FAQ

Why should I use ACCU Fingerprinting New York services?

In today’s competitive employment environment, employers are requesting fingerprints as a prerequisite for employment. Most companies do not have trained fingerprint technicians on staff, and outsource this vital service. This has created a market where untrained, inexperienced individuals using substandard equipment have begun to offer fingerprint services in New York as independent contractors. They often are only around for a short time and often do more harm than good. Fingerprints are regularly rejected, reappointments are not granted, and there remains a high degree of risk for both document and identity theft. At ACCU Fingerprinting New York we fingerprint over 1,000 people week. We offer a money back refund or redo if your prints happen to get rejected, however we have a very low rejection rate of only 2%.

What do I need to bring with me to get fingerprinted?

Ink printing – One form of a valid photo identification, and a form of payment, if needed.
Digital printing – Two forms of valid government issued photo identification, and a form of payment, if needed.

Valid Forms of identification include:

*** State or Federal IDs only! No exceptions!

  • US Passport
  • Unexpired Foreign Passport
  • Social Security Card
  • School ID Card
  • Drivers License
  • State photo ID Card
  • Citizenship Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Alien Registration Card
  • Permanent Resident Card

How long does it take to be fingerprinted with ink?

We recognize the value of our clients’ time and provide our service as quickly and efficiently as possible. From start to finish the process includes: applicants filling out cards, technician checking identification and reviewing cards, fingerprinting and washing off the ink and lastly payment. This short process normally does not exceed 10 minutes.

Why would my fingerprints be rejected?

Fingerprints may be rejected for various reasons, some which unfortunately are unavoidable. Our policy here at ACCU Fingerprinting New York is that we will reprint any rejections at no extra charge. As a matter of fact, we stand by our prints and offer a redo or refund. Fingerprints are judged not classifiable and may be rejected for many reasons, some of those include:

  • Black ink not used
  • Fingers are not fully rolled
  • Fingerprint impressions are missing.
    - Notation should be made if any fingers were not printed because of amputation or deformity.
    - If a finger is bandaged or injured, the applicant must wait until healed to be printed. The FBI will reject any bandaged or injured fingers.
  • Fingerprint pattern is not visible to the naked eye.
  • Fingers are too dry
    - Fingers that are too dry leave impressions that are not accurate and appear faint.
  • Images are blurred or indistinct
    - Images cannot be too dark or too light
  • Impression are smudged
    - Several possibilities: fingers slipped during rolling the prints. Fingerprint tech must be in total control when rolling fingers. Always check to make sure the whole print is clearly defined on card.
  • Improper inking
  • Information on card not legible
  • Information on card is not complete
  • Multiple images in boxes
    - 10 boxes are provided meaning each finger gets its own box.
  • Physical
  • Physical abnormality
    - Abnormalities include hard to read ridges, cracks, scars, cuts, bandages, calluses, or sweaty hands.
  • Poor image quality
  • Prints and/or slaps are out of sequence or reversed
  • Transposed fingerprints

When did fingerprinting for identification purposes begin?

The first known systematic use of fingerprint identification began in the United States in1902. The New York Civil Service Commission established the practice of fingerprinting applicants to prevent them from having better qualified persons take their tests for them. The New York state prison system began to use fingerprints for the identification of criminals in 1903. In 1904 the fingerprint system accelerated when the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, and the St. Louis, Missouri, Police Department both established fingerprint bureaus. During the first quarter of the 20th century, more and more local police identification bureaus established fingerprint systems. The growing need and demand by police officials for a national repository and clearinghouse for fingerprint records led to an Act of Congress on July 1, 1921, establishing the Identification Division of the FBI.
In 1924 the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was established to provide one central repository of fingerprints. When the Identification Division was established its purpose was to provide a central repository of criminal identification data for law enforcement agencies throughout the Nation. However, in 1933 the United States Civil Service Commission (now known as the Office of Personnel Management) turned the fingerprints of more that 140, 000 Government employees and applicants over to the FBI. Therefore, a Civil Identification Section was established. These innovations marked the initiation of the FBI's Civil File which was destined to dwarf the criminal files in size. In 1992 the Identification Division was re-established as the Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS).

Why are fingerprints used for identification?

Fingerprint Identification is the method of identification using the impressions made by the minute ridge formations or patterns found on the fingertips. No two persons have exactly the same arrangement of ridge patterns, personal identification. Other personal characteristics may change, but fingerprints do not.

Can I do Live Scan or digital printing?

Live Scan fingerprinting systems are designed for ease of use and for capturing high quality fingerprint images; Live Scan is inkless electronic fingerprinting. The fingerprints are electronically transmitted to the subscriber for completion of a criminal record check. The Live Scan technology replaces the process of recording an individual’s fingerprint pattern through a rolling process using ink. Digitizing the fingerprint minutiae (the characteristics that make fingerprinting unique) enables the electronic transfer of the fingerprint image data in combination with personal descriptor information to central computers at the subscriber in a matter of seconds, instead of the days required to send hard copy fingerprint cards through the mail. We offer live scan fingerprinting services at our office location.

I need my fingerprints for another state, do you do that?

Yes, not only we assist with out of state fingerprinting we will also help you with digitizing your fingerprints so they are sent electronically to the agency doing the background check. This is done thorough our partner Morphotrust USA card Scanning Division. Keep in mind that this service is not yet available in all states.

How do I know which fingerprinting service will do the best job?

  • Ask for referrals
  • Make sure the company has a physical business address
  • Ask about the company’s track record and fingerprint acceptance rate. Any company that has over a 10% rejection rate should not be an option
  • Ask the company to guarantee in writing that the prints will be retaken at no charge if rejected

When did fingerprinting for identification purposes begin?

The first known systematic use of fingerprint identification began in the United States in1902. The New Jersey Civil Service Commission established the practice of fingerprinting applicants to prevent them from having better qualified persons take their tests for them. The New Jersey state prison system began to use fingerprints for the identification of criminals in 1903. In 1904 the fingerprint system accelerated when the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, and the St. Louis, Missouri, Police Department both established fingerprint bureaus. During the first quarter of the 20th century, more and more local police identification bureaus established fingerprint systems. The growing need and demand by police officials for a national repository and clearinghouse for fingerprint records led to an Act of Congress on July 1, 1921, establishing the Identification Division of the FBI.
In 1924 the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was established to provide one central repository of fingerprints. When the Identification Division was established its purpose was to provide a central repository of criminal identification data for law enforcement agencies throughout the Nation. However, in 1933 the United States Civil Service Commission (now known as the Office of Personnel Management) turned the fingerprints of more that 140, 000 Government employees and applicants over to the FBI. Therefore, a Civil Identification Section was established. These innovations marked the initiation of the FBI's Civil File which was destined to dwarf the criminal files in size. In 1992 the Identification Division was re-established as the Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS).

Why are fingerprints used for identification?

Fingerprint Identification is the method of identification using the impressions made by the minute ridge formations or patterns found on the fingertips. No two persons have exactly the same arrangement of ridge patterns, personal identification. Other personal characteristics may change, but fingerprints do not.

Can I do Live Scan or digital printing?

Live Scan fingerprinting systems are designed for ease of use and for capturing high quality fingerprint images; Live Scan is inkless electronic fingerprinting. The fingerprints are electronically transmitted to the subscriber for completion of a criminal record check. The Live Scan technology replaces the process of recording an individual’s fingerprint pattern through a rolling process using ink. Digitizing the fingerprint minutiae (the characteristics that make fingerprinting unique) enables the electronic transfer of the fingerprint image data in combination with personal descriptor information to central computers at the subscriber in a matter of seconds, instead of the days required to send hard copy fingerprint cards through the mail. We offer live scan fingerprinting services at our office location.

I need my fingerprints for another state, do you do that?

Yes, not only we assist with out of state fingerprinting we will also help you with digitizing your fingerprints so they are sent electronically to the agency doing the background check. This is done thorough our partner Morphotrust USA Card Scanning Division. Keep in mind that this service is not yet available in all states.

How do I know which fingerprinting service will do the best job?

  • Ask for referrals
  • Make sure the company has a physical business address
  • Ask about the company’s track record and fingerprint acceptance rate. Any company that has over a 10% rejection rate should not be an option
  • Ask the company to guarantee in writing that the prints will be retaken at no charge if rejected

Can I purchase my own ink and fingerprint myself?

No. Fingerprinting should only be conducted by officials properly trained to take acceptable fingerprints. Fingerprint card submissions that do not meet the required specifications will not be processed.

What is an acceptable form of identification?

Fingerprinting locations can only accept current, valid, and unexpired picture identification documents. However, in the absence of the new driver’s license additional forms of identification may be presented.

  • A state issued driver’s license which meets requirements
  • A state identification card may be presented if the state’s identification card standards are the same as for the driver’s license
  • U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military Identification Card (000 10-2)
  • U.S. Passport
  • Foreign Passport
  • Federal Government Personal Identify Verification Card (PIV)
  • U.S. Tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs Identification Card

How do I know my personal data is secure?

Your personal data traveling from the fingerprint equipment is comprehensively secured and regulated by both State and Federal regulations governing the use of that data.

How long does the fingerprinting process take?

In most cases the fingerprinting process will take approximately 10-20 minutes from start to finish. This includes the rolling process as well as the submission of your prints to the State Agency, FBI Channeler or other recipient organization.

How will I receive my results of my FBI Background Check?

You can receive your results via email through our secure portal or they can be shipped via the UPS or Fedex with a Tracking Number.

Do Fingerprints get rejected and what happens if they do?

We are one of the few companies who guarantee all fingerprints ink rolled, or digital will be accepted. Rejections do occur on an infrequent basis. This is unavoidable only (2%). When this happens we will reprint the applicant for free. If necessary, we will reprint multiple fingerprint cards to make increase the likelihood of the fingerprints being accepted.

To schedule a fingerprinting appointment or to inquire about pricing, please contact us at (212) 227-0307 or via email in the contact us section.