Top 5 Reasons Fingerprint Submissions Get Rejected (And How We Prevent Them)

Rejected Fingerprints = Lost Time

If you’ve ever had your fingerprint background check rejected by the DOJ or FBI, you know how frustrating it is. Whether you’re applying for a professional license, an immigration benefit, or a job, errors mean delays.

Here are the top 5 reasons fingerprint submissions get rejected — and how we at A1 Live Scan & Notary Services make sure yours doesn’t.

1. Poor Print Quality

Smudges, light impressions, or incomplete fingerprints are a top cause of rejection.

How we prevent it:

Our experienced technicians are trained to roll clean, full, and properly spaced prints every time — using state-of-the-art Live Scan equipment or high-quality ink card techniques.

2. Dry or Wet Fingers

Fingertips that are too dry or too sweaty make it hard to capture good prints.

How we prevent it:

We provide hand sanitizer, lotion, and drying tissues on-site. We’ll get your fingers “just right” before we scan.

3. Wrong Form or Agency Info

Submitting a fingerprint card without the right ORI code or Requesting Agency details = automatic rejection.

How we prevent it:

We double-check your Live Scan Request Form or FD-258 card and ensure it’s filled out correctly before we process anything.

4. Low-Resolution Digital Submissions

If you’re scanning and emailing your own ink card, a blurry scan could doom the whole process.

How we prevent it:

We offer professional scanning of fingerprint cards and can email it to your attorney or the requesting agency. No pixelated mess. Just clean, sharp files.

5. Not Knowing Which Service You Need

Some clients ask for Live Scan when they actually need ink cards — or vice versa.

How we prevent it:

We’ll ask you the right questions up front to match your form to the correct type of fingerprinting service. No guessing. No backtracking.

Our Promise: “We Do It Right the First Time”

With a 99.9% fingerprint acceptance rate by the DOJ and FBI, we’ve built our business around getting it done correctly — and quickly.

Book your appointment today: (213) 489-4559 | a1livescan@pacbell.net
Walk-ins welcome. Mobile appointments available.