Can You Get FBI Fingerprints Done Online? What Virtual Fingerprinting Is (and Isn't)
Quick answer: Partly. No website or app can capture FBI-acceptable fingerprints through your phone or webcam. With virtual fingerprinting, though, the hardest parts happen online. South Beach Apostille Translation & Notary submits your FBI request, then guides a person who is with you as they roll your prints on FD-258 cards during a live video call. We check photos of the finished cards before you mail them to the FBI. It's available anywhere in the United States, and you never have to visit a fingerprinting office.
If you've searched "FBI fingerprints online," you've probably found confusing answers. Some sites suggest it's all digital, while others say you must go in person. Here's what's actually possible and how to tell whether virtual fingerprinting is right for you.
What you can and can't do online
What happens online:
- Submitting your FBI Identity History Summary request and paying the FBI fee (we handle this for you)
- Confirming your personal information against your ID
- Live, step-by-step guidance while your fingerprints are taken
- Photo review of your completed cards before mailing
What still happens physically:
- Ink fingerprints on FD-258 cards. A second person who is with you rolls your prints while our technician directs each finger on camera.
- Mailing the cards. You send your completed cards and printed verification form to the FBI.
What can't be done online at all:
- Live Scan. It requires an in-person digital scanner. If your employer or Florida agency asked for Live Scan or FDLE Level 2, visit our Miami Beach office or book mobile fingerprinting in Miami-Dade or Broward.
- Fingerprints taken with a phone camera or webcam. A photo of your fingertips is not a fingerprint submission.
Is virtual fingerprinting legit?
Yes, when it's done the right way. The FBI accepts mailed requests with a current FD-258 fingerprint card. The FBI cares whether the card is complete and the prints are clear, not whether the technician was in the room. Virtual fingerprinting focuses on exactly that: getting a clean, complete card on the first try.
You can read the FBI's own guidance on Identity History Summary checks.
Two things to keep in mind:
- Virtual fingerprinting is built for FBI Identity History Summary requests. If a licensing board, employer, or other agency asked for FD-258 cards, confirm with them that cards completed this way are accepted.
- The FBI controls processing and results. No provider can guarantee approval or speed up the FBI.
Virtual vs. doing it yourself vs. going in person
| Do it yourself | Virtual fingerprinting | In person | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel needed | No | No | Yes |
| Expert guidance | None | Live, finger by finger | Yes |
| Prints checked before mailing | No | Yes, by photo review | Yes |
| FBI request submitted for you | No | Yes | Depends on provider |
| Live Scan available | No | No | Yes |
| Risk of avoidable rejection | Higher | Lower | Lower |
Why "do it yourself" is risky: FD-258 cards are often rejected for faint or smudged prints, fingers in the wrong box, a card printed at the wrong size (it must be exactly 8 x 8 inches), or information that doesn't match your ID. A rejection means printing new cards, redoing your prints, and waiting again.
Who virtual fingerprinting is for
- People outside South Florida, anywhere in the U.S., who don't have a convenient fingerprinting option nearby
- People with limited mobility or who can't easily leave home
- Busy professionals who can't fit an office visit into their schedule
- Anyone who needs an FBI background check for use abroad and wants the fingerprints, apostille, and translation handled by one team
What you'll need
- A second person who stays for the whole call and takes your prints. You can't fingerprint yourself.
- An unexpired photo ID and a second form of identification
- Printed FD-258 cards from the file we email you, at 100% / Actual Size
- A black ink pad, black pen, scissors, and a rigid envelope
- A device with a working camera, good lighting, and a flat surface
- About 45 to 60 minutes in a quiet, private space
For the full supply list and every step of the call, see our FBI fingerprinting online service.
Using your FBI background check abroad?
Many countries require an FBI background check with a federal apostille for visas, residency, work permits, or marriage, and some also require a sworn translation. Because we handle all three, you can go from fingerprints to a document that's ready to submit abroad without juggling providers. Learn more in How to Get an FBI Background Check Apostilled and Certified vs. Sworn Translation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get FBI fingerprints done completely online?
Not completely. The request, guidance, and quality review happen online, but your prints are still rolled in ink on FD-258 cards and mailed to the FBI.
Can I take my own fingerprints on the video call?
No. A second person who is physically with you must take your fingerprints while our technician directs them.
Can I do Live Scan online?
No. Live Scan requires an in-person scanner. In South Florida, visit our Miami Beach office or request mobile fingerprinting.
Is virtual fingerprinting available in my state?
Yes. It's available anywhere in the United States.
How long does it take to get my FBI results?
The video call takes 45 to 60 minutes. FBI processing times are set by the FBI and can change, plus mail time in both directions.
How much does virtual fingerprinting cost?
Contact us for current pricing. Request a quote or call (786) 970-0450.
Need FBI fingerprints without leaving home?
Request your virtual fingerprinting appointment · See all our fingerprinting services · Call (786) 970-0450
South Beach Apostille, Translation & Notary is a private service provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an agent of the FBI or any other government agency.
Related: Fingerprinting in Miami: In-Office, Mobile & Virtual · Live Scan vs. FD-258 · How to Get an FBI Background Check Apostilled
Related service: FBI Fingerprinting Online
