Types of Fingerprinting Services & What You Have to Know

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Nowadays, fingerprints are widely used for background checks as well as employment and licensing purposes. Those who need them can ask for help from agencies offering fingerprinting services.

In Canada alone, there is quite a need for this service. Whether you’re planning to leave the country and look for a job abroad or thinking of getting a new license, there will come a time that you have to submit fingerprints.

There are two types of fingerprinting services available today: ink roll and digital. Read this article further to learn more about each type.
 
The First Type: Ink and Roll Fingerprints

Ink and roll fingerprinting services require the traditional way of taking the marks on your fingers. As the name suggests, this service involves an ink that can accurately record your fingerprints. The processing time is relatively long, which can take up to 10-12 weeks.

Ink roll fingerprints are also used if you are to get a foreign police clearance. In some cases, you have to take the ink and roll fingerprinting service for a high-level Canadian security screening purpose. But more commonly, ink fingerprints are used for criminal record checks and police certificate applications.
 
All fingerprints to be submitted to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) must be done electronically unless you are dealing with specific federal government offices that require ink fingerprints on the RCMP C216C form. There are agencies that can convert ink fingerprints to a digital version. Electronic transmission of fingerprints to the RCMP may take 72 hours at most—definitely way faster than that of ink services.
 
If you need a police certificate to be submitted to any of the following countries, then an ink fingerprint is required:

• Bahrain
• Dominica
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Mexico
• Nigeria
• The Philippines
• Qatar
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Singapore
• United Arad Emirates

 
The Second Type: Digital Fingerprints

As compared to the previous type, digital fingerprinting services are faster and more efficient. Through digital fingerprints, fingerprints can be submitted electronically to the RCMP the same day. This is why this type is widely used in Canada.

Another advantage of digital fingerprints versus ink one is that the former is less prone to errors. They reduce the risk of associating criminals with someone under a similar name and vice-versa.

How do digital fingerprints work, you ask? Well, after taking your fingerprints electronically, your prints will be sent directly to the RCMP through a safe, secure, and fast-processing technology called a live scan.

A live scan device will be used to capture your fingerprints and transmit them electronically to RCMP’s Canadian criminal identification unit. Before asking for a digital fingerprinting service, make sure to have the following prepared:
 
At least two valid government IDs (passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, Canadian citizenship, permanent resident card, certificate of Indian status, immigration documents, military family ID, certificate of live birth, and NEXUS card, among others)

 
Globeia is readily available to assist you in making this a swift and easy process. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call, send us an email, or visit us via an appointment as we are here to help you!

Address: 1185 Victoria Park Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario M4B 2K5

Phone: 416-288-8070

Email: info@globeia.ca
 
We are facing a dilemma that affects communities across the globe. Globeia is aware of the COVID-19 situation and the problems arising from it. Because of this, we are more than committed to providing only first-rate services that save you time, effort, and money. Hopefully, through our services, we help you fight the current crisis to strongly and resiliently rise above it. We are with you every step of the way.
 
Disclaimer:
Take note that this article only intends to inform and educate readers, so as to help them with similar problems they might have. Any text or information from this publication should not, in any way, be taken as legal advice. We also disclaim any responsibility for the damages that may occur out of the details laid out here. It’s always ideal to consult with experienced legal counsel to learn more about a certain process and the steps involved. In addition, we do not take any responsibility to update content that was posted in the past.