The only difference is when your fingerprints are taken.

Once an applicant’s fingerprints have been taken for a Non-IVP paper application the technician is able to return the completed fingerprint card to the applicant for delivery to DPS, along with the application and fee for processing.

For an IVP paper application, the statutes on the application require the submission of “Identity Verified Prints” (IVP) pursuant to ARS § 15-106 which reads in part:

…The law enforcement agency, school district, charter school or other entity shall verify the identity of the applicant through recognized means of photographic identification and a comparison of the demographic information on the photographic identification against the demographic information on the application form and the fingerprint card. The authorized person taking the fingerprints shall enter on the application form a description of the photographic identification presented by the applicant. The law enforcement agency, school district, charter school or other entity shall place the completed fingerprint card, the completed application form or any other form required by the department of public safety and the fee provided by the applicant in the postage prepaid envelope provided by the department of public safety and mail it to the fingerprinting division in the department of public safety…

This means the technician taking the fingerprints must not break the chain of custody by giving the fingerprints back to the applicant, but must mail the fingerprint card directly to DPS, along with the application and fee, in the provided blue DPS return envelope.

The same background check is done for both the Non-IVP and IVP application. 

There are some offenses listed in ARS § 41-1758.07(B) that preclude a Level One (IVP or non-IVP) Card from being issued but would allow a Regular (IVP or non-IVP) Card to be issued.

Ask the employer or agency that requires you to obtain the card if you have questions about which card type you need.

Pursuant to ARS §§ 41-1758.03(D) and 41-1758.07(D), or ARS § 41-1758.04(D), DPS is required to issue either a Regular or Level One Driving Restricted Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Both ARS §§ 41-1758.03(D) and 41-1758.07(D) state in part:

A person who is awaiting trial on or who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit a misdemeanor violation of ARS §§ 28-1381, 28-1382 or 28-1383 in this state or the same or a similar offense in another state or jurisdiction within five years from the date of applying for a … Fingerprint Clearance Card is precluded from driving any vehicle to transport employees or clients of the employing agency as part of the person's employment. Statutes mandate a notation be placed on the Fingerprint Clearance Card that indicates this driving restriction. This does not preclude a person from driving a vehicle alone as part of the person's employment. 

There are two ways to apply:

1. Submit an Electronic Application - Non-IVP or IVP:

To apply electronically, click the "Apply for a Card" tab.

· NOTE: If you need to submit an IVP Renewal Application, you can still apply electronically. On the "Reasons" page, be sure you select one of the two IVP Renewal Options on the dropdown menu. In lieu of setting up an appointment to be fingerprinted, you will be required to provide the IVP # that is on the front of your current card.

2. Submit a Paper Application - Non-IVP or IVP:

· To obtain a paper application, for a Non-IVP card, click HERE, select the option to apply for a new card, and then click Non-IVP for the printable pdf. For a paper application for an IVP card, please email [email protected] and request the IVP application. Please include your full name and mailing address.

· You may be able to obtain a paper application from your employer or agency. 

Paper Application - Non-IVP or IVP:

· The DPS fee* is currently $67.00**, except for volunteers. The fee for volunteers is $65.00**.

· DPS can only accept the following forms of payment, made payable to the Arizona Department of Public Safety:

· Cashier's Check

· Money Order

· Business check with pre-printed business address

· State agencies may also elect to submit a State Companion Action Transfer form for paper application processing.

· Depending where you have your fingerprints taken, there may be an additional fee for service, which is not controlled by DPS.

*The DPS fee is used to process the application regardless of the final result, approval or denial of a Fingerprint Clearance Card.

**The DPS fee is subject to change at any time and is non-refundable, pursuant to ARS § 41-1750(J). 

Electronic Application - Non-IVP or IVP:

· The DPS fee* is currently $67.00**, except for volunteers.  The fee for volunteers is $65.00**.

· A credit card fee will be charged with the application fee when applying online and paying by credit card.

· There is an additional vendor fee for electronic fingerprints. Please contact the vendor for more fee information.

· The electronic application processing fee may be paid on-line when you apply with either a credit or debit card.

· State agencies and employers may establish an account for direct billing with the DPS vendor for electronic application process and will provide the applicant with a funding code to use online. 

*The DPS fee is used to process the application regardless of the final result, approval or denial of a Fingerprint Clearance Card.

**The DPS fee is subject to change at any time and is non-refundable, pursuant to ARS § 41-1750(J).

No. DPS does not provide fingerprinting for the public for this purpose. For fingerprinting services, it is recommended you contact your local police department or a professional fingerprinting service.

Your fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the state of Arizona and of the FBI. DPS and the FBI may retain your fingerprints and associated information after the completion of this application and, while retained, your fingerprints may continue to be compared against other fingerprints, including latent fingerprints submitted to or retained by DPS and the FBI.

If you have a criminal history record, the officials making the determination of your suitability for the job, license, or other benefit must provide you the opportunity to complete or challenge the accuracy of the information in the record. You should be afforded a reasonable amount of time to correct or complete the record (or decline to do so) before officials deny you the job, license, or other benefit based on information in the criminal history record.

The procedures for obtaining a change, correction, or updating of your FBI criminal history record are set forth in Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Sections 16.30 through 16.34. Information on how to review and challenge your FBI criminal history record can be found at www.fbi.gov, under Criminal History Summary Checks, or by calling (304) 625-5590.

To obtain a copy of your Arizona criminal history record to review, update or correct, you can contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety Central State Repository at (602) 223-2222 or visit here to request a Review and Challenge.

No. DPS cannot pre-screen an applicant. DPS cannot determine if an applicant is eligible for a Fingerprint Clearance Card until the fingerprint-based state and federal background results are received and reviewed.

Precluding offenses for a Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card are listed in ARS § 41-1758.07 subsections B and C.

· Precluding offenses for a Regular Fingerprint Clearance Card are listed ARS § 41-1758.03 subsections B and C.

DPS cannot send an email or fax to an employer regarding the status of an application or to verify a clearance card is valid. The employer will need to use the option noted under the FAQ "How and when can I check the status of an application or check to see if a Fingerprint Clearance Card is valid?".

If you provided a valid email address when you submitted your application, you will receive an email once your application is entered into the DPS database, advising you that your application is in process. DPS cannot send a fax with this information. If you did not provide an email address, you will need to use the option noted above to check the status of your application or to verify that your card is valid.

How:

· You can check the status of an electronic or paper application (you will need your application or card number)online: Fingerprint Clearance Card/Application Status

When:

The status of a paper application will not be available online, or if you call, until it has been entered into the DPS database. How long before it is entered will vary daily based on mail transport time and the volume of applications received by DPS. No specific time frame can be provided.

For electronic applications, allow approximately 24-48 hours (could possibly take longer) after you have been fingerprinted for the status to be available online.

Yes. The only way DPS will know if your address changes is if you contact DPS directly. It is imperative you contact DPS with your current address to ensure you receive any correspondence concerning your application.

No. A photocopy of a Fingerprint Clearance Card or the Card itself is not proof that it is a valid card. As an employer, you will need to either check the status online or contact DPS (see FAQ "How and when can I check the status of an application or check to see if a Fingerprint Clearance Card is valid?") to determine if the person has a valid card. 

If the person only provides a photocopy they should request a replacement of their Fingerprint Clearance Card (see FAQ “HOW MAY I OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT OF MY FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE CARD IF IT IS LOST, STOLEN OR MY NAME CHANGES?”).

You will need to submit a Fingerprint Clearance Card Replacement Request form. The form may be submitted by one of these two ways:

Online - A replacement can be obtained online on our Public Services Portal linked below.

· By Paper - Click the card replacement form linked above to download and print the form. Fill it out completely and return it using one of the options described on the form. If mailing it back, ensure to include the $5.00 fee in the form of a cashier’s check, money order or check drawn on a business account.

A Fingerprint Clearance Card is valid for six (6) years.

DPS recommends renewal application be submitted approximately six months prior to the current card expiration. This will allow for adequate processing time as well as any issues or concerns that may arise in the process.

If the front of your card contains an IVP #, you do not have to submit fingerprints with your renewal application. DPS has your fingerprints stored electronically. Be sure to note the IVP# that is on your card in the space provided on the paper application form or on the electronic form. Without this information, your application cannot be processed. Please note: it may be possible the FBI will reject the fingerprints DPS has on file due to the quality, so you may have to be reprinted for the FBI.

Depending on the offense or offenses for which you were denied, you MAY be eligible to pursue a good cause exception through the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting. The Board of Fingerprinting is a separate state agency from DPS. Therefore, DPS is not authorized to respond to any questions you may have regarding the good cause exception process. The Board of Fingerprinting’s contact information will be included in the DPS denial notice. For more information regarding the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting, please visit their website.

Information on how a Fingerprint Clearance Card can be reactivated is provided in the DPS suspension notice that is sent when the card is suspended.

Yes. Email the Clearance Card Section at [email protected] (be sure to provide your full name, application number, and date of birth). A copy of the letter will be mailed to you via US Mail. Due to the confidential criminal history information contained in the letter, it cannot be faxed or sent via email.

No. The DPS Clearance Card Section does not provide blank applicant fingerprint cards for any other purpose than applications. You can contact the FBI to see if they can provide them to you or find a vendor that carries Applicant FD-258 Fingerprint Cards.