A Live Scan fingerprinting appointment usually costs between $40 and $100 out of pocket. That total bundles three separate charges onto one receipt: a rolling fee paid to the fingerprinting provider, a processing fee charged by your state’s criminal records agency, and, when a federal check is required, an FBI fee. How much does a Live Scan cost in your specific case depends on which of those three apply, what type of background check the requesting agency ordered, and which provider you walk into.
The Rolling Fee
The rolling fee is what the fingerprinting provider charges for the service itself: scanning your prints, entering your data, and transmitting everything electronically. Private businesses typically charge between $20 and $50. You’ll occasionally see prices outside that range in high-cost metro areas or for after-hours appointments. Law enforcement offices and community colleges that offer Live Scan tend to sit at the lower end.
This fee is set entirely by the provider. Two shops in the same city can charge $20 apart for the identical service, so it pays to call around before booking.
The State Processing Fee
Your state’s criminal records agency charges its own fee to search its database. These vary significantly, from nothing in a handful of states to roughly $35 at the high end. The exact amount depends on the type of check requested. Employment screening, professional licensing, and firearms-related checks each carry different price tags in most states, and some licensing categories add surcharges for specialized registry searches, such as child abuse or elder care databases.
You don’t pick the check type. The requesting agency’s paperwork specifies it, and the Live Scan operator collects the corresponding state fee at the counter.
The FBI Fee
When a federal criminal history search is also required, the FBI charges $12 per fingerprint-based submission as of January 2025. Volunteer submissions for organizations serving children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities cost $10.1Federal Register. FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division User Fee Schedule
Not every Live Scan requires an FBI check. Some employers and licensing boards only need a state-level search, which drops the total by $10 to $12. Check the form your requesting agency gave you to see what’s being ordered.
What Else Can Change the Total
A few variables push costs up or down from the base range.
Mobile Live Scan providers that come to your office or event site typically add a travel or convenience surcharge on top of their standard rolling fee. If you’re arranging fingerprinting for a group of employees or volunteers, some providers offer discounted per-person rates for bulk appointments. Those savings come out of the rolling fee. The government charges stay fixed regardless of volume.
The type of background check matters too. A combined state-plus-FBI check costs more than a state-only check, and specialized registry add-ons push the state portion higher in certain professions.
In some cases, the requesting agency has a billing arrangement with the state and covers the government processing fees directly. When that happens, you only pay the provider’s rolling fee. Ask the agency requiring your background check whether they have a billing number before your appointment. It can cut your out-of-pocket cost in half.
Who Actually Pays
Many employers cover the full cost of a mandatory background check. Others pass the bill to the applicant. Whether your employer must pay depends on the situation and your state’s labor laws.
At the federal level, the Fair Labor Standards Act doesn’t directly prohibit employers from shifting background check costs to employees. But if that cost would push your effective pay below the federal minimum wage for any workweek, the employer cannot require you to bear it.2U.S. Department of Labor. Fact Sheet #16: Deductions From Wages for Uniforms and Other Facilities Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) The same restriction applies to overtime compensation. Several states go further and prohibit employers from charging applicants for required background checks entirely, so check your state’s labor department website before you assume the bill is yours.
If you do pay out of pocket, keep the receipt. Self-employed individuals can generally deduct fingerprinting and background check costs as ordinary business expenses when the check is required for their profession. W-2 employees lost the ability to deduct unreimbursed work expenses as miscellaneous itemized deductions. That deduction was suspended by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act starting in 2018 and has since been permanently eliminated.
The Hidden Cost of Rejected Prints
Rejected fingerprints are more common than people expect, and they can double your bill. When prints come back unreadable, you’ll generally need to pay the provider’s rolling fee again for a rescan. Some states waive the government processing fee on resubmission if you have the transaction control number from your original attempt, but that depends on state policy.
Dry or worn skin is the most frequent culprit. People who work with their hands, use harsh chemicals, or have skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis on their fingertips are at higher risk for rejection. Moisturize your hands for several days before your appointment. Avoid washing dishes without gloves, handling rough materials, or using hand sanitizer right before your scan. If you know you have skin issues affecting your fingertips, mention it to the operator before they start. Experienced operators can adjust their technique and often capture a usable set on the first try.
Finding a Cheaper Provider
Private fingerprinting businesses are the most common option and tend to offer the most flexible hours, including evenings and weekends. Many local law enforcement agencies also provide Live Scan services, often at lower rolling fees. Some community colleges and public service centers offer the service as well.
Most state criminal records agencies maintain an online directory of authorized Live Scan locations, searchable by county or zip code. A general search for “Live Scan near me” works too, but verify that any private provider you find is authorized by your state’s records agency before booking. Call ahead to confirm hours, accepted payment methods, and the exact fees. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive option in the same city can be $20 or more for identical service.
A Note on Immigration Fingerprinting
If you need fingerprinting for an immigration application, none of the pricing above applies. USCIS eliminated its separate biometrics fee for most applications as of April 2024 and folded the cost into the main application fee. A small number of filings still carry a separate $30 biometrics charge, including certain cases handled through the Executive Office for Immigration Review and Temporary Protected Status applications.3USCIS. Frequently Asked Questions on the USCIS Fee Rule USCIS schedules biometrics appointments at its own Application Support Centers, so you won’t use a private Live Scan provider for immigration purposes at all.
What to Bring So You Don’t Pay Twice
You need two things: valid photo identification and the completed request form from the agency requiring your background check. Showing up without either can mean rescheduling and, in some cases, paying the rolling fee a second time.
Acceptable ID typically includes a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. The ID must be current and unexpired. Non-citizens may use a foreign passport with appropriate immigration documents, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Permanent Resident Card, or an Employment Authorization Card, though accepted forms vary by provider and state. If you’re unsure whether your ID will be accepted, call the provider before your appointment.
The request form goes by different names in different states, but it will contain the Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) number that tells the system where to route your results. Your employer, licensing board, or requesting agency provides this form. Fill out the personal information sections before you arrive. Showing up with a blank form wastes time at the scanner and increases the chance of data entry errors that delay your results.