What is the difference between Livescan and ink fingerprint cards?

Livescan is digital fingerprinting where prints are captured electronically and submitted directly to the requesting agency — no ink, no paper. Ink fingerprint cards (FD-258, FD-1164) are physical cards where ink-rolled (or digital) prints are taken and mailed to the agency.

Which is faster — Livescan or ink fingerprint cards?

Livescan is much faster. Prints are transmitted electronically and processed within hours to a few days. Ink cards must be mailed, which adds weeks of processing time.

Do I need an FD-258 card or Livescan?

It depends on what the requesting agency requires. Illinois state agencies (ISP, IDFPR) and most Illinois employers accept Livescan. The FBI, some federal agencies, and many out-of-state licensing boards still require FD-258 ink cards. Check your application paperwork or call 847-436-5222 and we'll help you determine which you need.

Where can I get FD-258 fingerprint cards completed near me in Naperville?

Efficient Biometrics at 682 Illinois Route 59, Naperville, IL provides FD-258 and FD-1164 ink fingerprint card services. Call or text 847-436-5222 to schedule.

Livescan vs. Ink Fingerprint Cards: Which Do You Need?

When you're told you need to "get fingerprinted," the next question is usually: what kind? There are two methods — digital Livescan and traditional ink fingerprint cards (like FD-258) — and agencies often specify exactly which they require. Here's what you need to know.

At a Glance: Livescan vs. Ink Cards

	Livescan (Digital)	Ink Fingerprint Cards (FD-258 / FD-1164)
Method	Electronic scanner — no ink	Traditional ink rolled (or digital) onto paper card
Submission	Transmitted electronically to agency	Physical card mailed to agency
Processing speed	Hours to 1–3 days	Days to weeks (mail dependent)
Common uses	Illinois state licenses, ISP, IDFPR, most employers	FBI, federal agencies, out-of-state licensing
Quality control	Immediate — rejected prints caught on-screen	Rejection discovered weeks later by mail
You keep a copy	No physical card	Extra cards can be provided

When You Need Livescan

Livescan is the standard for most Illinois-based fingerprinting requirements. Choose Livescan when:

Applying for or renewing an IDFPR professional license (nurse, real estate agent, social worker, etc.)
Applying for a FOID card (Illinois Firearm Owner's Identification)
Fingerprinting for Illinois State Police (ISP) background checks
Employment background checks for Illinois-based employers in healthcare, education, or childcare
School-related clearances through ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education)
Any agency that gives you an ORI code for electronic Livescan submission

When You Need Ink Fingerprint Cards (FD-258 / FD-1164)

Ink cards are still required by certain agencies that haven't adopted electronic submissions. Choose ink cards when:

Submitting fingerprints directly to the FBI by mail (not through channeling)
Applying for a license in an out-of-state jurisdiction that requires physical cards
Certain federal employment or security clearances specify card format
The requesting agency explicitly sends you blank FD-258 cards to fill out
Fingerprinting for international purposes (some countries only accept physical cards)

What Are FD-258 and FD-1164 Cards?

FD-258 is the standard FBI fingerprint card — a blue-and-white card with spaces for 10 individual fingerprints plus two hand prints and demographic information. It's used for most civilian federal fingerprinting purposes.

FD-1164 is a slightly different format used for specific law enforcement and federal contractor purposes. Less common, but we provide both.

What If I'm Not Sure Which I Need?

Check your application paperwork carefully. Look for any of these clues:

An ORI code — this almost always means Livescan
A blank FD-258 card included in your paperwork — this means ink cards
Instructions to go to an Illinois State Police-approved fingerprinting site — this means Livescan
Instructions to mail fingerprints to a P.O. Box — this usually means ink cards

Still not sure? Call or text us at 847-436-5222. We help clients determine the right method every day and can look up requirements for most Illinois licensing authorities.

Can I Get Both Done at Efficient Biometrics?

Yes. We offer both Livescan digital fingerprinting and FD-258 / FD-1164 ink card fingerprinting at our Naperville location. If you need multiple card sets for different purposes, we can complete them in a single appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Livescan results for out-of-state purposes?
Sometimes. If the out-of-state agency is enrolled with the FBI's electronic submission system and provides an ORI code, Livescan can work. Otherwise, you'll need ink cards. We'll help you confirm before your appointment.

What if my ink fingerprints get rejected?
The FBI or receiving agency will mail the cards back and ask you to redo them. This adds several more weeks. With Livescan, quality is checked instantly at the time of capture — rejection is far less common.

How many sets of ink cards do I need?
It depends on your purpose. Some applications require two sets, others just one. Check your application instructions. We can produce multiple sets in one appointment.