Los Angeles Mobile Fingerprints provides mobile Live Scan fingerprinting, FBI fingerprint services, FD-258 fingerprint cards, and mobile fingerprinting events throughout Los Angeles County.
Proudly operated and administered by Anshin Mobile Notary and Live Scan, we regularly receive calls from applicants who are confused about Live Scan pricing and want to understand why different providers quote dramatically different amounts for what appears to be the same service.
Why One Live Scan Provider Quotes $30 And Another Quotes $79
We hear some version of this question almost every day:
“I called one Live Scan provider and they quoted me $30. Another provider quoted me $79. Why is there such a big difference?”
In many cases, there may not actually be much difference at all.
The confusion usually comes from the fact that most applicants do not realize that a California Live Scan fee is typically made up of two separate parts.
Some providers quote only one part of the fee. Others quote the total cost.
As a result, consumers often end up comparing numbers that do not represent the same thing.
Most California Live Scan Fees Have Two Parts
A typical California Live Scan fee consists of:
- A rolling fee charged by the Live Scan provider.
- Government processing fees charged by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and, in some cases, the FBI.
Many applicants do not learn this until after they have already started calling around for quotes.
Learn why Live Scan quotes vary.
What Is The Rolling Fee?
The rolling fee is the portion of the cost charged by the fingerprint provider.
This fee generally covers:
- Identity verification.
- Fingerprint capture.
- Data entry.
- Equipment maintenance.
- Live Scan software.
- Office expenses.
- Submission processing.
- Compliance with California DOJ requirements.
The rolling fee is the portion of the transaction that the fingerprint provider controls.
For example, a provider may charge a rolling fee of $30.
What Are The Government Fees?
The government fees are separate from the rolling fee.
These fees are collected on behalf of government agencies and are transmitted through the Live Scan system.
Depending on the type of background check being requested, the fees may include:
- California DOJ fees.
- FBI fees.
- Additional agency-specific fees.
The important thing to understand is that these fees are generally not retained by the Live Scan provider.
They are determined by the requesting agency and the type of background check being performed.
How Two Providers Can Quote Different Prices For The Same Live Scan
Imagine an applicant calls two different providers.
The first provider says:
“Our Live Scan fee is $30.”
The second provider says:
“Your total Live Scan cost is $79.”
Many applicants immediately assume the first provider is dramatically cheaper.
However, that may not be true.
The first provider may only be quoting the rolling fee.
The second provider may be quoting the complete cost, including both the rolling fee and the government fees.
In that situation, both providers may actually cost approximately the same amount.
The Most Important Question To Ask
Before scheduling a Live Scan appointment, applicants should always ask:
“Is that the total cost, including all DOJ and FBI fees?”
That single question often eliminates most pricing confusion.
It allows applicants to compare complete quotes rather than comparing only part of the total fee.
Different Applicants Often Pay Different Government Fees
Another source of confusion is that not all Live Scan submissions have the same government fees.
The fees often depend on the requesting agency and the purpose of the background check.
For example:
- Employment applicants may have one fee structure.
- Professional license applicants may have another.
- Volunteers may have reduced fees.
- Personal Record Review applicants may have different government fees altogether.
Two people standing in the same office on the same day may pay different amounts because the requesting agencies require different background searches.
Live Scan Providers Do Not Control Most Government Fees
Many applicants assume fingerprint providers determine the total cost of every Live Scan transaction.
That is not usually the case.
While providers generally establish their own rolling fees, the government fees are often established by the agencies involved in the background check process.
As a result, two applicants requesting different types of background checks may receive different quotes even from the same provider.
Why Accurate Quotes Matter
One reason we spend time discussing fees with applicants is because we want them to understand exactly what they are paying for before they arrive.
Nothing frustrates applicants more than believing a Live Scan appointment will cost one amount and then discovering additional fees later.
A complete quote should clearly identify the total cost of the submission.
That allows applicants to make informed decisions and avoid surprises.
Price Is Only One Part Of The Equation
While pricing is important, applicants should also consider what they are receiving for the fee.
A professional Live Scan appointment involves much more than simply placing fingers on a scanner.
California Live Scan providers are expected to verify identification, enter applicant information accurately, capture fingerprints that meet quality standards, and comply with California DOJ requirements.
Applicants can learn more about those responsibilities in our article Why We Scan IDs During Mobile Fingerprinting Appointments.
What Happens When Fingerprints Are Rejected?
Another factor applicants often overlook is fingerprint quality.
If fingerprints cannot be successfully processed, delays may occur.
Applicants can learn more in our article What Causes Fingerprint Rejections During Live Scan?.
Operated By Anshin Mobile Notary and Live Scan
Los Angeles Mobile Fingerprints is proudly operated and administered by Anshin Mobile Notary and Live Scan.
Additional resources include:
- Live Scan Prices Near Me
- California Live Scan Pricing Guide
- Live Scan Fingerprinting Services
- ATI Number Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did one Live Scan provider quote me $30 while another quoted $79?
One provider may be quoting only the rolling fee while the other provider is quoting the total cost, including DOJ and FBI fees.
What is a rolling fee?
The rolling fee is the portion of the Live Scan cost charged by the fingerprint provider for capturing and processing fingerprints.
Do Live Scan providers keep the DOJ and FBI fees?
Generally, no. Government processing fees are typically collected as part of the Live Scan transaction and transmitted through the system.
Do all Live Scan applicants pay the same government fees?
No. Government fees often vary depending on the requesting agency and the type of background check being performed.
What question should I ask before scheduling a Live Scan appointment?
Ask whether the quoted amount includes all DOJ and FBI fees so you can compare total costs accurately.