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Live scan is an inkless, electronic means of capturing fingerprints in a digitized format, packaging them with required demographic data, and transmitting them to a state repository (here, the Illinois State Police) or to the FBI for a fingerprint-based background check. This technology allows non-criminal justice authorized recipients to receive and review identity-based criminal history record reports.

No. None of our Accurate Biometrics Illinois locations take appointments. Please click here to view our real-time schedule and find the location closest to you. You can come into any of our Illinois locations during the scheduled hours. Call toll free 866-361-9944 to schedule a special large group session for your organization.

Many jobs, especially those in education, healthcare and government work require that their applicants undergo a fingerprint-based background check upon employment. Background checks may be required by Illinois and/or Federal legislation. They may be required to help protect vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure.

No. Each time you are fingerprinted, your results are sent directly to the requesting agency/employer. Your records are maintained by that agency and your criminal background will be updated in accordance with the state law. Employers or agencies that require fingerprinting maintain their own agency agreement with the Illinois State Police regarding the use of Criminal History Record Information (CHRI). A new set of fingerprints is required by state law every time you work or volunteer for an agency that requires a fingerprint-based background check. The Privacy Act of 1974 mandates the allowed use of one's CHRI for all third party requesters.

There are two types of Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification fingerprint-based checks: UCIA and Access and Review. A UCIA check returns IL conviction information. It can be requested by an individual as a self-check. It can also be requested by a 3rd party. A UCIA fingerprint check contains only Illinois Conviction data.

• Click to view the Illinois State Police Uniform Conviction Information Act (UCIA)
• Click here to find out how to get a UCIA fingerprint check.

An Illinois Access and Review check returns all IL criminal data including open arrests with or without disposition information, including juvenile records. It can only be requested by the individual. Individuals request it in order to check that their Illinois record information is correct, or as a first step to applying for record expungement or sealing. Click here for an Access and Review check.

An FBI fingerprint-based background check – called a Departmental Order 556-73, also an Identity History Summary Check (IdHS) – is a nationwide check of the FBI NGI database containing criminal record information from States and all other agencies reporting to the FBI. An FBI Departmental Order is the only fingerprint-based background check that allows individuals to check their own criminal record history on a nationwide level. It is used by individuals who want to check their record for accuracy. It may also be required for legal reasons, such as adoption, or by individuals wanting to live, work, study or teach abroad. Click here to find out how to apply for a personal FBI background check at one of our Accurate Biometrics Illinois locations.

Illinois legislation determines whether your fingerprints will be processed by the State and/or the FBI. Your fingerprints will be processed first by the Illinois State Police (ISP), who may then send them on to the FBI for further processing on the federal level. The combined results from the ISP and FBI are compiled and submitted to the requesting agency from the ISP. If the requesting agency does not receive complete results from both the ISP and FBI, you should contact the ISP with your TCN (Transaction Control Number) from your receipt. The ISP prefers an email request at [email protected]; to contact the ISP by phone call 815-740-5160, then select option #2.

The cost of your fingerprints varies widely depending on the purpose of the fingerprint and/or the billing arrangement of your Requesting Agency. For a job, your employer can tell you whether they cover the cost of fingerprinting, and if not, what your special fee will be. For licensing or personal background checks, visit our Illinois homepage and click the link of the appropriate fingerprinting reason for details. For additional information, contact our Customer Service support team: call 866-361-9944, use our website chat feature, or email [email protected].

We accept all major credit cards, money orders, cashier’s checks, company/agency checks and pre-approved billing terms. We DO NOT accept cash or personal checks.

1. Drink lots of water starting the day prior to your fingerprinting. (Note: both caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate you.)
2. Apply oil-free moisturizing lotion (such as an aloe-based lotion) to your hands a couple of times the day before and again the morning of your fingerprinting visit. (Limit excessive hand washing with hot water and harsh soaps.)
3. Keep your hands out of water for long periods – dishwashing, swimming (especially salt water), long baths, etc. – prior to fingerprinting.
4. Cool your hands before coming in for your fingerprinting visit. (For example, on hot humid days, try bringing and holding a can of cold soda.)
5. If your hands tend to be sweaty, bring a paper towel along to help absorb excess moisture.

Note: If your fingerprints are rejected due to quality errors, you will be required to come back in to be re-fingerprinted. If you were fingerprinted for a requesting agency, they will get the rejection notice and forward it to you. You will need to bring in a copy of the rejection notice to get reprinted so that the prints get processed correctly.

For Illinois fingerprinting, the ISP charges a $10 reprocessing fee. Accurate Biometrics does not charge a service fee to reprocess rejected fingerprints.

Yes. An FBI Departmental Order (556-73), also called an Identity History Summary (IdHS) check allows that any U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident may request a copy of their record – or be able to show proof that a record does not exist (proof of no criminal history). Only you can request a copy of your own FBI criminal record.

Individuals typically make this request for personal review, to challenge the information on record, to satisfy a requirement for adopting a child in the U.S. or internationally, or to satisfy a requirement to live, work or travel in a foreign country (i.e., police certificate, letter of good conduct, criminal history background, etc.).

You request a personal FBI Departmental Order (IdHS check) in three ways:

• You can visit any one of our Illinois walk-in fingerprint locations. To find a location near you click here.
• You can apply by mail. To apply by-mail click here.
• You can pre-register and use a fingerprinting Kiosk in the Nationwide Collection Network. To get started click here.

We provide same-day service for online pick-up of results at our secure web portal, and delivery options for an additional printed response on secure, watermarked paper.

NOTE: Per FBI requirements, applications submitted from outside the U.S. cannot be accepted or processed. Results can only be picked up within the United States or its territories. Please contact the FBI if you need to apply internationally.

Two forms of identification are required for this background check. One form should be a current government issued photo ID. The other form of identification can be a secondary ID.

You can review the FBI Compact Council: Identity Verification Program Guide here.

Primary Accepted Forms of Photo Identification:

• State-issued driver’s license*
• U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
• Federal Government Personal Identity Verification Card (PIV)
• Uniformed Services Identification Card
• Department of Defense Common Access Card
• Foreign Passport with Appropriate Immigration Document(s)
• USCIS - Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
• USCIS - Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• Federal, state, or local government agency ID card with photograph
• U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
• Canadian driver’s license

*For those applicants without a driver’s license, a state identification card may be presented if the state’s identification card standards are the same as for the driver’s license.

Secondary Accepted Forms of Identity:

• State Government Issued Certificate of Birth
• U.S. Tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs Identification Card
• Native American tribal document
• Social Security Card
• Court Order for Name Change/Gender Change/Adoption/Divorce
• Marriage Certificate (Government Certificate Issued)
• U.S. Government Issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• Draft record
• School ID with photograph
• Certificate of Citizenship (N-560)
• Replacement Certificate of Citizenship (N-561)
• Certificate of Naturalization (N-550)
• Replacement Certificate of Naturalization (N-570)

When validating the authenticity of secondary identification documents and forms, the data and information may be supported by at least two of the following current documents:

• Utility Bill (Address)
• Jurisdictional Voter Registration Card
• Vehicle Registration Card/Title
• Paycheck Stub with Name/Address*
• Jurisdictional Public Assistance Card
• Spouse/Parent Affidavit

The results for employment or licensing, etc., are sent directly to the Requesting Agency that requires your fingerprinting. The Requesting Agency may not be required to share with you a copy of your fingerprint background check results. You can get your copy of your results. We offer a reduced fee if you request a second check for yourself at the time of your fingerprinting for a Requesting Agency.

For an Illinois Access and Review check, click here.

For an FBI (national) Self Background Check, click here:

Note: Illinois has updated the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/). If you are denied employment, By law, a requesting agency (except for government agencies) must provide a written copy of your report immediately upon request. You have the right to challenge the no-hire decision.

Resources:

• Illinois SB1480
• Illinois Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/)

Accurate Biometrics DOES NOT receive responses from the fingerprint background checks for any submissions sent to the ISP for processing.

Accurate Biometrics follows the law set out by the State of Illinois, and the United States Department of Justice.

Please note the following legislation regarding the collection and retention of your biometric information.

Illinois State:

• Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA)

FBI Federal:

• Department of Justice Privacy Act of 1974

Note: For information on Accurate Biometrics’ Retention and Destruction Policy for Identifiers and Other Biometric Information, please visit our Compliance page.

• Missing or incorrect data. When this occurs the data is corrected and the record is resubmitted to ISP. This does not require action by the applicant.
• Poor quality due to age of the applicant, previous work history (bricklayer, gardener, etc). When a print record is rejected due to poor quality, the applicant must be reprinted in an attempt to obtain fingerprint images of a higher quality.
• Missing, deformed or bandaged fingers.

Note: If your fingerprints are rejected due to quality errors, you will be required to come back in to be re-fingerprinted. If you were fingerprinted for a requesting agency, they will get the rejection notice and forward it to you. You will need to bring in a copy of the rejection notice to get reprinted so that the prints get processed correctly.

For Illinois fingerprinting, the ISP charges a $10 reprocessing fee. Accurate Biometrics does not charge a service fee to reprocess rejected fingerprints.

Accurate Biometrics does not provide Apostille service. Call our Customer Service number at 866-361-9944 for more information.