Fingerprinting

​​Live Scan electronic fingerprinting services are currently available at two locations​. You must make an appointment online. Please check ahead for holiday office closures as noted on the appointment calendar.

Appointment Reminders

Please bring the following to your appointment:

• Fingerprint Forms
  • Two copies of the Live Scan Form (photocopy service may not be available). If you are being fingerprinted for your employer, they will provide you with the appropriate Live Scan forms.
• Payment
  • Money order, cashier's check payable to SDCOE or Credit Card ($3 processing fee). Fees are listed on the Requirements for fingerprinting page below. Note: The fingerprint fee is separate from an application fee for a credential, certificate or permit.
• Valid Identification

Valid Identification

We will only accept current, valid, and unexpired picture identification. This document must include personal descriptor information such as name, gender, date of birth, etc. and match the information provided on the Request for Live Scan Service form. In addition, the photograph must reasonably resemble the applicant's physical appearance. We do not accept the paper printout from the DMV for expired identification cards or driver's licenses.

Acceptable Primary Forms of Photo Identification

• State-issued driver's license*
• U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
• Federal Government Personal Identity Verification Card (PIV)
• Uniformed Services Identification Card
• Department of Defense Common Access Card
• Foreign Passport with Appropriate Immigration Document(s)
• USCIS - Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
• USCIS - Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• Federal, state, or local government agency ID card with photograph
• U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
• Canadian driver's license

*For those applicants without a driver's license, a state identification card may be presented if the state's identification card standards are the same as for the driver's license.

Secondary Forms of Identification

In the absence of a primary form of identification, applicants must provide at least two (2) secondary identification documents that may include:

• State Government Issued Certificate of Birth
• U.S. Tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs Identification Card
• Native American tribal document
• Social Security Card
• Court Order for Name Change/Gender Change/Adoption/Divorce
• Marriage Certificate (Government Certificate Issued)
• U.S. Government Issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• Draft record
• School ID with photograph
• Certificate of Citizenship (N-560)
• Replacement Certificate of Citizenship (N-561)
• Certificate of Naturalization (N-550)
• Replacement Certificate of Naturalization (N-570)

Supplemental Documents

When Secondary Form of Identification is provided, the data and information must be supported by at least two (2) current Supplemental documents to validate the authenticity of secondary identification documents and forms:

• Utility bill (address)
• Jurisdictional voter registration card
• Vehicle registration card/title
• Paycheck stub with name/address
• Jurisdictional Public Assistance Card
• Spouse/parent affidavit

California public school employees must be fingerprinted and a criminal background clearance must be received by the employing school district and county office prior to new employees rendering paid service.

Individuals who have been convicted of serious and / or violent crimes are precluded from being hired by California public school districts. Individuals who are awaiting trial for serious and / or violent crimes are also precluded from rendering service in California public schools until the matter has been legally concluded.

Credential applicants who have not previously been fingerprinted for the CTC through a college or university, other County Office of Education in California, or by means of fingerprint cards sent directly to the CTC, must submit fingerprints using the 41-LS Fingerprint Form (PDF).

Substitute teachers with valid California teaching credentials or permits who have only been fingerprinted for the CTC and who are working in more than one district in San Diego County may also be fingerprinted using the San Diego County Schools Fingerprint Clearinghouse Request for Live Scan Service Form. These prints are accepted by most of the districts in San Diego County without being printed again for each district. This is at the discretion of the district.

Live Scan and Clearinghouse Forms

The 41-LS Fingerprint Form and the Clearinghouse Live Scan forms are available in PDF format. These two forms are available online for ease of downloading at the time a fingerprint appointment is made. Please bring two copies.

The 41-LS Fingerprint Form is for first time credential, emergency substitute permit or child development permit applicants seeking a fingerprint clearance for the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. To obtain a Temporary County Certificate, you must have the Clearinghouse Fingerprints. The current fee is $77.

Clearinghouse (PDF) is for applicants seeking part-time or limited term employment in any public school district in San Diego County only. It does not include Commission on Teacher Credentialing clearance. The current fee is $60 for DOJ only or $77 for DOJ and FBI. Clearinghouse with FBI is primarily used for classified employees such as walk-on coaches or interns.