California DOJ — Live Scan Applicant Guide
California DOJ applicant instructions and public Live Scan provider directory.[1]
Source checked October 26, 2026[1]oag.ca.gov
Opens this office’s own website. CountyWiki does not process applications, take payments or provide personal records.
Contact details & office locations ↓Online services & information
Use the links below for official services and provider information. Check each service’s instructions and service area.
Use the DOJ county selector, then contact the actual operator for current fees, hours, payment methods and appointments. No individual provider locations have been independently reviewed here.
Service area: California statewide information and programme access; personal eligibility and provider availability require confirmation. [2]
Before you start
- Information & documents
- Bring valid photo ID. The DOJ directory says expired ID is not accepted. [6]
- Payments
- The rolling fee is provider-specific and may be added to DOJ/FBI fees and other charges. Ask the actual provider for the complete cost. [7]
- Eligibility & access
- BNR sites only serve applicants with an agency billing number; they do not collect government fees, but may collect rolling/provider fees. [8]
- Appointments
- Contact the actual operator before visiting; directory hours, charges and appointments can change. [9]
Obtain the correct request form from the agency requiring your fingerprints. DOJ returns applicant results to that agency.
Service area: California statewide information and programme access; personal eligibility and provider availability require confirmation. [2]
Before you start
- Information & documents
- Get the requesting agency’s instructions and form before fingerprinting; the agency supplies its identifying information. [5]
- Payments
- Confirm accepted payment methods with the operator. [10]
- Availability
- Applicant results are returned to the requesting agency; use that agency for follow-up. [11]
The requesting agency must supply its authorized information. General-use, school, CalVECHS and record-review request forms are separate.
Service area: California statewide information and programme access; personal eligibility and provider availability require confirmation. [2]
Before you start
- Information & documents · Fingerprinting performed outside California
- The agency page requires FD-258 hard cards for fingerprinting outside California; it does not offer out-of-state Live Scan. [20]
- Information & documents · Originating Agency Identifier
- The requesting agency needs an assigned DOJ ORI before fingerprints are submitted. [21]
- Information & documents · Applicant type versus title
- Ensure the agency’s application type and purpose/title agree; a conflict may reject the transaction. [22]
- Information & documents · Authorized level of service
- Where authorized, the form must request the FBI level explicitly to receive an FBI response. [23]
- Payments · Agency billing versus applicant payment
- Enter the agency billing number when assigned; otherwise prepare to pay the transaction’s applicable fees to the operator. [24]
- Availability · National noncriminal-justice background-check privacy rights
- The attached applicant-rights notice provides an opportunity to complete or challenge record accuracy before a suitability determination. [30]
Use DOJ’s agency instructions for reprints and correction questions; operator mistakes, missing checks and FBI-quality rejections have different consequences.
Service area: California statewide information and programme access; personal eligibility and provider availability require confirmation. [2]
Before you start
- Information & documents · Rejected fingerprint resubmission
- A rejected-fingerprint resubmission needs the original ATI to avoid charging the agency again. [25]
- Payments · Agency omission or form error
- If the agency omitted an FBI request or made other form errors, DOJ says a new fingerprint transaction and fees are required. [26]
- Payments · Live Scan operator data-entry error
- DOJ says most operator-entry errors require a new paid processing transaction; the operator should not charge a second rolling fee when it made the mistake. Discuss processing-fee arrangements with that operator. [27]
- Information & documents · FBI fingerprint-quality rejection
- An FBI quality rejection can occur after DOJ acceptance; reprint using the original ATI. [28]
- Deadlines · After the second FBI quality rejection
- For the stated FBI name-check route, the two rejections must have the same applicant type/title and DOJ must receive the request within 75 days of the second notice. [29]
Read the authorized agency’s status-check instructions; individual applicants should contact their requesting agency.
Service area: California statewide information and programme access; personal eligibility and provider availability require confirmation. [2]
Before you start
- Information & documents · Status tool identifiers; no query performed
- The authorized agency’s transaction-status tool needs the operator-provided 10-digit ATI and the applicant’s birth date. [16]
- Availability · Individual applicant status inquiries
- Applicants should direct status questions to the requesting agency, which makes the determination. [17]
- Processing time · Agency mailed-result inquiries
- Agencies receiving mailed results should allow at least seven days before a status inquiry. [18]
- Availability · Meaning of a DOJ delay notice
- A manual-review delay notice does not itself establish that an applicant has criminal information. [19]
Fees
Fees are quoted only when a source document supports the amount and conditions.
| Service | Amount | Conditions & source |
|---|---|---|
| General employment — State CORI processing (dated DOJ schedule) | $32.00per submission | Only the named purpose and government fee column. The official linked schedule is printed “As of August 17, 2012 - Subject to Change”; confirm the current applicable government fee with the requesting agency. Rolling/provider fees and other applicable columns are additional. N/A is not zero. No current effective date is established.[34] |
| General employment — Federal CORI processing (dated DOJ schedule) | $17.00per submission | Only the named purpose and government fee column. The official linked schedule is printed “As of August 17, 2012 - Subject to Change”; confirm the current applicable government fee with the requesting agency. Rolling/provider fees and other applicable columns are additional. N/A is not zero. No current effective date is established.[35] |
| Nonprofit human-resource/youth-organization volunteer — State CORI processing (dated DOJ schedule) | $0.00per submission | Only the named purpose and government fee column. The official linked schedule is printed “As of August 17, 2012 - Subject to Change”; confirm the current applicable government fee with the requesting agency. Rolling/provider fees and other applicable columns are additional. N/A is not zero. No current effective date is established.[36] |
| Nonprofit human-resource/youth-organization volunteer — Federal CORI processing (dated DOJ schedule) | $15.00per submission | Only the named purpose and government fee column. The official linked schedule is printed “As of August 17, 2012 - Subject to Change”; confirm the current applicable government fee with the requesting agency. Rolling/provider fees and other applicable columns are additional. N/A is not zero. No current effective date is established.[37] |
| In-Home Support Services employment — State CORI processing (dated DOJ schedule) | $32.00per submission | Only the named purpose and government fee column. The official linked schedule is printed “As of August 17, 2012 - Subject to Change”; confirm the current applicable government fee with the requesting agency. Rolling/provider fees and other applicable columns are additional. N/A is not zero. No current effective date is established.[38] |
| General certificate/license/permit — State CORI processing (dated DOJ schedule) | $32.00per submission | Only the named purpose and government fee column. The official linked schedule is printed “As of August 17, 2012 - Subject to Change”; confirm the current applicable government fee with the requesting agency. Rolling/provider fees and other applicable columns are additional. N/A is not zero. No current effective date is established.[39] |
| General certificate/license/permit — Federal CORI processing (dated DOJ schedule) | $17.00per submission | Only the named purpose and government fee column. The official linked schedule is printed “As of August 17, 2012 - Subject to Change”; confirm the current applicable government fee with the requesting agency. Rolling/provider fees and other applicable columns are additional. N/A is not zero. No current effective date is established.[40] |
These are individual fee items, not a quote for your total. Other charges or exemptions may apply; confirm the total with the office.
Forms & documents
Official forms and document pages for this office’s services.
- Public applicant Live Scan provider directory (opens in a new tab)web[12]
- BCIA 8016 Request for Live Scan Service — general use, with privacy notices (opens in a new tab)PDF[31]
- Guidelines for completing Request for Live Scan Service forms (opens in a new tab)PDF[32]
- Applicant fingerprint processing fee schedule — printed as of August 17, 2012, subject to change (opens in a new tab)PDF[33]
Sources & last checked8 source pages · 41 citations
Sources were checked by an AI-assisted research process. A checked website does not mean every service or fee on it has been reviewed.
- [1] California Department of Justice — doj-applicants (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicants | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — doj-identity
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) provides an automated service for criminal history background checks that may be required as a condition of employment, licensing, certification, foreign adoptions or VISA/Immigration purposes.
- [2] California Department of Justice — doj-locations (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Live Scan Locations | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — doj-scope
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Below is a location search where Live Scan fingerprinting services are available to the public. This search is updated as additional information is received. However, applicants are encouraged to contact the Live Scan providers in advance to verify their current operating hours, fees, etc.
- [3] California Department of Justice — doj-locations (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Live Scan Locations | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — service-livescan-locations
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Below is a location search where Live Scan fingerprinting services are available to the public.
- [4] California Department of Justice — doj-applicants (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicants | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — service-livescan-prepare
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Here is basic information for individuals needing to submit fingerprints to the DOJ for background checks.
- [5] California Department of Justice — doj-applicants (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicants | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — rule-livescan-form
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
If you are applying for employment, license, certificate or permit with an applicant agency requiring a background check, you must get the instructions and the forms required for fingerprinting services from that agency. The agency will complete its information to ensure accuracy. You will need to add your personal information to the form before getting fingerprinted.
- [6] California Department of Justice — doj-locations (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Live Scan Locations | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — rule-livescan-id
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Applicants must present valid photo identification to the Live Scan Operator. Expired identification cards will not be accepted.
- [7] California Department of Justice — doj-locations (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Live Scan Locations | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — rule-livescan-rolling-fee
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Rolling fees vary from location to location and are set by the Live Scan providers. Live Scan providers may charge fees in addition to a rolling fee and government fees. Contact the Live Scan providers directly to inquire about any additional service fees.
- [8] California Department of Justice — doj-locations (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Live Scan Locations | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — rule-livescan-bnr
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Locations identified by BNR (Billing Number Required) provide live scan services only to applicants with agency billing numbers identified on their Live Scan forms. These sites may collect rolling fees or other Live Scan provider fees. They do not collect government fees.
- [9] California Department of Justice — doj-locations (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Live Scan Locations | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — rule-livescan-provider-check
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
applicants are encouraged to contact the Live Scan providers in advance to verify their current operating hours, fees, etc.
- [10] California Department of Justice — doj-applicants (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicants | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — rule-livescan-payments
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Be sure to check for any restrictions on method of payment, such as cash or money order only.
- [11] California Department of Justice — doj-applicants (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicants | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — rule-livescan-result-destination
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Once the submission is received and processed, the DOJ will respond to the applicant agency either electronically or via U.S. mail.
- [12] California Department of Justice — doj-locations (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Live Scan Locations | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — form-livescan-directory
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Live Scan Locations
- [13] California Department of Justice — doj-forms (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Forms for Applicant Agencies: | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — service-livescan-forms
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
BCIA 8016 – Request for Live Scan Service (General Use)
- [14] California Department of Justice — doj-agency-faq (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Frequently Asked Questions - Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — service-livescan-corrections
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
What if I filled out the Live Scan form correctly, but the Live Scan operator transposed numbers, or left information off the submission?
- [15] California Department of Justice — doj-agencies (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — service-livescan-status
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
If a requesting agency has not yet received results and digital Live Scan fingerprints were submitted, the agency can use the Applicant Background Check Status tool to check the status of the transaction.
- [16] California Department of Justice — doj-agencies (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — detail-livescan-status-identifiers
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
The 10-digit ATI number provided by the Live Scan operator and the applicant’s date of birth are required to conduct a search.
- [17] California Department of Justice — doj-agencies (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — detail-livescan-applicant-followup
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Questions or status inquiries originating from the applicant should be directed to the agency that made the background check request, not to DOJ. DOJ cannot respond to these requests as DOJ is not the determining agency.
- [18] California Department of Justice — doj-agencies (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — detail-livescan-mail-result-inquiry
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Agencies that receive results by U.S. mail should allow a minimum of seven days before making a status inquiry.
- [19] California Department of Justice — doj-agencies (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — detail-livescan-delay-not-record
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
When manual review of a fingerprint transaction is required, DOJ will send a delay notification. A delay notification does not necessarily indicate an applicant has criminal information on their record.
- [20] California Department of Justice — doj-agencies (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — detail-livescan-outside-state
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Applicants fingerprinting outside the State of California cannot use Live Scan. Out-of-state applicants must complete a Fingerprint Hard Card (FD-258).
- [21] California Department of Justice — doj-instructions-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-instructions-pdf — detail-livescan-ori — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
This is a number assigned by DOJ to identify authorized users. Each agency must have an assigned ORI prior to submitting fingerprints.
- [22] California Department of Justice — doj-instructions-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-instructions-pdf — detail-livescan-title-conflict — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
If the Application Type and Title conflict (e.g., Foster Family License applicant type, and Petition for Adoption application title) the transaction may be rejected.
- [23] California Department of Justice — doj-instructions-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-instructions-pdf — detail-livescan-fbi-selection — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
In those situations where the FBI level of service is permitted, you must check the FBI box or you will not receive a response from the FBI.
- [24] California Department of Justice — doj-instructions-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-instructions-pdf — detail-livescan-billing-number — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
If the agency has been assigned a billing number by the Department of Justice, that number should be recorded here. If the agency does not have a billing number, the applicant should be prepared to pay all fees associated with the transaction directly to the Live Scan operator.
- [25] California Department of Justice — doj-instructions-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-instructions-pdf — detail-livescan-original-ati — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
If the applicant’s fingerprints were previously rejected and are now being re-submitted, the ATI from the ORIGINAL Live Scan Request form must be included or the agency will be charged again for the transaction.
- [26] California Department of Justice — doj-agency-faq (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Frequently Asked Questions - Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — detail-livescan-missing-fbi
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
You will have to send the applicant to be fingerprinted again – as if it was the initial transaction. All fees will be charged and have to be remitted the second time.
- [27] California Department of Justice — doj-agency-faq (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Frequently Asked Questions - Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — detail-livescan-operator-error
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Unfortunately, with the volume of fingerprint transactions submitted, the DOJ cannot correct most errors. In most cases, you will have to send the applicant to be fingerprinted again – as if it was the initial transaction. All fees will be charged again. The Live Scan operator should not charge a rolling fee the second time, if the mistake was his/hers. Also, you may be able to work out a compromise on paying the processing fees with the Live Scan operator.
- [28] California Department of Justice — doj-agency-faq (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Frequently Asked Questions - Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — detail-livescan-fbi-rejection
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may reject fingerprints even if the images were accepted by the DOJ. If this happens, the applicant will need to be reprinted using the original ATI (OATI) submission number.
- [29] California Department of Justice — doj-agency-faq (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Frequently Asked Questions - Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — detail-livescan-fbi-name-window
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
NOTE: Both rejections must be for the same applicant type and applicant title. The name check must be received by DOJ within 75 days of the second rejection notice.
- [30] California Department of Justice — doj-request-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-request-pdf — detail-livescan-privacy — page 4
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
If you have a criminal history record, the officials making a determination of your suitability for the employment, license, or other benefit must provide you the opportunity to complete or challenge the accuracy of the information in the record.
- [31] California Department of Justice — doj-request-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-request-pdf — form-livescan-request — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
REQUEST FOR LIVE SCAN SERVICE
- [32] California Department of Justice — doj-instructions-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-instructions-pdf — form-livescan-instructions — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING “REQUEST FOR LIVE SCAN SERVICE FORM”
- [33] California Department of Justice — doj-fees-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-fees-pdf — form-livescan-fee-schedule — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
APPLICANT FINGERPRINT PROCESSING FEES (As of August 17, 2012 - Subject to Change)
- [34] California Department of Justice — doj-fees-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-fees-pdf — fee-employment-state — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Employment General $32 $17 N/A N/A N/A N/A
- [35] California Department of Justice — doj-fees-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-fees-pdf — fee-employment-federal — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Employment General $32 $17 N/A N/A N/A N/A
- [36] California Department of Justice — doj-fees-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-fees-pdf — fee-nonprofit-volunteer-state — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Human Resource Agency/Youth Org. (non-profit) $0 $15 N/A N/A N/A N/A
- [37] California Department of Justice — doj-fees-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-fees-pdf — fee-nonprofit-volunteer-federal — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Human Resource Agency/Youth Org. (non-profit) $0 $15 N/A N/A N/A N/A
- [38] California Department of Justice — doj-fees-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-fees-pdf — fee-ihss-state — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
In-Home Support Services $32 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
- [39] California Department of Justice — doj-fees-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-fees-pdf — fee-license-state — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Certificates/Licenses/Permits General $32 $17 N/A N/A N/A N/A
- [40] California Department of Justice — doj-fees-pdf (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · source:state-depth-r281-doj-fees-pdf — fee-license-federal — page 1
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Certificates/Licenses/Permits General $32 $17 N/A N/A N/A N/A
- [41] California Department of Justice — doj-agency-faq (opens in a new tab)
California Department of Justice · Frequently Asked Questions - Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General — fact-livescan-operator-accuracy-help
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
If you continually have problems with the accuracy of information from specific Live Scan sites, please contact DOJ’s Client Services Program at 916-227-3332 during regular business hours.