Applicant Processing Team
The Applicant Processing Team is the unit at DPS that processes fingerprint criminal history check submissions and provides criminal history results to authorized agencies. The Applicant Processing Team does NOT handle fingerprint clearance cards; for clearance card questions, please contact the Clearance Card Section.
- Paper Fingerprint Submissions:
A correct fingerprint submission packet contains:
- Fingerprint card(s)
- The inventory sheet(s) associated with the fingerprint cards
- Payment in the correct amount
The agency may send up to 5 payment instruments (for example, money orders) per inventory sheet. The Applicant Processing Team does not accept cash, personal checks, third party checks, or credit cards as payment for inventory sheets submitted by mail. Credit card payment (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) is accepted for fingerprint criminal history check requests that are submitted through the Public Services Portal (see Electronic Fingerprint Submissions below).
Fees (current as of June 2025)
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Do not include any other correspondence or clearance card applications in the fingerprint submission packet.
Clearance cards are processed by the Clearance Card Section and should be mailed directly to their office.
Compliance documentation such as Authorized Personnel Lists should be sent to the Access Integrity Unit Noncriminal Justice Compliance Team at [email protected].
- Electronic Fingerprint Submissions:
Applicants can submit a fingerprint criminal history check request through the Public Services Portal. Credit card payment (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) is accepted through the Public Services Portal, and applicants may submit electronic fingerprints for these requests.
To submit the request in the portal, applicants must be provided with the correct purpose code by the licensing agency or employer that is requiring the fingerprint criminal history check.
For step-by-step instructions, please view the guide below.
The DPS Applicant Processing Team supplies inventory sheets and fingerprint cards to authorized submitting agencies free of charge. DPS does not supply fingerprinting ink. To order supplies for your agency, download and complete the Applicant Processing Team Supply Order form.
Supply Order Form instructions:
- Enter the desired number of fingerprint cards on the line provided.
- Enter the desired number of inventory sheets on the line provided.
- Enter your agency's information as requested. (For noncriminal justice submissions, enter your agency's nine character "XX" identifier on the "Agency ORI" line.
- Email or mail the Supply Order Form to the Applicant Processing Team.
The Applicant Processing Team maintains a point of contact with each submitting agency for the purpose of resolving any issues that may arise with an agency's fingerprint submissions. This may not be the same as the Agency Security Contact established with the DPS Noncriminal Justice Compliance Team for compliance purposes, although the same person may fulfill both roles.
Two methods to change the Applicant Processing Team contact:
1. Mail/email a letter on agency letterhead to the Applicant Processing Team outlining the information you wish to change. Changes to an agency's main contact or the mailing address for the criminal history results must be made in writing.
2. If your agency is designating a new Agency Security Contact for Noncriminal Justice Compliance, there is a box on the NCJ Agency Information Change Form to designate the new ASC as the Applicant Processing Team contact. If you check that box, the compliance team will notify the Applicant Processing Team of the update. If the box is unchecked, the Applicant Processing Team contact will not be changed.
Please send all update correspondence separate from fingerprint submissions.
Is the fingerprint criminal history check the same as the fingerprint clearance card?
There are two fingerprinting processes in Arizona: the fingerprint criminal history check and the fingerprint clearance card. The Applicant Processing Team handles agency submissions for fingerprint criminal history checks; the Clearance Card Section handles individual applications for fingerprint clearance cards. The same state/FBI databases are checked for both processes. One of the main differences in the process is who reviews the information.
In the fingerprint criminal history check process, the agency submits the applicant's fingerprints (along with an inventory sheet and appropriate fee) to DPS. The criminal history results are returned to the agency to review for the authorized suitability purpose.
In the fingerprint clearance card process, an individual submits a fingerprint card and application to the DPS Clearance Card Section (along with the appropriate fee) pursuant to state law, marking the appropriate legal authorization matching the individual's status. (If the individual does not meet one of the authorization boxes on the application, the person is not eligible to apply for a clearance card.) The DPS Clearance Card Section reviews the criminal history and makes the suitability determination based on the precluding factors set out in state law; the agency the person works for does not see the criminal history. If the individual has no criminal history OR has a criminal history but the crimes are not on the precluding factor list OR the criminal history contains an appealable precluding factor and the applicant successfully petitions the Board of Fingerprinting for a "good cause" exception, the individual will be granted a clearance card. The clearance card, or a denial letter if the applicant is not granted a card, is sent directly to the applicant.
Does the Applicant Processing Team send criminal history directly to out-of-state agencies?
No. We only process fingerprint criminal history checks for authorized Arizona agencies. Agencies must have a legal authorization to submit fingerprints; those agencies submitting for noncriminal justice purposes such as employment, licensing, adoptions, etc., must have a valid user agreement on file with DPS and be an active participant in the Arizona Noncriminal Justice Fingerprint Compliance Program.
Can I get a Central Background Check at DPS?
No. Central Background Checks are handled by the Department of Economic Security (DES), not DPS. This process is separate from DPS fingerprint checks and Clearance Cards. For more info, visit https://des.az.gov/cbc or call DES at 602-542-4791.
How are fingerprint criminal history checks processed?
The agency requesting the check will help the applicant get their fingerprints taken. These are sent to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), to be checked against the state and (if needed) FBI databases. DPS also checks for warrants and Arizona sex offender status. The results of all checks are sent back to the requesting agency.
Will I get a copy of my fingerprint background check?
No. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) sends the results directly to the agency that requested the check. By law, DPS cannot share fingerprint check details with applicants. If you created an account on the DPS Public Services Portal, you can check your status there. For more information, contact the agency that requested your fingerprint check.
How can I check the status of my fingerprint background check?
If you have a DPS Public Services Portal account, you can check the status on your applicant dashboard. If not, or if you need more details, contact the agency that requested the check. The agency will receive the results once processing is complete.
What should I do if my fingerprints were rejected?
Fingerprints can be rejected due to poor quality or errors. If that happens, the requesting agency will get a reject letter from DPS. You will need to submit a new set of fingerprints.
- If you were fingerprinted by Fieldprint, you can return to the same location for a free reprint.
- If you submitted a paper fingerprint card, you will need to submit another paper fingerprint card. Check with your agency to see if there is a specific place you need to have this done; if not, you can be re-fingerprinted wherever those services are offered.
- If your fingerprints have been rejected more than once and you have a reject letter from DPS, you can bring a printed copy (not on your phone) to the DPS Public Services Center at 2222 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix. Check in at the kiosk and take a ticket for Window 12 - Fingerprint Unit. The technician must have the printed letter to retake your fingerprints.
Should I apply for a Clearance Card or a fingerprint criminal history check?
Clearance Cards and fingerprint criminal history checks are two different processes handled by DPS. The agency requesting the check will tell you which one to complete.
- Clearance Card: Apply online through the DPS Public Services Portal. Your agency should tell you which statute to select.
- Fingerprint Criminal History Check: Your agency will either send your fingerprints or give you instructions to submit them through the Portal.
Make sure you know which one before applying. Fingerprints and results cannot be shared between two processes, and fees are non-refundable.
How can an agency join the electronic fingerprint process?
Agencies must first be registered with the DPS Access Integrity Unit as an authorized recipient for fingerprint criminal history checks. They can call 602-223-2488 or email [email protected] to get started.
If the agency already registered and has a purpose code from DPS, the agency should create an account on the DPS Public Services Portal to receive results. Once set up, applicants can submit electronic fingerprints through Fieldprint.
Please contact us using any of the methods listed below:
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We are closed on all state and federal holidays.
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
Phone: (602) 223-2223
Fax: (602) 223-2972
Mail:
Arizona Department of Public Safety
Applicant Processing Team
PO Box 18430 | Mail Drop 3190
Phoenix, AZ 85005
Physical Address:
Arizona Department of Public Safety
Public Services Center
2222 W. Encanto Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85009
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