American Fingerprinting Services in Baltimore: Where to Get Fingerprinted for Employment and Licensing
American Fingerprinting Services is a standalone fingerprinting vendor located in Baltimore that handles background check submissions for employment, licensing, housing, and volunteer clearance. Unlike police departments or third-party processors, this operation specializes in rapid turnaround and direct submission to state and federal databases, making it a practical choice for job applicants and licensed professionals on tight deadlines.
What American Fingerprinting Services Actually Is
American Fingerprinting Services provides digital fingerprinting, live scan processing, and direct electronic submission to the Maryland State Police and FBI. The service is staffed to handle high volume during peak hiring seasons and does not require appointments, reducing wait friction for people who need results within days rather than weeks. The shop operates as a dedicated fingerprinting center, not a satellite office of a larger security firm or a law enforcement agency, which means turnaround is their core business metric.
Services and Pricing
Live scan fingerprinting costs $75 per person for a standard ten-print card (all ten fingers), which is the baseline for employment background checks and professional licenses. Rush processing to submit directly to state and federal repositories occurs the same day. Additional services include FBI apostille certification ($15) for international employment, multiple card copies ($10 per additional set), and notarization ($5). Prices have remained stable but should be confirmed by phone before arrival, as vendor fees can shift seasonally.
The service accepts cash and card payments. Results are not provided on-site; instead, applicants receive confirmation of submission and are directed to check status through the Maryland State Police or FBI portals, which typically post clearance within 3 to 10 business days depending on the receiving agency's workload.
How It Compares to Other Baltimore Fingerprinting Options
The Baltimore Police Department's fingerprinting division also accepts walk-ins and charges $50 per print card, undercutting American Fingerprinting by $25. However, police department submissions require in-person pickup of results during business hours (typically 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday), and waits in-person can stretch past two hours during the morning rush. American Fingerprinting does not hand off physical cards; it submits digitally and immediately, which eliminates the second trip.
Private security firms like Cordico and Allied Universal also offer fingerprinting through their local offices, but they typically bundle the service into larger background investigation packages starting at $150 and require advance scheduling. For a standalone, quick fingerprint submission, American Fingerprinting undercuts both on price and flexibility compared to the police and is far simpler than the security-firm route.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
American Fingerprinting works best for job applicants, nurses, teachers, and childcare workers who need a single ten-print card submitted quickly and do not need on-site notarization or multiple authenticated copies for different employers. Walk-in availability is essential for people who cannot book appointments weeks ahead.
It is less suitable for individuals who need a physical certified card in hand the same day (request police department service instead) or those applying to multiple federal agencies requiring different submission formats (consider a legal fingerprinting service that handles variant card types). Immigration-related fingerprinting for visa or citizenship applications should be verified in advance; not all vendors handle USCIS-specific card formats.
What the First Visit Involves
Bring a valid photo ID (state driver's license, passport, or military ID). The technician will verify your name and date of birth, take your ten-print digital scan using an electronic scanner (no ink), and ask which agencies will receive the print (FBI, Maryland State Police, both, or a specific employer agency). The scan takes 5 to 10 minutes. You will receive a receipt with a confirmation number and instructions on how to track your submission status online. No results are handed over at the counter; the digital file is transmitted electronically to the agency you designate.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
American Fingerprinting operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no Saturday or Sunday hours. Parking is street-level only; there is no dedicated lot. The location is accessible by MTA bus routes that serve the downtown corridor. Call ahead to confirm current hours, as holiday closures and staffing changes occur seasonally. Travel time from most Baltimore neighborhoods is under 20 minutes by car or bus.
American Fingerprinting fills a specific gap: people who need a fast, appointment-free fingerprint submission to state or federal databases without police department bureaucracy. For employment clearance on a deadline, it saves a second visit.
