hand sanitizer immediately prior to your fingerprinting appointment! Don’t worry, we’ll help you get clean afterward.

Drink Lots of Water

For 24 hours, drink plenty of water. You get extra points if you minimize caffeine and alcohol as well.

Hand Lotion

Apply oil-free moisturizing lotion to your hands a couple of times the day before the appointment and again the morning of the appointment; especially after you wash your hands.

Don‘t Swim

Do not swim before your Livescan appointment. In fact, don’t have your hands in water (especially salt water) prior to your fingerprinting appointment. Maybe this is also a chance to get out of washing the dishes just once. 🙂

Crank the A.C.

Cool your hands before coming in for your fingerprinting appointment, especially on hot humid days.

Bring Your ID and Payment

Two forms of I.D. A government-issued color photo I.D. and a secondary I.D., such as a credit card, etc. A Florida driver’s license is preferred as we can swipe the magnetic stripe on the back for the information.
Social Security Number (Note: Aliens not living in the USA do not need one, but without an social security number, it will take longer for the results.)
Payment: credit or debit card is preferred, cash is good, checks accepted but they delay your Livescan submission
If this is for a Clearinghouse/photo submission, please groom & dress appropriately and remove all headwear

If you are one of the very few unlucky applicants who still have poor quality fingerprints after the above, for an additional $10 at the time of the initial fingerprinting, we will offer to collect a “second set” of fingerprints. By doing this, you will not need to return for re-fingerprinting should your first fingerprint set be rejected by the FBI. Simply provide us with the T.C.R. # from the FBI rejection notice and we will immediately submit the second set of prints. This will save you time, inconvenience, and money!

P.S. Here’s what you need to do in the unlikely event your Livescan fingerprints are rejected.