If a form told you to get fingerprinted "through IdentoGO" or "through Fieldprint," you've probably wondered what the difference is — and whether you even get to choose. Here's the plain-English answer, plus how to tell which one your situation actually calls for.
The short version
IdentoGO and Fieldprint are both large, national fingerprinting networks. Both are authorized to capture your fingerprints electronically and submit them for background checks. The key thing to understand: you usually don't pick between them — the agency, employer, or licensing board that's requesting your background check does. They contract with one system or the other, and your instructions tell you which to use.
What IdentoGO is
IdentoGO is operated by IDEMIA. It runs a large network of enrollment centers and is the authorized provider for many state and federal programs — it's the system behind TSA PreCheck enrollment, for example, and it handles fingerprint-based background checks for a wide range of licensing and employment programs. Centers use Live Scan equipment to capture prints electronically and submit them to the relevant agency.
What Fieldprint is
Fieldprint is an FBI-approved channeler and fingerprinting network. As a channeler, it's authorized to submit fingerprints directly to the FBI and return the results — and it's commonly the designated system for certain employers, universities, and licensing bodies. Like IdentoGO, it captures prints electronically at appointment-based locations and routes them to the requesting agency.
So how do they differ?
Functionally, both do the same core job — capture prints and transmit them for a background check. The practical difference comes down to which programs and agencies each one is contracted for. Some states, employers, and boards route their applicants through IdentoGO; others through Fieldprint. That's it. If your paperwork names one specifically, that's the one you use, because the results have to flow into that agency's system.
| IdentoGO | Fieldprint | |
|---|---|---|
| Operated by | IDEMIA | Fieldprint, Inc. |
| Role | Enrollment provider & FBI submission | FBI-approved channeler & fingerprinting |
| Method | Electronic Live Scan at centers | Electronic Live Scan at locations |
| You choose it? | No — your agency/program does | No — your agency/program does |
How to know which one you need
Read your instructions closely. Look for:
- An ORI number, service code, or program name — this tells the provider where to send your results.
- A named system — if it says "schedule with IdentoGO" or "use Fieldprint," use that one.
- A registration link — many programs send you straight to the correct system to book.
If your form doesn't name either one, that's often a sign you need a different service entirely — like an FBI Departmental Order background check, an FD-258 fingerprint card, or Live Scan for a program either network doesn't cover. That's where a local provider comes in.
Where Oregon Fingerprinting fits in
To be clear: Oregon Fingerprinting is not IdentoGO or Fieldprint, and we're not affiliated with either. If your paperwork specifically requires one of those systems, you'll need to use that provider — and we're happy to point you in the right direction.
But a huge share of what people actually need doesn't require either network. We handle:
- FBI background checks (Departmental Order) — $125, results typically in about 30 minutes
- Ink fingerprint cards (FD-258) for agencies that require a physical card
- ATF, FDLE, and other agency-specific submissions
- Live Scan and prints for licensing, employment, and immigration abroad
- Mobile and on-site service that comes to you
The advantage of going local: same-day and walk-in appointments, an experienced technician who checks your prints before you leave, and a real person who'll help you figure out what your form is actually asking for — instead of a call center. Not sure which route you need? Send us your instructions and we'll tell you straight.
Not sure what your form requires?
Send us a photo of your fingerprinting instructions and we'll tell you exactly what you need — and whether we can handle it same-day here in Beaverton.