Los Angeles Criminal Background Check: Complete Guide for Employers and Individuals

If you’ve never had to deal with a Los Angeles criminal background check, it can feel oddly confusing. Not because the process is impossible… but because nobody really explains it in plain language. You’ll see government websites, fingerprint forms, Live Scan instructions, and a lot of “official wording.”

Most people just want to know one thing:
Where do I go, what do I bring, and how long will it take?

That’s really it.

Whether you’re an employer verifying a candidate or someone who needs a background check for work, immigration, licensing, or volunteering, the process in Los Angeles tends to follow the same few steps.

And honestly, once you understand those steps, it becomes much less intimidating.

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First, what people usually mean by a “criminal background check” in Los Angeles

In simple terms, a Los Angeles criminal background check usually means checking records through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and sometimes the FBI.

This is typically done using fingerprints, not just a name search.

That’s why you’ll hear people talk about Live Scan. It’s basically digital fingerprinting. Your fingerprints are scanned electronically and submitted to the DOJ database to see if there are any criminal records tied to them.

Employers request this all the time for things like:

• Healthcare jobs
• Real estate licenses
• Teachers and school staff
• Security guards
• Volunteers working with children
• Government jobs

Individuals request them too. Immigration paperwork, adoption, international work visas, personal record checks… all sorts of situations.

At Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan, we see both sides almost every day. Sometimes an HR manager sends multiple employees in. Other times someone walks in with a form and says, “I was told I need fingerprints for this.”

Pretty normal.

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The step most people don’t expect: you usually need a request form

Here’s something that trips people up.

You usually can’t just walk in and ask for a background check unless it’s specifically a personal record review.

Most employment or licensing checks require a Request for Live Scan Service form. The employer or agency gives it to you.

This form tells the fingerprinting provider where to send the results.

Without it, the fingerprints have nowhere to go.

So before scheduling fingerprinting services Los Angeles, make sure you actually have that form. Saves you a wasted trip.

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Step-by-step: how the process usually works in 2026

Let’s walk through it the way it actually happens.

Not the government version… the real-life version.

1. You receive the Live Scan request form

An employer, licensing board, or agency gives you the Live Scan request form.

Sometimes it's emailed. Sometimes printed. Sometimes they barely explain it.

You’ll see sections like:

• ORI number
• Type of application
• Requesting agency

Don’t worry about understanding all of it. That part is for the DOJ system.

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2. You find a Live Scan location

Now you look for a live scan service Los Angeles provider.

There are quite a few around the city, but people often prefer places that are quick and easy to access.

Downtown workers often look for a notary public downtown Los Angeles location that also offers Live Scan and fingerprinting. It saves time if you need documents notarized too.

Others prefer mobile live scan Los Angeles services, where someone comes to your office or job site.

Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan actually does both — walk-in and mobile appointments — which ends up being helpful for companies fingerprinting multiple employees at once.

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3. Bring ID (this part matters)

You’ll need valid identification.

Usually one of these:

• Driver’s license
• State ID
• Passport

The name on the ID should match the Live Scan form.

If it doesn’t… the technician will probably stop the process until it’s corrected.

This happens more often than people think.

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4. Your fingerprints are scanned electronically

The technician places your fingers on a glass scanner.

Each finger gets scanned. Then both hands together.

The whole thing takes maybe 5–10 minutes.

It’s not messy like the old ink fingerprint cards. No black ink everywhere.

Just digital.

For Mobile fingerprint scanning Los Angeles, the equipment is basically the same — it’s just portable.

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5. The system sends your fingerprints to DOJ (and sometimes FBI)

Once scanned, the system submits everything electronically.

Then the waiting begins.

Processing time varies depending on the agency requesting the background check.

Typical timeline:

• DOJ only: 1–3 days
• DOJ + FBI: 3–7 days

Sometimes faster. Occasionally slower.

The results are sent directly to the requesting agency — not to the fingerprint provider.

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What about personal background checks?

Some people just want to see their own record.

Maybe they’re applying for housing or want to verify old information.

In California, you can request a Personal Record Review through the DOJ.

This still uses Live Scan fingerprints.

Many people search for Los Angeles criminal background check services thinking it’s something you can just print instantly online. But official DOJ record checks still require fingerprints.

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When you might also need document services

This part surprises people.

Background checks often come with paperwork requirements.

You might need things like:

• notarized documents
• document copies
• identity verification
• apostille certification

For example, someone applying for a job overseas might need both a criminal background check and an apostille birth certificate Los Angeles process to authenticate their documents.

Or a company may request certified copies of identification documents.

That’s why document centers offering document scanning services Los Angeles or apostille certification services Los Angeles California tend to handle these requests together.

It just makes life easier when everything happens in one place.

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A quick note for employers running background checks

If you're an employer in Los Angeles, there’s something important to know.

California has strict rules about when you can run a criminal background check.

The Fair Chance Act (often called the “Ban the Box” law) generally requires employers to wait until after making a conditional job offer before running one.

So if you’re setting up a hiring process, it’s worth making sure your background check step is placed correctly.

Otherwise, it can create legal headaches.

Many businesses simply send candidates to a fingerprint provider like Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan after the offer stage.

It keeps the process compliant and straightforward.

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Why some companies choose mobile fingerprinting

When a company needs fingerprints for multiple employees, driving everyone to a Live Scan location can be a hassle.

That’s where mobile live scan Los Angeles services come in.

A technician brings the fingerprint equipment directly to the workplace.

It’s pretty common for:

• hospitals
• construction companies
• security firms
• schools
• large hiring events

Everyone gets fingerprinted onsite, and the data gets submitted immediately.

No travel, no waiting room.

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A couple things people worry about (that usually aren’t an issue)

People often ask if fingerprinting hurts.

It doesn’t.

It’s literally just placing your fingers on a scanner.

Another concern is whether minor old records automatically show up.

The truth is… it depends on the type of check requested by the agency. Some checks are more limited, others more comprehensive.

The fingerprint provider doesn’t control that part. They just capture the prints and transmit them securely.

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FAQs

Do I need an appointment for Live Scan in Los Angeles?

Depends on the location. Some places accept walk-ins, others prefer appointments. Mobile services obviously require scheduling since the technician travels to you.

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How much does a Los Angeles criminal background check usually cost?

There are usually two parts: the government processing fee and the Live Scan rolling fee. Altogether it often lands somewhere between $70 and $120 depending on the type of check.

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Can I get same-day results?

Not really. The fingerprint submission happens instantly, but the DOJ still has to process the record search. Sometimes results come back within 24 hours, but it’s not guaranteed.

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I lost my Live Scan form. What do I do?

You’ll need another copy from the employer or agency requesting the background check. The ORI number and request details on that form are required for submission.

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Are Live Scan and fingerprinting the same thing?

More or less. Live Scan is just the digital method of capturing fingerprints. Instead of ink cards, the prints are scanned electronically and transmitted to the DOJ.

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Can employers see arrests that didn’t lead to convictions?

California law limits what employers can consider in many cases. The reporting rules depend on the job type and the agency requesting the check.

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What if my fingerprints get rejected?

It happens occasionally if prints are too faint. You’ll simply be asked to return for a re-scan. Most providers do this quickly and without charging another rolling fee.

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Do I need fingerprints for an apostille or document authentication?

Not always. But when documents like background checks are being used internationally, you might also need apostille certification services Los Angeles California to authenticate them.