What to Expect During a Mobile Fingerprinting Appointment in Los Angeles
Mobile fingerprinting is designed to make the fingerprinting process easier, faster, and more convenient. Instead of traveling to a fingerprinting office, waiting in line, finding parking, and adjusting your day around a walk-in location, a trained fingerprint technician comes directly to you.
Los Angeles Mobile Fingerprints is operated by Anshin Mobile Notary and Live Scan, a Los Angeles-based provider of mobile fingerprinting, Live Scan, FBI fingerprinting, ink fingerprint cards, apostille support, and document services.
This article explains what clients should expect before, during, and after a mobile fingerprinting appointment in Los Angeles, including forms, identification, payment, travel fees, parking, timing, FBI electronic submission, Live Scan, and ink fingerprint cards.
Los Angeles Mobile Fingerprints provides reliable and convenient mobile fingerprinting services for individuals, businesses, healthcare professionals, legal offices, production teams, and organizations throughout Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
Proudly operated by Anshin Mobile Notary and Live Scan, we provide professional mobile fingerprinting solutions directly at your home, office, studio, hotel, workplace, healthcare facility, or other preferred location.
Our services include California DOJ Live Scan, FBI electronic fingerprint submission, ink fingerprint cards, mobile fingerprinting appointments, apostille support, and related document services. As part of Anshin Mobile Notary and Live Scan, we focus on professionalism, convenience, accuracy, and dependable communication for every appointment.
Mobile Fingerprinting Means We Come to You
Mobile fingerprinting allows the appointment to take place at the location that works best for the client. That may be a home, office, studio, hotel, healthcare facility, construction site, production location, corporate office, or other appropriate location.
Our mobile equipment is compact and designed for field use. Clients are often surprised by how small and portable the equipment is. For many electronic fingerprinting appointments, we do not need a traditional office setup, wall power, or Wi-Fi at the appointment location.
That flexibility allows electronic fingerprinting appointments to be completed in many different environments, including:
- Homes and private residences
- Corporate offices
- Studios and production offices
- Hotels
- Healthcare facilities
- Operating rooms
- Construction sites
- Backstage areas at arenas or venues
- Film sets
- Executive offices
- Private boats or yachts
This is especially useful for executives, healthcare professionals, entertainers, production teams, corporate groups, parents with infants, clients with limited mobility, and people who cannot easily visit a walk-in fingerprinting location.
Why Clients Choose Mobile Fingerprinting
Clients who book mobile fingerprinting usually understand that mobile service costs more than a standard walk-in appointment. That is expected because mobile service includes travel, scheduling coordination, equipment transport, setup, and professional on-site service.
This is similar to other mobile professional services. A plumber, electrician, locksmith, mobile notary, or mobile dog groomer charges for the convenience and logistics of coming directly to the client. Mobile fingerprinting works the same way.
Many mobile fingerprinting clients are professionals, executives, corporate teams, attorneys, healthcare workers, entertainers, production personnel, or business clients who value time, privacy, convenience, and scheduling flexibility.
Other clients book mobile appointments because they are home with infants, have limited mobility, are recovering from surgery, have transportation challenges, or need several applicants fingerprinted at one location.
We Speak With You Before Confirming the Appointment
Mobile fingerprinting is not always a simple self-service booking. Before a mobile appointment is confirmed, we first speak with the client or point of contact to understand the service type, appointment location, timing, number of applicants, parking situation, and paperwork requirements.
This step helps us determine whether the appointment involves California DOJ Live Scan, FBI electronic submission, ink fingerprint cards, or a combination of services.
After we confirm availability, location, service type, travel fee, and appointment requirements, we send the client or point of contact a booking link to confirm the appointment details. This helps document the address, applicant contact information, and any special access instructions.
This process is especially important when an assistant, HR manager, administrator, production coordinator, family member, or office manager schedules the appointment for someone else. We still need a reliable point of contact who can connect us with the applicant when we arrive.
Proactive Communication Helps the Appointment Run Smoothly
Mobile appointments work best when everyone is coordinated. In addition to automatic appointment confirmations and reminders, we also communicate directly when we are en route.
Sometimes we can arrive slightly early, and the client is happy to begin early. Other times, the client needs us to stick to the scheduled time. Either way, proactive communication helps everyone stay synchronized.
This type of communication is especially important for executive appointments, production locations, hotels, offices, healthcare settings, corporate groups, and any appointment where building access, parking, security, or timing matters.
Parking and Access Should Be Confirmed in Advance
Parking and access are part of the mobile appointment. Clients should let us know whether parking is available, whether the building validates parking, whether security check-in is required, and where the technician should go upon arrival.
If parking is not validated, unusually expensive, or difficult to access, that may be included in the quote. This is especially important for large office buildings, hotels, studios, high-rise buildings, downtown locations, healthcare facilities, and production sites.
The goal is simple: when the technician arrives, the applicant, paperwork, access, and workspace should be ready so the appointment can begin promptly.
Mobile Service Fees Are Separate from Fingerprinting Fees
Mobile service fees are separate from fingerprinting service fees and government fees. The mobile fee depends on distance, travel time, traffic, parking, timing, number of applicants, and appointment complexity.
For California Live Scan, government fees vary based on the agency, ORI code, and applicant type. We do not always know the exact government fee until the applicant information is entered into the system.
For FBI electronic submission, the quoted fee may already include government fees depending on the service being provided.
For general pricing information, visit Anshin Mobile Notary and Live Scan’s Live Scan pricing guide.
Payment Is Required At or Before Service
Payment is generally required at or before the time of service. This keeps the appointment efficient and avoids delays after the work is completed.
We offer several payment options, including:
- Apple Pay tap-to-pay
- Credit or debit card using our mobile Chase card reader
- Secure Stripe payment link
- Zelle
- Credit card payment by phone
Flexible payment options are useful when an assistant, company, HR department, office manager, or production coordinator schedules the appointment for someone else.
What to Bring to a Mobile Fingerprinting Appointment
The required documents depend on the type of fingerprinting appointment. However, every applicant should have a valid government-issued photo ID. A photo of an ID is not acceptable.
Preferred identification usually includes a driver license, state-issued ID, or passport. Other identification may be accepted depending on the agency and service type.
For more information, visit Live Scan identification requirements.
What to Bring for California Live Scan
For California DOJ Live Scan, the applicant usually needs a completed Request for Live Scan Service form from the requesting agency, employer, licensing board, school, nonprofit, or government program.
The applicant should complete the applicant portion of the form before the appointment. The requesting agency controls important information such as the ORI code, applicant type, and reason for the background check.
We recommend bringing two copies of the Request for Live Scan Service form. One copy is typically used for the submission, and the applicant may need a copy for their own records.
- Live Scan forms and fingerprinting paperwork
- Correct applicant type on your Live Scan form
- Do you need multiple copies of the Live Scan form?
We Complete the Operator Portion of the Live Scan Form
For California Live Scan appointments, the applicant usually fills out the top portion of the Request for Live Scan Service form. The Live Scan operator completes the bottom portion during the submission process.
This may include operator information, transaction details, date, submission information, and the ATI number. The ATI number is important because it allows the applicant or requesting agency to check the status of the Live Scan submission.
What to Bring for FBI Electronic Submission
For FBI electronic submission, the process is different from California DOJ Live Scan. The applicant still needs valid government-issued photo identification, but the forms and submission workflow are different.
For FBI DOCE electronic submission, we provide the form the applicant needs to complete. This service is often used for FBI background checks, immigration, travel abroad, visas, dual citizenship, apostille processing, and international documentation.
Many people incorrectly assume that FBI fingerprinting always means ink cards. That is not true. FBI submissions can often be completed electronically when the proper submission workflow is available.
What to Bring for Ink Fingerprint Cards
Ink fingerprint card appointments are different from electronic submissions. In many cases, we can provide FD-258 fingerprint cards if the applicant does not already have them.
However, the applicant still needs to understand how the top portion of the card should be completed. The agency requesting the fingerprint card may have specific instructions.
For more information, visit filling out an FD-258 fingerprint card.
Some ink card appointments also involve extra documents. For example, an out-of-state agency may require an affidavit confirming that the applicant’s identity was verified. Some clients may also ask us to sign an NDA when the appointment involves privacy-sensitive matters.
Ink Fingerprinting Requires the Right Workspace
Ink fingerprinting requires more workspace than electronic fingerprinting. We need a stable surface and enough room to prepare the card, position the applicant’s hands, roll the prints properly, and protect the quality of the fingerprints.
For that reason, ink fingerprinting is not ideal in every environment. A crowded restaurant, unstable surface, moving vehicle, or noisy public setting may not be appropriate for high-quality ink fingerprint capture.
For ink cards, the applicant also needs to give the technician enough attention and cooperation to obtain the best possible prints.
Electronic Appointments Are Often Faster Than Clients Expect
Many clients are surprised by how quickly electronic fingerprinting can be completed. Once the applicant has the correct identification and paperwork ready, many electronic appointments are completed in approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
One reason the process can move quickly is that we use streamlined intake procedures. In many cases, we scan information directly from the barcode or machine-readable section of a government-issued ID. This helps populate applicant information faster and reduces the risk of manual data-entry errors.
This is especially important for group appointments, corporate onboarding, healthcare staffing, production crews, and large applicant batches.
Ink Fingerprinting Usually Takes Longer
Ink fingerprinting usually takes longer than electronic fingerprinting. A typical ink card appointment may take approximately 10 to 15 minutes per card, depending on the applicant’s fingerprint quality, number of cards, and any additional paperwork.
That extra time is intentional. Ink cards require careful preparation and capture technique. We may need to prepare the applicant’s hands, adjust finger positioning, control pressure, and ensure the prints are clear enough for submission.
Rushing ink fingerprinting can increase the risk of rejected cards or delays.
Electronic Fingerprint Submission vs. Ink Fingerprint Cards
The correct distinction is not simply “Live Scan vs. FBI.” The better distinction is electronic fingerprint submission vs. traditional ink fingerprint cards.
Electronic fingerprint submission can include California DOJ Live Scan, FBI electronic submission, and certain other authorized digital fingerprint workflows.
Ink fingerprint cards are still used for many out-of-state licensing boards, foreign agencies, manual submissions, and situations where the requesting authority specifically requires physical cards.
FBI Electronic Fingerprinting Is a Specialized Mobile Service
Many mobile fingerprinting providers primarily offer California DOJ Live Scan. Far fewer mobile providers can also perform FBI electronic fingerprint submission in the field.
This matters because FBI electronic fingerprinting involves more than placing fingers on a scanner. The process can involve identity verification, accurate data entry, proper submission workflow, fingerprint quality review, and federal submission requirements.
For applicants who need FBI background checks for immigration, visas, dual citizenship, travel abroad, apostille processing, entertainment work, or international employment, the quality of the fingerprinting process matters.
The FBI doesn’t allow electronically submitted fingerprints to be touched up one-by-one. It requires full flat 4 for right AND left hands. This means that getting the right scan quality is key to getting the submission accepted.
Group Appointments Require Experience and Workflow Discipline
Group appointments are where experience becomes especially important. When a business, healthcare organization, production company, or corporate client needs multiple people fingerprinted, the appointment needs to move efficiently without sacrificing accuracy.
Los Angeles Mobile Fingerprints has handled high-volume mobile fingerprinting operations where applicants were processed continuously throughout the day. With the right preparation, barcode scanning, paperwork review, and workflow discipline, electronic scans can often be completed very quickly.
That includes checking identification, reviewing paperwork, entering or scanning applicant information, capturing fingerprints, completing the operator section of the Live Scan form, and moving to the next applicant.
This type of efficiency is difficult to achieve without experience, preparation, and the right mobile setup.
Fingerprint Quality Still Matters
Even when an appointment is fast, fingerprint quality remains important. The goal is not only to complete the appointment quickly. The goal is to complete it correctly.
Fingerprint quality can be affected by dry skin, worn friction ridges, hand injuries, age, occupation, frequent handwashing, medical work, construction work, and natural ridge detail.
Experienced fingerprint technicians understand how to adjust hand position, pressure, moisture, rolling technique, and capture strategy to improve print quality when possible.
What Happens After Ink Fingerprint Cards Are Completed?
For ink fingerprint cards, completing the card is usually only one step. In many cases, the applicant must still mail or courier the card to the requesting agency.
If the client wants us to courier the cards for an additional fee, we may be able to help if the client provides the proper mailing label and instructions. Otherwise, the applicant is usually responsible for sending the completed cards to the correct agency.
This is another reason clients should review the agency’s instructions before the appointment.
Private, Professional, and Confidential Mobile Appointments
Some mobile fingerprinting appointments involve privacy-sensitive circumstances. Clients may include executives, entertainers, board members, production personnel, attorneys, healthcare professionals, corporate officers, or individuals handling international documentation.
Appointments may take place at private homes, studios, hotels, corporate offices, production locations, or other controlled environments.
In some situations, clients may ask us to sign an NDA. We understand that privacy, discretion, and professionalism matter.
Mobile FBI Fingerprinting, Apostille, and International Use
Many mobile FBI fingerprinting clients need the results for immigration, visas, travel abroad, residency, dual citizenship, international employment, or business documentation.
In many international cases, the FBI background check may also need a federal apostille before another country will accept it.
Clients who need apostille, notary, or broader international document support may work through the broader services offered by Anshin Mobile Notary and Live Scan.
How to Prepare for a Mobile Fingerprinting Appointment
Before your appointment, make sure you have the correct documents, valid identification, payment method, appointment location, parking instructions, and point-of-contact information ready.
If you are scheduling for someone else, make sure the applicant knows the appointment time, understands what service they need, and has the required ID and paperwork ready.
If the appointment involves ink fingerprint cards, make sure there is a stable surface and enough time for careful print capture.
If the appointment involves multiple applicants, make sure everyone is ready and has the correct documents before the technician arrives.
Contact Us Before Booking a Mobile Fingerprinting Appointment
Because every mobile fingerprinting appointment is different, we first speak with the client or point of contact to confirm the service type, location, timing, parking/access details, number of applicants, and paperwork requirements.
After we confirm the appointment details and availability, we send a confirmation booking link so the appointment information, address, and applicant contact information are properly documented.
This coordination process helps ensure the appointment runs smoothly and professionally.
Call or Text: (310) 413-5572
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a mobile fingerprinting appointment take?
Many electronic fingerprinting appointments take approximately 5 to 10 minutes once the applicant has valid ID and paperwork ready. Ink fingerprint cards usually take longer, often about 10 to 15 minutes per card.
Can mobile fingerprinting be done at my home or office?
Yes. Mobile fingerprinting can often be done at homes, offices, hotels, studios, healthcare facilities, construction sites, production locations, and other suitable locations throughout Los Angeles.
Do I need a Request for Live Scan Service form?
For California DOJ Live Scan, yes. The requesting agency usually provides the Request for Live Scan Service form. The applicant should complete the applicant portion before the appointment.
Do I need to bring two copies of the Live Scan form?
We recommend bringing two copies of the Request for Live Scan Service form. One copy is used for the submission, and the applicant may need another copy for their own records.
Can you provide FD-258 fingerprint cards?
In many cases, yes. Los Angeles Mobile Fingerprints can provide FD-258 cards for ink fingerprinting appointments if the applicant does not already have them.
Do all mobile fingerprinting providers offer FBI electronic submission?
No. Many mobile providers focus mainly on California DOJ Live Scan. FBI electronic submission is more specialized and is not offered by every mobile fingerprinting provider.
Why do mobile fingerprinting appointments cost more?
Mobile appointments cost more because they include technician travel, equipment transport, scheduling coordination, parking, setup, and professional on-site service.
What payment methods are accepted?
Payment may be made by Apple Pay, credit or debit card, secure payment link, Zelle, or credit card by phone. Payment is generally required at or before the time of service.
Can you help with apostille services after FBI fingerprinting?
Yes. Through Anshin Mobile Notary and Live Scan, clients may also receive apostille and document authentication support for FBI background checks and international document use.