Absolute Investigative Fingerprinting & Security Services in Baltimore: Licensing and Background Screening for Employers and Individuals

Absolute Investigative Fingerprinting & Security Services is a private investigation and fingerprinting firm operating in Baltimore, handling background checks, live-scan fingerprinting for employment and licensing, and security consulting for small to mid-size businesses and individuals requiring court-admissible documentation.

What this firm actually does

The company combines two distinct service lines. The fingerprinting side handles live-scan digital submissions required by employers, professional licensing boards, and government agencies across Maryland and beyond. The investigative side pursues civil cases, employment screening, and asset searches. Most clients come through employer mandates (healthcare, education, financial services) or self-initiated background checks ahead of a job application or licensing renewal. The firm operates as a solo or small-team practice, which means response times depend on current case load and turnaround is faster than larger agencies handling high volume but slower than instant-service kiosks found in some UMD or government buildings.

Fingerprinting services and fees

Live-scan fingerprinting typically costs $40 to $75 per set, depending on the number of cards needed and destination agency. FBI-level clearance submissions run higher than state-only requirements. Many employers in the Baltimore area mandate live-scan over ink prints for healthcare roles, childcare licensing, and financial sector positions; the digital submission eliminates rejection for poor image quality and speeds approval from the Maryland State Police and FBI. The firm submits directly to relevant agencies, meaning you avoid the step of mailing cards yourself or visiting a police station. Turnaround for state clearance is usually 2 to 4 weeks; FBI results can take 4 to 8 weeks depending on backlog. Prices should be confirmed directly, as submission fees to state and federal agencies change annually.

Background investigation services (asset searches, employment history verification, prior address confirmation) begin at $300 and scale with complexity. An employment pre-screening for a single candidate typically falls between $300 and $600. Comprehensive background work for a hiring decision or tenant vetting may exceed $1,000.

Comparison to other Baltimore-area options

Maryland State Police offer live-scan fingerprinting at regional barracks and certain satellite locations at no charge, but appointments are limited and wait times can exceed several weeks. Courts and Corrections operates a fingerprinting facility downtown on Calvert Street that accepts walk-ins but operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no appointment guarantee. Absolute Investigative's advantage is appointment availability and direct submission without the applicant managing the agency filing step.

For private investigation work, Baltimore has larger firms like Prompt Investigations and smaller independent operators. Prompt generally handles higher-volume corporate security contracts and employment screening at comparable or higher rates; Absolute Investigative is better suited to individual cases and small-business owners who need a responsive contact rather than a department. For routine background checks submitted via online employment portals (Checkr, GoodHire), those services cost $20 to $50 and are faster, but they do not satisfy fingerprint-specific requirements mandated by healthcare boards, law enforcement, or federal contracts.

Who this firm serves and who it does not

Ideal clients include job applicants requiring court-admissible fingerprint cards within 4 to 6 weeks, healthcare employers running compliance background checks on staff, and individuals pursuing professional licenses in nursing, security, or trades. Small business owners investigating employees or tenants also fit the model. The firm is not the choice for instant results; applicants needing prints in days should visit the State Police barracks or Courts and Corrections directly. Large corporations with annual hiring volume typically contract with corporate screening vendors on retainer. Those seeking only criminal record checks without fingerprinting can use free resources like the Maryland Case Search system online.

What to expect on your first visit

Call to book an appointment; walk-in fingerprinting is not guaranteed. Bring a government-issued photo ID and any agency forms specifying which fingerprint cards or submission codes you need. The process takes 15 to 20 minutes. You will be fingerprinted digitally, and the firm submits to the Maryland State Police, FBI, or other agencies on your behalf. You receive a receipt with a case number and submission confirmation; results come to you via email or phone once the agency processes the request. If you are hiring someone else, that person attends the appointment and you receive a report summary.

Hours, location, and logistics

Absolute Investigative operates by appointment Monday through Friday during standard business hours; specific hours should be confirmed by phone before visiting. The firm is located in Baltimore proper but check the current street address, as small practices sometimes relocate. Free or metered street parking is typical for Baltimore service offices. The firm does not require advance payment for fingerprinting in most cases; payment is due at the time of service.

Absolute Investigative fills a practical gap between government fingerprinting (free but inflexible) and large corporate screening (fast but expensive and impersonal). For Baltimore residents and employers navigating Maryland's background check requirements, the firm's local availability and direct submission handle the administrative friction that makes the process slower than it needs to be.