How IdentoGo Fingerprinting Works in South Carolina

What IdentoGo does and who uses it

IdentoGo is a fingerprinting and background check service run by IDEMIA, a private company contracted by the FBI and state agencies. When South Carolina requires your fingerprints for a job, license, volunteer position, or legal matter, IdentoGo is often where you go to have them taken and submitted electronically to the right government office.

You do not choose IdentoGo—the employer, licensing board, or court tells you to use it. A school district hiring a teacher, a bank hiring a teller, a foster care agency screening volunteers, or a court ordering a background check will direct you to an IdentoGo location. The service exists to replace the old ink-and-paper fingerprint cards with a faster digital process.

IdentoGo operates service centers across South Carolina where trained staff scan your fingerprints, verify your identity, and send the results directly to the FBI, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), or both, depending on what the requesting agency needs. The whole appointment usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Key Takeaways

• IdentoGo fingerprinting is required by employers, licensing boards, courts, and volunteer programs—you cannot choose a different method once you are directed to use it.
• You book an appointment at an IdentoGo service center, bring a valid photo ID, and the staff scan your fingerprints and send them electronically to the FBI or SLED.
• Results typically arrive within one to three business days for state checks and up to two weeks for FBI background checks, depending on the agency's processing time.
• IdentoGo charges a fee for the fingerprinting service itself, separate from any fees the FBI or state agency charges for the background check.
• If your fingerprints do not scan clearly, IdentoGo staff will rescan or ask you to return for another appointment at no extra charge.

Finding and booking an IdentoGo appointment in South Carolina

IdentoGo service centers are located throughout South Carolina in cities including Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Florence, and Myrtle Beach. The easiest way to find the nearest location and book an appointment is through the IdentoGo website (identogo.com) or by calling 1-844-463-6331. Both methods let you see available time slots and reserve a specific date and time.

When you book, have the case number or reference code from the agency that sent you ready—this is how IdentoGo knows which organization to send your results to. If you do not have this number, the IdentoGo staff can usually look it up using your name and the requesting agency's name.

Walk-in appointments are sometimes available, but booking ahead is faster and guarantees your spot. Many locations offer evening and weekend hours to accommodate working people.

What to bring and what happens during your appointment

Bring a valid photo ID—a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card all work. IdentoGo will not proceed without it. If you have changed your name since your ID was issued, bring a document showing the legal name change (marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree).

At the appointment, staff will verify your identity, ask you to confirm your name and date of birth, and explain the fingerprinting process. You will place your fingers on a digital scanner one hand at a time. The scanner captures high-resolution images of your fingerprints and checks them on the spot for quality. If the scan is clear, the data is encrypted and transmitted electronically to the requesting agency.

If your fingerprints do not scan clearly—because of age, manual labor, or skin conditions—IdentoGo staff will rescan or ask you to return for another appointment. There is no additional charge for rescans or follow-up appointments.

How long results take and where they go

IdentoGo transmits your fingerprints immediately after your appointment, but how long you wait for results depends on which agency processes them. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) background checks typically return within one to three business days. FBI background checks take longer—usually five to fourteen business days, sometimes up to three weeks during high-volume periods.

Your results go directly to the agency that requested them, not to you. If you need a copy for your own records, you will have to request it from that agency—the employer, licensing board, court, or volunteer program. Some agencies post results online in a portal you can access; others mail them or require you to pick them up in person.

If results are delayed, contact the requesting agency first, not IdentoGo. They can tell you whether the fingerprints arrived and where the check stands in the queue.

Understanding IdentoGo fees and what they cover

IdentoGo charges a service fee for scanning and transmitting your fingerprints—this is separate from any fee the FBI or state charges for the actual background check. The IdentoGo fee varies slightly by location and type of service but typically ranges from $15 to $20 for a standard fingerprint scan. Some locations may charge more for expedited processing, though this is not always available.

The requesting agency may also charge its own fee for conducting the background check itself. For example, the FBI charges a fee for federal background checks, and SLED charges a fee for state checks. These fees are not part of IdentoGo's charge and may be billed separately or included in the cost the employer or licensing board passes to you.

Ask the agency that directed you to IdentoGo whether they cover the fingerprinting fee or whether you pay it. Some employers and government programs cover the cost; others ask the applicant to pay.

What happens if you have a criminal record or prior background check

IdentoGo does not make decisions about your background—it only captures and transmits your fingerprints. The FBI and SLED conduct the actual background check and report their findings to the requesting agency. Whether a prior conviction or arrest disqualifies you depends entirely on the employer's or licensing board's own rules, not on IdentoGo's process.

If you have been fingerprinted before, you may still be required to go through IdentoGo again. Different agencies maintain separate records, and some require updated fingerprints even if you were recently checked for a different purpose. The requesting agency will tell you whether a prior fingerprint on file is acceptable or whether you need a new scan.

Troubleshooting common IdentoGo issues

If your fingerprints will not scan clearly, IdentoGo staff will work with you to improve the scan—cleaning your fingers, adjusting pressure, or trying different techniques. If the problem persists, you can return for another appointment at no charge. Some people with very worn fingerprints or certain skin conditions may need to try multiple times, but IdentoGo will continue to rescan until a usable image is captured.

If you miss your appointment, you can reschedule through the website or by phone. Most locations allow you to cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before your appointment time without penalty. If you do not show up and do not cancel, you may lose your appointment slot and have to book a new one.

If you believe your results are wrong or were sent to the wrong agency, contact the requesting agency directly—they can verify what was received and ask IdentoGo to resend if needed. IdentoGo keeps records of every transmission and can confirm delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a fingerprint card from my doctor's office instead of going to IdentoGo?

No. Once an agency directs you to IdentoGo, that is the only method they will accept. IdentoGo's digital fingerprints meet FBI and state standards, but ink fingerprint cards do not work for most modern background checks. The agency will not process your application if you submit fingerprints from anywhere else.

How long does an IdentoGo appointment actually take?

Most appointments take 15 to 30 minutes from check-in to completion. This includes identity verification, the fingerprint scan, and transmission. If your fingerprints do not scan clearly on the first try, it may take longer, but IdentoGo staff will work with you until they get a usable image.

What if I move out of state after my IdentoGo fingerprinting?

Your fingerprints have already been sent to the requesting agency and are on file with the FBI or SLED. Moving does not affect the results. If a new employer or agency in another state needs your fingerprints, you will have to go through their fingerprinting process—each state and agency maintains its own records.

Can someone else go to IdentoGo on my behalf?

No. You must be present in person with a valid photo ID. IdentoGo verifies your identity before scanning, and the fingerprints must be yours. No exceptions are made for this requirement.

What if IdentoGo sends my fingerprints to the wrong agency?

IdentoGo uses the case number or reference code you provide at your appointment to route your fingerprints to the correct agency. If you gave the wrong number or IdentoGo made an error, contact the requesting agency immediately. They can verify whether your fingerprints arrived and ask IdentoGo to resend to the correct destination if needed.