You schedule your Live Scan appointment, bring your request form and ID, get your fingerprints scanned, and assume everything is done. Then a few days later, you get a rejection letter from the California Department of Justice or FBI.
Now you need to go back, get reprinted, and wait all over again — potentially delaying a job start date, license application, or volunteer clearance.
Live Scan rejections are frustrating, but they’re also common. Fingerprints get rejected for several reasons, most of which have nothing to do with your criminal history. The good news is that many rejections are preventable if you know what to watch out for.
The Two Main Reasons for Live Scan Rejections
Live Scan submissions are usually rejected for one of two reasons — poor fingerprint quality or errors in the information entered during the scanning process.
- Poor Fingerprint Quality — This is the most common reason for rejection. The scanning equipment captures your fingerprint images digitally, but if those images aren’t clear enough, the DOJ or FBI systems can’t match them to their databases. Even minor issues like smudges, uneven pressure, or worn fingerprints can make the images unreadable.
- Data Entry Errors — Your Live Scan request form contains critical information that gets transmitted along with your fingerprints. If there’s a typo in your name, an incorrect birth date, a transposed number in your Social Security number, or missing information in required fields, the system may reject the entire submission.
Both types of rejections require resubmission, which means scheduling another appointment and potentially paying additional fees — though most Live Scan providers will rescan your prints at no charge if the original scan was done at their location and the rejection was due to quality issues.
Why Fingerprint Quality Matters
The DOJ and FBI use fingerprints to search their criminal history databases. They’re looking for matches based on the unique patterns of ridges and valleys in your fingerprints. If the scanned image doesn’t clearly show those patterns, the system can’t determine whether you have a record or not.
Poor quality fingerprints can result from dry or cracked skin, calluses from manual work, cuts or scars on your fingertips, worn fingerprints from age or genetics, moisture on your hands during scanning, or inadequate pressure when your fingers contact the scanner.
The FBI actually uses higher standards than the California DOJ when evaluating fingerprint quality. This means your prints can be accepted by the DOJ but rejected by the FBI if your background check requires both. When that happens, you need to be reprinted using your original ATI number.
Common Causes of Poor Quality Scans
Some fingerprint quality issues are within your control. Others aren’t.
Dry or Cracked Skin
This is one of the most common problems, especially in dry climates or during winter months. When your skin is too dry, the ridges in your fingerprints don’t show up clearly on the scanner.
You can help prevent this by moisturizing your hands regularly in the days leading up to your Live Scan appointment. Apply lotion daily, but skip it on the day of your appointment — you want your hands moisturized but not greasy when you get scanned.
Calluses and Occupational Wear
If you work with your hands, you may have calluses or worn fingerprints that are difficult to scan clearly. Construction workers, mechanics, nurses, food service workers, and others who use their hands frequently often experience this issue.
There’s not much you can do to prevent this type of rejection. Let your Live Scan technician know if you work with your hands so they can take extra care during the scanning process.
Cuts, Scars, or Injuries
Fresh cuts, bandaged fingers, or recent injuries can prevent proper scanning. If you have an injured finger, you may need to reschedule your appointment until it heals.
Old scars or permanent damage to your fingerprints can also cause ongoing scanning difficulties. If you’ve had this problem before, tell your technician so they’re aware.
Long or Curved Fingernails
Extremely long fingernails or nails with a pronounced curve can prevent your fingertips from making full contact with the scanning surface. Trim your nails before your appointment if this might be an issue.
Data Entry Errors That Cause Rejections
Even perfect fingerprints can be rejected if the information submitted with them is incorrect or incomplete.
Your Live Scan request form must include accurate personal information — full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and other identifying details. This information must match what’s on your identification and what the requesting agency has on file.
Common data entry errors include misspelled names, transposed numbers in dates of birth or Social Security numbers, missing middle names or middle initials, incorrect addresses, and incomplete or inaccurate requesting agency information.
The Live Scan operator enters this information during your appointment, so it’s important to verify everything before they submit your fingerprints. Double-check that your name is spelled correctly, your birth date is accurate, and all required fields are complete.
If there’s a discrepancy between what’s on your ID and what the requesting agency provided, let the technician know immediately so it can be resolved before submission.
What Happens If Your Prints Are Rejected
If your Live Scan submission is rejected, the DOJ or FBI will send a rejection letter to the requesting agency, who will then notify you. This letter will include your original ATI number — the identification number for your submission.
You’ll need to return to a Live Scan location for resubmission. Bring your rejection letter with you, as the technician will need the ATI number to process the resubmission correctly.
Most Live Scan providers, including OfficeLOCALE, will rescan and resubmit your fingerprints at no additional charge if the original scan was done at their location and the rejection was due to quality issues. If you go to a different location, they may charge their rolling fee but shouldn’t charge the government fees again.
If your fingerprints are rejected twice due to poor quality — meaning the scanning equipment simply can’t capture clear images of your prints — the process changes. After two rejections, the DOJ will perform a name check instead of a fingerprint check. This uses your personal information to search criminal records rather than your biometric data.
For FBI rejections, if your prints are rejected twice, your requesting agency must submit a specific form requesting an FBI name check. This must be done within 75 days of the second rejection notice.
How to Minimize the Risk of Rejection
While you can’t guarantee your Live Scan will be accepted, there are several things you can do to improve your chances.
Moisturize your hands regularly in the days before your appointment, but don’t use lotion on the day of the scan. Trim long fingernails that might interfere with proper finger placement. Avoid scheduling Live Scan appointments immediately after activities that dry out your hands, like washing dishes or working in cold weather without gloves.
If you’ve had fingerprints rejected in the past, let your technician know before they start. They can take extra time and care to capture the clearest possible images.
Bring proper identification — a California driver’s license or U.S. passport. Make sure the name on your ID matches the name on your Live Scan request form.
Review all information the technician enters before they submit your prints. Check spelling, dates, numbers, and make sure nothing is missing.
Choose an experienced, certified Live Scan provider. OfficeLOCALE is a Certifix-affiliated center approved by the California Department of Justice, which means we have the proper equipment and training to capture high-quality fingerprints that meet DOJ and FBI standards.
Getting It Right the First Time
Most Live Scan rejections are preventable. Using an experienced provider, preparing your hands properly, and ensuring accurate data entry significantly reduces the likelihood of rejection.
If you do receive a rejection notice, don’t panic. Bring the letter to OfficeLOCALE and we’ll rescan your prints at no additional charge if we performed your original scan. We’ll take extra care to ensure the best possible image quality.
To schedule your Live Scan appointment in Thousand Oaks or Newbury Park, call OfficeLOCALE at 805-777-8866. We’ll make sure your fingerprints are captured correctly the first time so you can move forward with your employment, licensing, or volunteer application without delays.
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