Waiting on a background check can hold up a job start or a license. Here's what to expect for each service, and what you can and can't speed up.
Typical timelines
- Florida Livescan: usually 24–72 hours for results to reach the agency
- FBI background check: usually 3–7 business days
- Mail-in card conversion: results usually 1–3 business days after we receive your cards
- Apostille: 5 weeks or more at the U.S. Department of State
Where Livescan results go
Your Livescan results go to the agency named by your ORI, not to you and not to us. The agency reviews them and makes the decision. That's why the most useful thing you can do is make sure the ORI is right before your visit.
What can slow things down
- Wrong ORI: results go to the wrong agency and you may need to be fingerprinted again
- Unreadable prints: worn or very dry fingertips can cause a rejection and a re-print
- Agency review: if your record needs a closer look, the agency's review takes longer than the fingerprint check itself
Checking on your status
For Livescan, contact the agency or employer that requested the check. For an FBI check, we'll email your results as soon as they're ready. For mail-in cards, use our status form.
On a deadline? Get fingerprinted as soon as you have your ORI, and call us at 954-300-4181 if you have questions about your submission.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change, and the agency requesting your background check has the final say. Results and decisions come from FDLE, the FBI and the requesting agency.