Live Scan questions, answered.

Live Scan captures fingerprints electronically for an authorized background-check request. At Pasadena Live Scan Service, we verify your identification, review the Request for Live Scan Service form supplied by your agency, and submit the fingerprint transaction electronically to the California DOJ (and the FBI when required). See how California Live Scan works.

Visit Pasadena Live Scan Service LLC at 708 N Marengo Ave., Suite A, Pasadena, CA 91103. We serve applicants from Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Glendale and surrounding areas. Appointments are recommended; walk-ins are accommodated when available. Office directions and accessibility details.

Appointments are recommended to reserve a time. Walk-ins may be accepted during office hours if capacity allows, but service is not guaranteed without a reservation. You can book an appointment online.

Yes—same-day appointments may be available in the online booking calendar. Available times depend on the day’s schedule. Check live appointment availability or call (626) 792-2185 with urgent questions.

An in-office Live Scan appointment typically takes approximately 15 minutes once your paperwork and ID are ready. The exact time depends on the form, number of applicants, and fingerprint quality. This is separate from how long the DOJ or FBI takes to complete background-check processing.

Start with the exact instructions from the agency requesting your fingerprints. A California Request for Live Scan Service form generally indicates California Live Scan; instructions mentioning FD-258 or wet ink may require physical fingerprint cards. An FBI Identity History Summary may use a separate federal channeling process. Compare all fingerprinting services.

Usually, each authorized requesting agency requires its own appropriately coded transaction; an existing Live Scan may not transfer to a different employer, license, or ORI. We cannot change the agency designated to receive an earlier transaction.

Live Scan is commonly requested for California employment, professional licensing, teaching, caregiving, volunteer roles, security licensing and other regulated activities. The employer, licensing board or other requesting organization determines whether fingerprints are required and supplies the correct form. Learn about California Live Scan requirements.

Yes. Applicants for healthcare, IHSS, childcare, school and other regulated roles can often use our California Live Scan service when their requesting organization provides the correct Request for Live Scan Service form. These programs use different ORI codes, applicant types and background-check rules; we cannot select them on the agency’s behalf. See California Live Scan services and bring your agency instructions.

Our published standard Live Scan rolling fee is $21 per transaction. Applicable California DOJ/FBI government-processing fees are separate and depend on your form. Common government examples are $32 for a DOJ-only check or $49 for a DOJ+FBI check, when those standard fees apply; your actual total may differ. Applications requiring a Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) check or firearms eligibility review may have different or additional government fees. See our current government fee guide.

A rolling fee is what the fingerprinting location charges to capture and electronically transmit your fingerprints. Pasadena Live Scan Service lists a standard $21 rolling fee, separate from fees assessed for government background-check processing. See what is included in California Live Scan.

No. The $21 is our standard rolling fee. Government processing fees are additional unless the requesting agency has arranged to pay them or an applicable fee exemption applies. Bring the agency-issued Live Scan form so we can review the transaction and applicable charges. Review the government fee examples.

For many standard applications, California DOJ-only fingerprint processing is $32, while DOJ plus the standard FBI check totals $49 in government fees. Other application types, including those requiring a Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) check or firearms eligibility review, may have different or additional government fees. These examples do not include our rolling fee. Check government fee categories.

A billing number is provided by an authorized requesting agency and may allow government processing fees to be billed to the agency instead of collected from the applicant. It does not automatically cover our rolling fee. We verify the form’s billing instructions before processing. Learn about ORI and billing numbers.

Some qualifying nonprofit organizations and volunteer programs have special government fee arrangements. For eligible nonprofit human-resource agency or youth-organization applications, the California DOJ processing fee may be waived ($0), and the standard FBI processing fee is generally $15 for volunteers or $17 for employees. The exact fees depend on the agency-approved applicant category and are subject to change; our rolling fee is separate. The requesting agency should provide the correct applicant type and billing instructions. See fees and exemptions guidance.

Often, but the total depends on the specific agency, applicant type, DOJ/FBI checks and billing instructions on your Request for Live Scan Service form. For a more accurate quote, call (626) 792-2185 with the form available. Understand the possible charges.

Bring (1) your Request for Live Scan Service form from the requesting agency and (2) valid, unexpired photo identification accepted for the transaction. Bring any agency instructions and appropriate payment as well. See our step-by-step preparation guide.

The employer, licensing board, school or other organization requesting your background check should provide the correct form and required codes. Pasadena Live Scan Service should not guess or invent the agency’s ORI, applicant type or billing details. Read about the California Live Scan form.

The Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) identifies the authorized agency requesting the background-check results. It is usually printed on the Request for Live Scan Service form supplied by that organization. If it is missing, ask the requesting agency for the correct form before fingerprinting.

For a standard California applicant Live Scan transaction, you generally need the correct requesting-agency form or instructions containing the transaction information. We can help identify the service, but we cannot choose your agency or purpose for you. Call before visiting if you do not have a form.

Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID that is accepted for your transaction, such as a qualifying driver’s license, state identification card or passport. If you have a different form of identification, call us in advance to confirm. The DOJ does not accept expired identification for applicant fingerprinting. See our ID preparation advice.

No—California DOJ requires valid photo identification and states that expired identification is not accepted for applicant Live Scan fingerprinting. If your ID is expired, obtain an acceptable current ID or call to discuss what other qualifying identification you may have.

Contact the employer or agency that issued the form to correct important information, especially the ORI, applicant type or billing instructions. Incorrect transaction information can delay processing or send results to the wrong requesting agency. We can review the form at your appointment, but only the agency can confirm its required codes.

No. Please do not submit Social Security numbers, dates of birth, background-check records or other sensitive applicant details through our website contact forms or appointment notes. Bring your official paperwork to the fingerprinting appointment and follow the requesting agency’s instructions. Contact us using our general questions form.

Contact the requesting agency to confirm how your name must appear on the form before the appointment. Bring current valid government-issued photo ID and any relevant supporting documents for a legal name change. Discrepancies can delay or prevent processing; our office cannot alter an agency’s authorized ORI or application details. Contact our office if you need help preparing.

Go to the official California DOJ Applicant Background Check Status tool and enter your Automated Transaction Identifier (ATI) number and date of birth. The online tool reports transaction processing status, not a hiring or licensing decision. Read the status-check walkthrough.

ATI stands for Automated Transaction Identifier. It identifies your fingerprint submission and is recorded on your completed Live Scan paperwork. Keep your copy; you will typically need the ATI and your date of birth to check the DOJ’s processing status.

Many DOJ fingerprint transactions are processed within a few business days, but some take longer because of additional review, submission issues or agency processing. Pasadena Live Scan Service cannot guarantee a completion date. Check your ATI status and contact the requesting agency regarding its final decision. Learn about the steps after fingerprinting.

For standard California applicant transactions, the California DOJ sends the response to the authorized requesting agency. Pasadena Live Scan Service captures and submits the fingerprints; we do not receive your employer’s or licensing board’s approval decision.

The standard employment or licensing Live Scan process sends results to the requesting agency, not to our fingerprinting office for release to applicants. To request a copy of your own California criminal history record, use the official California DOJ Request for Live Scan Service — Record Review form (BCIA 8016RR). If you need an FBI-only Identity History Summary, see our FBI Channeling page.

Some checks take longer because an agency needs additional review, fingerprint quality requires attention, or transaction details must be resolved. First check the official DOJ status tool using your ATI. If it indicates the response was sent, follow up with the agency requesting your background check. Check the DOJ status portal.

Occasionally an agency requests new fingerprint impressions because the originals were unreadable or another issue affected processing. Follow the rejection notice instructions and contact us with the notice and your transaction details. Any replacement process or fee depends on the specific notice and applicable policies; do not assume a new appointment is unnecessary.

Look for the ATI number on the copy of your completed Request for Live Scan Service form that you kept after fingerprinting. The official California DOJ status lookup requires the ATI number and your date of birth. If you no longer have the number, call the fingerprinting location where you were processed to ask what assistance may be possible after identity verification. Do not send your birth date or identity documents through our website contact form.

A completed transmission does not mean that our fingerprinting office can view or release your background-check results. Check the official DOJ applicant status page, and give your requesting agency the relevant ATI transaction details so it can follow up through its authorized process. If the agency reports a submission problem, contact our office with the agency’s instructions.

FD-258 is a standard physical fingerprint-card format used for certain FBI and out-of-state agency requests. The card contains identification fields and rolled/plain fingerprint impressions. Choose the method—traditional ink or digital print-to-card—that the receiving organization accepts. Read about FD-258 ink cards.

Pasadena Live Scan Service lists $21 per traditional FD-258 ink fingerprint card. This is the in-office card service; mailing, application or agency charges may be separate. Bring instructions from the organization receiving the completed cards. See FD-258 Ink Fingerprinting.

Print-to-card captures your fingerprint impressions electronically and prints them onto a physical FD-258 card. Pasadena Live Scan Service lists $25 per card. It is different from electronic California DOJ Live Scan submission; confirm that the receiving organization accepts digitally captured, printed cards. See FD-258 print-to-card service.

Often, yes, when the other state or agency accepts physical FD-258 fingerprint cards. California electronic Live Scan transactions are not automatically interchangeable with another state’s process. Bring the receiving state’s exact fingerprint-card and submission instructions. Explore traditional ink cards or print-to-card.

No. California Live Scan is an authorized state applicant process generally tied to an agency-issued Request for Live Scan Service form. FBI channeling is a separate route for eligible FBI Identity History Summary requests. For our FBI Channeling service, we submit fingerprints electronically to the FBI. Read our FBI Channeling guide.

Our published FBI Channeling service fee is $90. FBI Channeling pricing and instructions.

Results normally take about 24 hours, but completion is at the FBI’s discretion and 24-hour turnaround is not guaranteed. If your deadline is important, confirm the requesting organization’s requirements before booking. FBI Channeling FAQ and timing.

An FBI Identity History Summary may be requested for travel, residency or foreign-country applications, but the destination’s acceptance and authentication requirements vary. The fingerprint/background-check service is separate from any apostille or authentication process. Follow the receiving authority’s instructions before choosing a service. Understand FBI Channeling options.

Yes. We coordinate on-site group fingerprinting for qualifying businesses and organizations. Mobile visits are arranged directly with our office and quoted based on applicant volume, location, timing and travel logistics; they are not booked through the individual online appointment calendar. Request mobile fingerprinting details.

Mobile pricing is quoted individually. We consider the number of applicants, travel requirements, service location, date/time and which government fees apply. Call (626) 792-2185 for an employer estimate. Learn about Group/Mobile Live Scan.

Please arrange access to a standard electrical outlet and a sturdy table or clear counter space for our equipment. Have each applicant present on time with valid government-issued photo ID and a completed Request for Live Scan Service form. Applicants who are late or missing required documents may not be processed because mobile service operates on a schedule.

Yes. Pasadena Live Scan Service offers business account arrangements for organizations that regularly send applicants. We confirm the approved charges, contact information and billing instructions before the account is used; business billing does not change government-imposed processing fees. Review business account options or request an account.

The individual online booking calendar supports reservations of up to three people when enough capacity remains. Larger groups and on-site visits should be coordinated by phone so we can plan the time, forms and staffing required. Book a small in-office group or ask about mobile fingerprinting.

Yes. Our Private Clientele service offers individually coordinated, discreet scheduling and fingerprinting arrangements. Pricing is provided by quote, and a mutual NDA may be discussed for qualifying high-profile engagements, subject to applicable legal and recordkeeping obligations. Explore Private Clientele services.

We are located at 708 N Marengo Ave., Suite A, Pasadena, CA 91103. Our published office hours are Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, with lunch closure 1:00–1:45 PM; weekends are closed. Appointment slots are shown separately on the online booking calendar.

Our office is on the second floor, accessible by stairs only, and the building does not have an elevator. If stairs may be a problem, please call (626) 792-2185 before planning your visit. See location details.

We have a small parking lot at our office, and street parking is also available along Marengo Avenue, subject to posted signs and time limits. Please allow enough travel and parking time to arrive ready for your appointment. View location and directions.

Yes. Pasadena Live Scan Service offers English- and Spanish-language assistance for service selection and visit preparation. Bring the agency-issued paperwork for your requested service and call if you have questions.

Yes. Two U.S. 2×2 passport photos are $13 (+$5 per additional set of two). Two Canadian passport or citizenship photos are $18, and four European or Asian application photos are $18. Bring official specifications for non-U.S. applications. See all passport-photo pricing.

Yes. Our in-office California notary service is listed at $15 per document. Bring the complete document, qualifying identification and every signer who must personally appear. Mobile notary service is not advertised. See notary preparation and appointments.

No. Personal federal and California income tax preparation is booked by phone only, not through our general online appointment calendar. We prepare individual/personal returns, not business tax returns. See income tax service details.

Use the secure manage-appointment link or booking reference and phone number on our appointment page. You can reschedule or cancel without creating an account. Please make changes as soon as possible so the time can become available to another customer.