Verify Candidate History with Fingerprint-based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)

First Advantage Biometrics, a subsidiary of Sterling and a member of the First Advantage family of companies, is designated as Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA’s) provider for fingerprint-based background checks. Effective October 2, 2023, these fingerprinting services became available to Transfer Agents/Clearing Agencies (TA/CAs) under a new program created when FINRA outsourced its fingerprint processing to First Advantage Biometrics.  

The success of your candidates’ fingerprinting experience is extremely important to us. First Advantage Biometrics focuses on delivering a simple, reliable, and efficient fingerprinting process that meets U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 17f-2 fingerprinting obligations. Our experienced technicians significantly reduce FBI rejections and comply with all FBI requirements for fingerprint capture and submission. First Advantage Biometrics will provide FBI criminal history record information results to FINRA, which will in turn make the results available to TA/CAs through secure email. 

Reliable, Simple, Fast Fingerprinting 

Transfer Agents/Clearing Agencies (TA/CAs) candidates located in the US or its territories are able to choose from First Advantage Biometrics’ Network of 650+ locations to conveniently have their fingerprints captured electronically via Live Scan devices. 

Live Scan 

Through our fingerprinting services, you can take advantage of the latest live scan capture technology which provides accurate and fast fingerprint collection.  

You’ll benefit from: 

• Centralized Client Hub. Fingerprint orders are placed and tracked in one place via our Client Hub 
• Seamless Candidate Experience. Candidates enter their information and select a convenient fingerprinting location in the Candidate Hub 
• Convenient Nationwide Network. Fingerprints are captured via First Advantage’s Biometrics Network with identity verification facilities in all 50 states and Washington DC on equipment that minimizes rejects 
• Fast Results. Most results are sent to FINRA the same day, though some may take longer

Hard Card 

Hard card fingerprint capture is available to TA/CA candidates within the US or its territories who require this method. Just like the Live Scan method, TA/CAs must use First Advantage’s Client Hub to place fingerprint orders and your candidates must leverage First Advantage’s Candidate Hub to provide FBI-required information. 

TA/CAs outside the US or its territories, FBI restrictions prohibit electronic fingerprint capture. Therefore, candidates who require fingerprinting in another country must have their fingerprints captured via FINRA-approved hard cards only. Additional program protocols are in place to comply with the FBI, including all completed hard cards for international candidates must be sent to FINRA and FINRA will send to First Advantage Biometrics for processing. 

Resource Center 

For step-by-step instructions on how to place fingerprinting orders in First Advantage’s Client Hub, please reach out to fa-biometrics@fadv.com for a copy of our First Advantage Fingerprinting User Guide for TA/CAs.  

First Advantage Biometrics provides a nationwide live-scan fingerprinting collection network with locations in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. 

If your firm requires hard card submissions as part of your TA/CA fingerprinting process, please follow the applicable US Domestic Hard Card Instructional Guide and/or International Hard Card instructional Guide.  

We Look Forward to a Successful Partnership 

If you need any assistance placing a fingerprinting order or have additional questions, please contact First Advantage’s customer support Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. by phone at 1-833-794-2009 or email at fa-biometrics@fadv.com. 

For questions about fingerprinting requirements, please see FINRA’s FAQ or contact TA_CA.operations@finra.org.