Start the Year Prepared: What to Bring to Your Fingerprinting or Notary Appointment

The beginning of the year is one of the busiest times for fingerprinting and notary services. New jobs, license renewals, background checks, and legal paperwork often come with strict requirements — and being prepared can make all the difference.

At Trusted Identity Partners (TIP), we want every appointment to be quick, smooth, and successful. One of the easiest ways to avoid delays or repeat visits is knowing exactly what to bring to your fingerprinting or notary appointment.

What to Bring to a Fingerprinting Appointment

Fingerprinting is often required for employment, licensing, certifications, and background checks. To ensure your fingerprints are accepted, be sure to bring:

• A valid, unexpired photo ID
  Most agencies require government-issued identification such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Expired IDs are not accepted.

• All required paperwork or reference numbers
  Some fingerprinting requests require specific forms, codes, or agency instructions. Bringing everything provided by the requesting organization helps prevent processing delays.

• Clean, dry hands
  Believe it or not, dry or overly dirty hands can affect fingerprint quality. Washing and drying your hands beforehand can help ensure clear results.

What to Bring to a Notary Appointment

Notarization is required for many legal, financial, and business documents. To avoid issues, come prepared with:

• An acceptable form of identification
  Your ID must be valid and match the name on the document being notarized.

• Unsigned documents
  Do not sign documents ahead of time. Most notary services require you to sign in the presence of the notary.

• All parties involved
  If more than one signer is required, everyone must be present with valid identification.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Being aware of common issues can save you time:

• Forgetting required documents or instructions

• Bringing expired identification

• Signing documents before notarization

• Waiting until the last minute to schedule an appointment

Start the Year the Right Way with TIP

Starting the year prepared sets the tone for everything that follows. Whether you need fingerprinting, notary services, or both, TIP is here to provide professional, efficient service you can count on.