While applying for notary services or licensing, you might’ve come across some digital fingerprint cards. Maybe even wondered what these are and whether you could avail one. So, let’s dive deeper into what’s a digital fingerprint card, how it works, and where to find one for yourself.
Nowadays, fingerprints are required for verification during employment, background checks, medical record keeping, licensing, lawsuit filing, and many other reasons. But traditional ink fingerprinting can be bothersome due to inaccurate results at times and messily inked fingers. Carrying around a digital alternative of the same can come in handy if you don’t want to go through the ordeal of inconvenient and time-consuming traditional fingerprinting again.
What Is a Digital Fingerprint Card?
A digital fingerprint card is basically an electronically captured image of one’s fingerprints that is printed onto scannable, standard cards, like the FD-258, SF-87 and FINRA, etc. These are not much different from traditional fingerprint cards, except that instead of using ink, these are imprinted onto the cards by Live Scan technology. As a result, the fingerprints are much cleaner and accurate in comparison.
How Does a Digital Fingerprint Card Work?
Digital fingerprint cards are simple, clear and non-invasive, and are prepared in only a few simple steps. Here are the steps at a glance.
- Digital Capture:
With Live Scan technology, high resolution images of one’s fingerprints are captured with visible, well-defined patterns unlike traditional paper and ink.
- Printing on Card:
The detailed finger biometrics are printed onto standard fingerprint cards like FD-258, which are required primarily for FBI and state agency check-ups.
- Submission of Card:
Some of these cards are only meant to be submitted for background checks, while few are made to be carried around for regular verification purposes.
Benefits of Having a Digital Fingerprint Card
At first glance, these don’t seem any more useful compared to traditional, but on a closer look we can observe how much better it can be.
- There is no smearing of ink involved, therefore the fingerprints are clearer and accurate. The whole process is considerably cleaner and hygienic.
- Since the prints are so on the point, the chances of it getting rejected are far less. No mess also means less wastage of time cleaning up, so the process is really quick.
- The high image quality and lesser error makes digital fingerprint cards the preferential choice for many verification and licensing boards.
Now in most cases, it isn’t mandatory to get a digital fingerprint card, but you may opt for one if you so need. Listed are the professions that generally require these cards:
- Healthcare Professionals
- FBI and State Background Check Applicants
- Licensing Applicants
- Immigration and Visa Applicants
- Financial and Real Estate Advisors
- Legal Advisors and Notary Officials
- University Staff
- Banking Employees
- Security Personnel
Be it for a license clearance, criminal background check, or simple security verification, if you share any of the listed professions, you should get a digital fingerprint card made for yourself.
Where to Look for Digital Fingerprint Cards in Woodlands, Texas?
Looking for a place to get digital fingerprint cards done? Texas Fingerprint & Notary can be your destination for professional notary services and fingerprinting. You can avail FD-258, FD-1164, SF-87, NFA, FINRA fingerprint cards from our branch in Woodlands, Texas. We offer:
- Trustworthy and experienced technicians.
- Quick, efficient and same-day appointments.
- Flexible schedule and personalized service.
- Comfortable and hygienic environment.
- Professionally certified standardized fingerprint cards.
If you want to apply for a digital fingerprint card like FD-258, here’s what you need to prepare—
- Keep all related documents you may need for the verification process with you.
- Bring valid, government-issued photo ID.
- Take note of your agency details if it’s applicable.
- Do not use any cosmetics or lotions on your hand and keep it dry.
- Be careful not to get cuts or bruises on hands right before fingerprinting.
Wrapping up
Digital fingerprint cards are more accurate than traditional fingerprint cards. Besides being non-messy, digital cards last longer than traditional fingerprint cards. Chance of applications being rejected where background verification through fingerprints involved is far less with digital fingerprinting cards.
Find a trusted fingerprinting service near you if you want a fast and accurate digital fingerprint card. Top providers deploy live scan technology to produce digital fingerprint cards quickly. Contact us if you need such services in Woodlands, Tx. We also serve in other locations in Texas like Houston, Magnolia, Cleveland, Spring, New Caney, and more.
