Live Scan vs ink card (FD-258) fingerprints: which do you need?

Last reviewed: September 2026. Registration Leaders is a private business. We are not the California Department of Justice (DOJ), the FBI, the DMV or any government agency. This guide is general information based on DOJ and state licensing board publications; always follow the instructions from the agency that asked for your fingerprints.

The short answer

Live Scan captures your fingerprints digitally and sends them electronically to the California DOJ, and to the FBI when the request calls for a federal check. It is the standard method for most California employment, licensing, certification and volunteer background checks.

Ink fingerprint cards, usually the FBI's FD-258 card, are paper cards rolled with ink. They are mainly used when you are outside California, when an out-of-state or federal agency asks for cards, or when the agency's instructions specifically call for them.

You do not get to choose freely. The agency or employer that requested your fingerprints decides which method it accepts.

How Live Scan works

1. The agency gives you a form. The DOJ says the background check process begins when an applicant agency provides you with a Request for Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016). The agency fills in its own section, including its identifying information and the type of check.
2. You go to a Live Scan operator. You bring the form and valid photo ID. The DOJ keeps a list of public Live Scan sites on its website.
3. Your prints are scanned. The operator captures your fingerprints electronically and transmits them with your form information.
4. You get an ATI number. At the end of the session you should receive an Applicant Transaction Identifier (ATI) number. Keep it; it is how the transaction is tracked.
5. The results go to the agency, not to you, for employment and licensing checks.

When ink cards (FD-258) are used

• You live outside California. Some California licensing boards, such as the Court Reporters Board, say they cannot receive results from Live Scan locations outside California, and ask out-of-state applicants to mail FD-258 cards instead, following the board's instructions.
• An agency outside California asks for cards, for example for a license or job in another state.
• Federal requests. Some federal processes, such as requesting your own FBI Identity History Summary, can use fingerprint cards. Follow the FBI's current instructions at fbi.gov.
• Your agency's instructions say so. Some agencies supply their own cards or require a specific number of cards.

Checking your own California record

If you want to see your own California criminal history record, the DOJ has a Record Review process that uses a special version of the Live Scan form (BCIA 8016RR). Instructions are on the DOJ's website.

What to bring

• The Request for Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016) from your employer or agency, with the agency section filled in, plus extra copies if the agency asks for them
• Valid, unexpired photo identification. The DOJ says expired identification will not be accepted
• For ink cards: the FD-258 cards and instructions from the agency, if they sent them
• Any billing number or payment information the agency gave you
• Payment for the rolling fee and any government processing fees you are responsible for

What it costs

According to the DOJ, rolling fees vary from location to location and are set by the Live Scan providers. Government fees for the state and federal checks are separate, and some licenses or certifications have their own fees on top. Your agency can tell you which government fees apply and whether it pays them.

Common mistakes

• Showing up without the agency's form, or with the agency section blank
• Bringing expired ID
• Using ink cards when the agency wanted Live Scan, or the other way around
• Losing the ATI number before the check is complete

Official sources

• Official source: California DOJ, Fingerprint Background Checks
• Official source: California DOJ, Live Scan Locations (fees and ID)
• Official source: California DOJ, Criminal Records: Request Your Own
• Example licensing board instructions for out-of-state applicants: Court Reporters Board of California, Fingerprint Information