What Identogo Is and Why You Might Need Fingerprinting
Identogo is a private company that operates fingerprinting and background check services across the United States. They maintain thousands of service centers in retail locations, including many Walmart stores, UPS shops, and standalone offices. The company handles biometric collection for various purposes—employment screening, licensing requirements, volunteer background checks, and legal proceedings all rely on their services.
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Understanding why you might need fingerprinting matters before you schedule anything. Many professions require background checks as part of their hiring process or licensing requirements. Healthcare workers, teachers, childcare providers, security personnel, and financial professionals frequently undergo fingerprint-based background checks. Some people need fingerprinting for volunteer positions at schools, youth organizations, or community centers. Court orders, immigration processes, and professional certifications may also require official fingerprint records.
Identogo captures your fingerprints using digital scanning technology rather than the ink-and-card method many people remember from decades past. This digital approach creates records that can be submitted electronically to government agencies, law enforcement, and employers. The process takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish, though wait times at busy locations can extend this considerably.
The company operates in all 50 states, though location availability varies significantly. Rural areas may have fewer options than urban centers. Identogo charges fees for their services—typically between $10 and $20 for a basic fingerprinting session, depending on your state and the specific service you need. Some employers or organizations cover these costs for their candidates or volunteers, so confirming who pays beforehand prevents surprises at the appointment.
Practical takeaway: Before scheduling, identify your specific reason for needing fingerprinting. Different purposes may require different services or submissions, and knowing your purpose helps you select the correct appointment type and ensures you bring the right documentation.
Preparing Your Documentation Before Your Appointment
Walking into a fingerprinting appointment unprepared creates delays and may result in the center turning you away. Identogo requires specific documents to verify your identity and process your fingerprints correctly. The exact requirements depend on your state and the organization requesting your fingerprints, but a core set of documents applies to most situations.
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Valid government-issued photo identification forms the foundation of what you need. Acceptable forms typically include a driver's license, state identification card, passport, or passport card. If your ID has expired, call the specific Identogo location before your appointment to confirm whether they'll accept it—policies sometimes vary by location. Military personnel should bring their military ID alongside another form of identification. Non-U.S. citizens may need additional documentation; individuals with visas or work permits should contact their Identogo location in advance.
Many organizations that request fingerprinting provide specific forms or instructions for the fingerprinting process. These forms may include authorization documents, agency-specific requirements, or background check request forms. Read these materials carefully and bring everything with you, even if you're unsure whether it's needed. The fingerprinting technician can clarify what's required and what can be set aside.
Beyond identification, consider these additional items: write down your Social Security number (you may not need it, but having it ready saves time), bring your phone number and current address, and if applying for a position, bring the name and contact information for your prospective employer or organization. Some Identogo locations request that you complete portions of the background check form online before arriving, so check your appointment confirmation for any pre-work instructions.
The quality and accuracy of your fingerprint submission depends partly on the information you provide. Double-check that all names, addresses, and identifying information match across documents. If you've recently changed your name, bring both your old and new identification to prevent processing errors.
Practical takeaway: Create a checklist of required documents specific to your reason for fingerprinting at least three days before your appointment. Contact your Identogo location directly if you're uncertain about any requirements—clarifying questions take five minutes but prevent wasted trips.
Finding Your Nearest Identogo Location and Checking Hours
Identogo operates thousands of locations nationwide, but finding the one nearest you and confirming it's actually open requires a few specific steps. The official approach involves visiting the Identogo website and using their location finder tool. This search function requires you to enter either your zip code or city name and provides results showing nearby centers, their addresses, phone numbers, and hours of operation.
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The search results show distance from your entered location, which helps when multiple options exist in your area. Major metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston have dozens of locations. For example, the Los Angeles area has over 60 Identogo service centers scattered across different neighborhoods and retail locations. Rural counties might have only one or two options, sometimes requiring a 30 to 45-minute drive.
Hours vary considerably by location. Some Identogo centers operate during typical retail hours (roughly 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., six or seven days per week) when they're co-located with Walmart or other retailers. Standalone locations may have different schedules. Weekend and evening availability differs by location—some centers close on Sundays, while others don't open until noon on Saturdays. Before selecting a location based on convenience, verify the specific hours match your availability.
The Identogo website provides phone numbers for each location. Calling ahead serves multiple purposes: confirming current hours (hours posted online sometimes lag behind actual changes), asking about typical wait times (some locations consistently have 30-minute waits while others process people quickly), and clarifying specific documentation requirements for your situation. When you call, have your reason for needing fingerprinting ready so the staff member can ensure you're getting the right service.
Peak times affect wait times significantly. Mid-morning (10 a.m. to noon) and late afternoon (3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) tend to have shorter waits than lunch hours or early morning. Tuesdays and Wednesdays usually see fewer customers than Mondays or Fridays. If you have flexibility in when you schedule, asking the phone staff member when they see the slowest traffic helps you plan a more efficient visit.
Practical takeaway: Call your chosen Identogo location before scheduling to confirm hours, ask about wait times, and verify documentation requirements. This 3-minute phone call often prevents you from traveling to a closed location or arriving unprepared.
Scheduling Your Appointment Online and by Phone
Identogo offers two main methods for scheduling fingerprinting appointments: online scheduling and phone appointments. Understanding the differences and benefits of each helps you choose the approach that fits your situation.
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The online scheduling option works through the Identogo website. You navigate to their appointment booking system, select your preferred location from the search results, view available time slots for upcoming days, and select the time that works for you. The system asks for your contact information and the reason for your fingerprinting. Some employers or organizations provide direct links to Identogo's scheduling system configured for their specific needs—in these cases, you may see the employer's name and the appointment type pre-filled. Online scheduling typically takes 5 to 10 minutes and provides immediate confirmation via email.
Phone scheduling involves calling your chosen Identogo location directly. A staff member discusses your needs, confirms your documentation, answers questions about the process, and books you into an available time slot. This approach takes slightly longer but allows you to ask questions in real time and have a human confirm that you're scheduling the correct service type. Phone scheduling also works well if you have unusual circumstances or need clarification about documentation requirements for your specific situation.
When scheduling, whether online or by phone, you'll select from available appointment slots. Popular times fill quickly, particularly in busy urban areas. If your preferred location shows no availability for several days, consider an alternative location nearby or calling to ask about cancellations that might open up sooner. Some people schedule further out (two to three weeks away) and accept whatever time works rather than spending significant effort hunting for earlier appointments.
Confirmation details matter. If scheduling online, you receive an email with your appointment date, time, location address, and any specific instructions. Save or print this confirmation. If scheduling by phone, request that they email or text your confirmation. Write down the appointment details in your calendar, noting not just the date and time but also the specific location address and parking information if applicable.
Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled time. This buffer accounts for parking, locating the office within