What If the FBI Was Unable to Process Your Fingerprint?

If the FBI rejects a fingerprint submission for an Identity History Summary (rap sheet) check, the applicant will have to be fingerprinted again. This may be for various reasons, such as poor-quality prints, smudging, or an inability to capture enough detail due to worn-out ridges. It could also happen if the scanning machine does not take the right print of your fingers or when the prints don't match any records in the FBI database.
 

If the fingerprint cannot be processed, the agency will contact you or the organization that submitted the request for a background check. You may have to resubmit your fingerprints using the same method, or you might try another method, such as going digital if you used ink the first time. 
 

In instances where this continually fails, the agency will revert to other means of verification, such as personal identifiers such as name, address, or social security number. While frustrating, this is not uncommon and usually resolvable.

To avoid this problem, fingerprinting must be done with clean and dry hands, and the technician must take clear, readable fingerprints. Getting the results this way may take a little longer, but they will be more accurate.
 

Unfortunately, some applicants have fingers where a good fingerprint simply cannot be captured due to working with harsh chemicals or wear down. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) must determine whether the fingerprints represent the best quality. If the WSP determines the fingerprints are not the best quality, the applicant will need to be printed again.

Once WSP accepts the fingerprints, they will be processed by the FBI. The FBI will check the quality of the fingerprints. If the FBI rejects the prints, the applicant will need to be printed again. On the second rejection, BCCU will request a National Name Date of Birth check from the FBI, and the fingerprint process will be completed.
 

You can follow the following tips to ensure you get your fingerprints right away.

• Kindly ensure that your fingerprints are presented on the FD-1164 fingerprint form since the FBI will approve this form on standard white-colored paper stock.
• You need to provide a current fingerprint card (one that has yet to be previously processed).
• Ensure that important details such as your name, birthdate, and signature are presented on your card of fingerprint. 
• You need to submit rolled impressions of all 10 fingers and impressions of all 10 fingers taken at one time (these are sometimes referred to as plain or flat impressions).
• You should have your fingerprints taken by a fingerprinting technician. You might be able to avail of this service through the local police service. Several accredited agencies are experts in capturing fingerprints and using the latest technology such as Globeia, which reduces the chances of your fingerprints being rejected.
• The FBI recommends not using red or purple ink to take your fingerprints. They accept fingerprints taken with ink or via live scan. If your fingerprints are taken via a live scan device, get a hard copy to send in so that the fingerprint card can be mailed to the FBI.
• The inability to decipher the fingerprints can lead to straight rejection from the FBI. This may delay processing and could also result in additional fees.
• After the form, payment, and fingerprint card get mailed, you may receive your response report in some time where the name will match the mentioned ones in the fingerprint card.
• Suppose the last four digits of your Social Security number must be on your response letter. In that case, you must include the complete nine digits or last four digits of your Social Security number on the fingerprint card when you submit your request.

Fingerprints can be rejected for poor image quality. The following may affect the ease of capturing fingerprints: exposure to chemicals, wear, and fingers that are too dry or clean.

To assist the reader in reading your fingerprint, you may want to try the following: rub your finger across your forehead and then touch the reader with your finger. If that does not work, re-register the fingerprint. The FBI authenticates all fingerprint search results with a division official's signature and an FBI watermark. Results are returned by First-Class Mail.