How to Schedule and Complete an Identogo Appointment

What Identogo does and why you might need an appointment

Identogo is a fingerprinting and background check service used by government agencies, employers, and licensing boards. When you need official fingerprints taken — for a job, a professional license, a volunteer position, or a government clearance — Identogo operates the locations where you go to have that done. An Identogo appointment is your reserved time slot at one of their service centers to get fingerprinted and have your background check initiated.

You do not always book the appointment yourself. Sometimes your employer, a licensing board, or a government agency sends you to Identogo and provides you with a transaction number or a link. Other times you book directly through Identogo's website or by phone. Either way, the appointment is the first step — you show up, get fingerprinted, and the service center sends your prints to whoever requested them.

Key Takeaways

• Identogo appointments are booked through their website, by phone, or sometimes through a link sent by your employer or agency.
• You will need a valid government-issued photo ID and the transaction number or agency code provided by whoever requested your fingerprints.
• The appointment itself takes 10 to 15 minutes, and you receive a receipt showing your prints were submitted.
• Fingerprint results go directly to the agency that requested them, not to you, so confirm with that agency about timing and next steps.
• If you miss your appointment, you can reschedule through the same method you used to book it.

How to book an Identogo appointment online

Go to the Identogo website and select "Schedule an Appointment." You will be asked to enter the transaction number or agency code that was provided to you — this is the key piece of information that links your appointment to the correct background check request. If you do not have a transaction number, the website will ask you to enter the name of the agency or employer that requested your fingerprints.

Next, enter your zip code or city to find service centers near you. Identogo has locations in most states, often inside UPS stores, pharmacies, or dedicated fingerprinting centers. The website will show you available dates and times at each location. Select the one that works for your schedule and confirm your appointment. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details, location address, and what to bring.

Keep that confirmation email or take a screenshot. You do not need to print it, but having the appointment number and location handy makes check-in faster.

Booking by phone or through an agency link

If you received a link from your employer, a licensing board, or a government agency, that link usually takes you directly to Identogo's scheduling system with your transaction number already filled in. You just select your location and time. This is the fastest route because you skip the step of entering the transaction number yourself.

If you prefer to book by phone, call Identogo's customer service line. The number is on your confirmation letter or the agency's instructions. Have your transaction number ready. A representative will help you find a location and time, and they will confirm your appointment over the phone. You will still receive a confirmation email afterward.

What to bring and what happens at your appointment

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID all work. Bring your appointment confirmation (email or screenshot) and your transaction number if you have it written down separately. That is all you need. You do not need to bring documents related to the job or license you are seeking.

When you arrive, check in at the front desk and give your name and appointment time. A technician will call you back, verify your identity against your photo ID, and take your fingerprints digitally. The process takes 10 to 15 minutes. The technician will scan all 10 fingers and your palms if required. You will see the prints on a screen to confirm they are clear enough. If any print is too faint, the technician will re-scan that finger.

At the end, you receive a receipt showing that your fingerprints were submitted. Keep this receipt — it proves you completed the appointment. The fingerprints are sent electronically to the agency or employer that requested them, not to you.

Understanding the timeline after your appointment

Your fingerprints are submitted the same day as your appointment. However, how long it takes for results to come back depends on who requested them. An employer's background check might take 3 to 5 business days. A government agency or professional license board might take 2 to 4 weeks. Some agencies prioritize certain requests, so timing varies.

The results go directly to the agency that requested your fingerprints, not to Identogo and not to you. If you need to know the status, contact the employer or agency directly — they can tell you whether results have arrived. Do not call Identogo asking about your background check results; they do not have that information.

What to do if you need to reschedule or miss your appointment

If you need to change your appointment time, log back into the Identogo website using your confirmation email or transaction number. You can usually reschedule up to 24 hours before your appointment. Select a new date and time, and you will receive a new confirmation email. If you cannot reschedule online, call customer service with your confirmation number.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, contact the agency or employer that requested your fingerprints. They may need to resubmit the request, which means you will receive a new transaction number and have to schedule a new appointment. Missing an appointment does not automatically cancel your background check request, but it does delay it. The sooner you reschedule, the sooner the process moves forward.

Common issues and what they mean

If you arrive and the technician says your fingerprints are too faint or unclear, they will re-scan when ready. This is normal and does not require a new appointment. Sometimes dry skin, scars, or calluses make prints harder to capture, but the technician has techniques to work around this. If prints still cannot be captured clearly after a few attempts, the technician will document this and send what they have. The agency that requested your prints will contact you if they need you to return for another attempt.

If you show up and your transaction number is not in the system, it means the agency or employer has not yet submitted the request, or there is a typo in the number. Check your confirmation letter or email for the correct number. If the number is correct and still not found, contact the agency directly — they may need to resubmit the request before you can be fingerprinted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk in without an appointment, or do I have to schedule ahead?

Most Identogo locations require an appointment and do not accept walk-ins. Scheduling ahead ensures a technician is available and your transaction is in the system. If you are in a time crunch, call the location directly — some centers have same-day or next-day openings, especially in larger cities.

What if I do not have a transaction number?

Contact the employer, licensing board, or government agency that requested your fingerprints. They will provide you with a transaction number or a direct link to schedule. Without this, Identogo cannot link your fingerprints to the correct background check request.

Do I get a copy of my fingerprint results?

No. Your fingerprints go directly to the agency that requested them. You receive only a receipt showing you completed the appointment. If you need a copy of your background check results, request them from the employer or agency — they are the ones who receive the official report.

What if I have a name change or moved since I submitted the background check request?

Tell the technician at your appointment. They will note any discrepancies between your ID and the name on the request. The agency that requested your prints will see this note and can follow up with you if needed. Do not try to hide a name change — it will come up during the background check anyway.

How much does an Identogo appointment cost?

Identogo does not charge a fee for the fingerprinting service itself. However, some employers or agencies pass along a fee to you as part of the hiring or licensing process. Check your confirmation letter or contact the agency to see whether you owe a fee and to whom.