LiveScan vs. Ink Fingerprint Cards: Understanding the Difference

People asked to submit fingerprints often encounter two terms: LiveScan and ink fingerprint cards. They describe different ways of capturing and transmitting fingerprints, not interchangeable promises about what a background check will cover. The right choice depends on the requesting organization’s instructions, the purpose of the check and where the results must go.

What “LiveScan” means

LiveScan captures fingerprints electronically. A person places their fingers on a digital scanner, and the prints are transmitted electronically through a designated process to the appropriate recipient. In Ohio, the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) compares fingerprints against criminal fingerprint records. Ohio’s background check overview explains that electronic WebCheck or card scan is generally required unless an exemption applies.

The term “LiveScan” is often used conversationally for electronic fingerprint capture, but the equipment alone does not determine which agency will receive the prints or which check will be run. A submission’s purpose, recipient and required reason information matter. For a job, license or other formal requirement, the employer or licensing organization should tell the applicant whether to request an Ohio BCI check, an eligible FBI check, or both, and provide the correct instructions.

What an ink fingerprint card does

An ink card records rolled fingerprints on a paper form. The familiar FBI FD-258 is one card format. Rather than capturing prints electronically at the point of collection, the prints are placed on the card and the card is submitted according to the receiving agency’s requirements. A card may be useful when an organization, agency or out-of-state recipient specifically requests a physical card or provides instructions that call for one.

A card is not itself a background check. It is a way of collecting and submitting fingerprint impressions. The receiving organization determines whether the card is acceptable, how it must be completed, where it should be sent and what kind of search or review is being requested. If the recipient requires an electronic WebCheck transaction, a paper card may not satisfy that instruction; likewise, electronic capture may not replace a card when a recipient specifically requires the card.

The key difference is workflow—not just scanner versus paper

The practical distinction is how prints are captured and routed. LiveScan is electronic capture and transmission; an ink card is a physical record that must be handled and submitted under the recipient’s directions. Neither method, by itself, tells an applicant whether the result will be a state check, a federal check or a particular type of report.

The Ohio Attorney General notes that requirements depend on the employment or licensing purpose. Its background-check FAQs also explain that BCI processes FBI checks only for authorized Ohio employment purposes. Personal-use FBI Identity History Summary and immigration requests follow FBI instructions instead. Applicants should not assume that asking for “an FBI check” is enough to identify the correct channel.

Confirm these details before getting fingerprinted

Before making an appointment, applicants can ask the requesting organization to confirm:

• Whether it requires electronic WebCheck/LiveScan or an ink fingerprint card, and whether a particular card form is specified.
• Whether it needs a BCI check, an eligible FBI check or both, and the correct reason for the submission.
• The recipient or agency information, required forms and instructions for delivering the results.
• What identification to bring and whether an appointment is required at the chosen provider.

Ohio Security & Investigations advertises appointment-only fingerprinting support for BCI, FBI and combination submissions, as well as FD-258 ink cards. Its fingerprinting information asks applicants to bring valid state-issued photo ID along with the requesting agency’s forms, reason instructions and recipient information. Current appointment options should be confirmed directly; applicants should not rely on old hours or prices found elsewhere.

Avoid preventable submission problems

Use the reason, recipient and forms supplied by the organization that requested the check. A wrong transaction detail can be difficult to correct after submission: the Ohio Attorney General says BCI cannot correct submitted transaction information, and a new submission may be necessary. If an applicant receives a rejection letter, they should read which check it identifies rather than assuming it automatically applies to both BCI and FBI.

Fingerprint data and identity documents are sensitive. Do not post ID images, Social Security numbers, fingerprint images or criminal-record information in public comments or send them through unsecured channels. Share only the information required, using the provider’s or requesting organization’s designated secure process.

Choosing the method

For many Ohio employment or licensing checks, the requesting organization will specify an electronic WebCheck process. An ink card is appropriate when the receiving entity’s instructions call for a physical card. When the instructions are unclear, ask the organization before booking; the fingerprinting provider can help explain its available capture options, but the recipient ultimately defines what it will accept and where the results should go.

Ohio Security & Investigations is located at 7087 West Blvd #8, Youngstown, Ohio 44512. To ask about available fingerprinting appointments or card services, call (888) 341-6960 or visit ohioinvestigators.com. Service information is available at Ohio fingerprinting services.