A fingerprint background check is needed for various reasons such as when getting a job or when being arrested by the police. When you get a job, a fingerprint background check is needed so that your prospective employer will know some information about you such as your criminal history. As a result, the employer will consider whether you can be a good employee for them or not. So, the employer can protect them from employees who may not be the good person. When someone is arrested by the police, their fingerprint is also needed to check the previous criminal history.
A fingerprint background check is used to get information about someone where the information is collected and saved by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
Talking about a fingerprint background check, you may want to know how long it takes to take a fingerprint background check. Let’s read the explanation about taking a fingerprint background check below.
How Long Does It Take?
To search a criminal record, fingerprinting can be the first step to take. It is because your fingerprint will be run against FBI and police records. Everyone has a unique fingerprint so that a fingerprint check usually will not give incorrect information instead of name or social security number.
So, how long does it take to check a fingerprint background? Usually, it takes around 5 to 10 minutes and it can even take up to 30 minutes for you to collect your fingerprint. For the result, it varies where you are able to get the results around 1 to 7 days. However, it can delay depending on some factors. According to The Law Dictionary, when you request the check, it can take several weeks to a month to send the result through mail, but if you choose the result to be sent electronically it can be faster.
In the past, fingerprints were collected by using an ink pad where you had to press your finger in ink, stamped it on paper and then uploaded it to a database, but now the method is modern where you use a scanner to record your fingerprints electronically so that this method is more efficient.
It is also important for you to note that every state has its own rules about the fingerprint background check. Some states have a requirement for the applicant to have an identification number which is issued by the state which shows that the applicant has the legal right to request this confidential information.
The Information Shown in a Fingerprint Background Check
What information is loaded in a fingerprint background check? Well, it includes the information about any criminal arrest dates, charges, and the disposition of cases and also the basic information about your life such as your name, address, birth, and employment. And even sometimes, a simple police report is also able to be linked to the fingerprint records such as insurance information, vehicle accidents, and statements that you made.
The Way the Fingerprints Is Saved
How are the fingerprints saved? You may wonder about this thing because information about you is confidential. Well, the federal government has a lot of sources for gathering fingerprints including arrests, employment, processes from citizenship, and military service.
As explained on The Law Dictionary, the data which is collected through forms or spoken answers will be included in your fingerprint background check. And then, the records are saved in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Let’s say that an organization needs your fingerprint background check such as for employment, overseas travel, adoption, licensing, or housing. Then, the organization is able to make the request from a state identification bureau, the FBI or FBI channeler. It is important to note that the legal authority needs to be owned to be able to access these personal records.
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