1. Acceptance of Terms
By scheduling an appointment, submitting fingerprints, or utilizing any services provided by 1st Choice Fingerprinting (hereinafter "the Company," "we," "our," or "us"), you ("client" or "applicant") agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, you should not use our services.
2. Services Provided
1st Choice Fingerprinting is an authorized Ohio National WebCheck® provider operating under the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) program. We offer:
- Ohio BCI criminal background checks (state-level)
- FBI criminal background checks (federal/national level)
- Electronic fingerprint capture via WebCheck® certified equipment
- Live scan fingerprinting for employment, licensing, volunteering, and other authorized purposes
We are a fingerprint capture and submission service only. We do not conduct, control, or adjudicate background check results. All results are generated and disseminated by BCI and/or the FBI.
3. Eligibility & Identification Requirements
To receive services, you must:
- Be the individual whose fingerprints are being submitted
- Present a valid, government-issued photo ID at the time of service (e.g., driver's license, state ID, passport)
- Provide the correct Ohio Revised Code (ORC) reason code and/or agency mailing address as required by your employer, licensing board, or requesting organization
We reserve the right to refuse service to any individual who cannot provide acceptable identification or whose request does not align with an authorized statutory purpose under Ohio law.
4. FBI Background Check Requirement
In addition to a BCI check, an FBI background check may be required by the requesting agency if any of the following apply:
- You do not currently reside in the State of Ohio
- You have not lived in Ohio for the last five (5) consecutive years
- You have ever been arrested and/or convicted of a crime in another state
It is the client's responsibility to confirm with their requesting organization whether an FBI check is required. We will collect and submit fingerprints for FBI checks upon your request and authorization.
5. Fees & Payment
All fees are due at the time of service. Accepted payment methods are posted at each location. Fees are non-refundable once fingerprints have been submitted to BCI/FBI, regardless of the outcome of your background check.
The BCI fee is set by the State of Ohio and is subject to change at any time. 1st Choice Fingerprinting will make reasonable efforts to post current fee schedules but is not liable for fee changes made by the Attorney General without prior notice to the Company.
6. Results - Delivery & Limitations
6.1 Results Sent Directly from BCI
Background check results are mailed directly from BCI to the requesting organization or individual address provided at the time of service. 1st Choice Fingerprinting does not receive, hold, forward, or have access to your background check results.
6.2 Turnaround Time
Results may take up to 30 days to be mailed by BCI. We make no representations regarding turnaround time, as processing is entirely within BCI's and/or the FBI's control.
6.3 Address Accuracy
It is your responsibility to verify that the correct mailing address has been entered into the WebCheck system before leaving the location. We cannot redirect results once submitted.
6.4 Re-Verification
If you have had a WebCheck completed within the last 12 months, you may be eligible to contact BCI directly at 1-877-224-0043 to inquire whether a re-verification or re-use of prints is available based on applicable rules and the requesting agency's requirements.
7. Authorized Use & Dissemination of Criminal History Information
Access to computerized criminal history (CCH) information is governed by both Ohio state law and federal law, including Public Law 92-544. By using our services:
- You acknowledge that background check results may only be used for the specific authorized purpose indicated on your WebCheck request form
- Results may not be duplicated, shared, or used for any purpose other than the authorized reason under Ohio Revised Code § 109.572
- Unauthorized use or dissemination of criminal history records is a violation of state and/or federal law and may result in criminal charges
- 1st Choice Fingerprinting does not disseminate, share, or retain your criminal history results. All results flow directly from BCI/FBI to the designated recipient.
8. Authorization & Consent
By submitting to fingerprinting services, you:
- Authorize 1st Choice Fingerprinting to capture and electronically submit your fingerprints to the Ohio Attorney General's BCI and/or the FBI on your behalf
- Authorize BCI and/or the FBI to conduct a criminal records check and disseminate results to the requesting organization or address you have designated
- Acknowledge that you have reviewed all information entered on the WebCheck screen and that all information provided is accurate
- Release and discharge the Ohio Attorney General's Office, BCI, the FBI, and 1st Choice Fingerprinting and its employees from all claims and liability related to this authorized criminal record review and dissemination to the fullest extent permitted by law.
This authorization is valid for one transaction only.
9. Privacy & Data Handling
1st Choice Fingerprinting collects limited personal information (name, date of birth, identification number, and contact information) solely for the purpose of completing the WebCheck transaction. We do not sell, share, or use your personal information for any purpose other than service fulfillment.
Fingerprint images are transmitted directly to BCI via the certified WebCheck system and are not stored by 1st Choice Fingerprinting beyond what is required to complete the transaction. Transaction records are retained for a minimum of one (1) year as required under the National WebCheck Agreement.
For questions about how BCI handles your data, contact: BCI Civilian Identification Unit, 1-877-224-0043, option 7.
10. Errors & Accuracy
You are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information entered at the time of your appointment. Any errors or omissions on the WebCheck form are your responsibility. 1st Choice Fingerprinting is not liable for delays, rejections, or incorrect results arising from inaccurate information you provide.
In the event of a rejected submission due to print quality, we will make reasonable efforts to re-capture your fingerprints. Additional fees may apply for re-submissions.
11. Limitation of Liability
1st Choice Fingerprinting is a WebCheck vendor only. We do not determine, influence, or adjudicate the results of any background check. We are not responsible for:
- The content, accuracy, or completeness of background check results issued by BCI or the FBI
- Any employment, licensing, or other decisions made by third parties based on background check results
- Delays in processing caused by BCI, the FBI, or postal services
- Errors resulting from inaccurate information provided by the applicant
To the maximum extent permitted by Ohio law, our liability to any client arising from services rendered shall not exceed the total fees paid by that client for the specific transaction at issue.
12. No Guarantee of Outcome
1st Choice Fingerprinting makes no representations or guarantees regarding the outcome of any background check, or whether a particular background check result will satisfy the requirements of any employer, licensing agency, or requesting organization. Clients are encouraged to contact their requesting organization with questions about acceptable results before scheduling a WebCheck.
13. Right to Refuse or Cancel Service
We reserve the right to refuse or cancel service at any time for reasons including, but not limited to:
- Failure to present valid government-issued photo ID
- Inability to verify the statutory purpose for the background check
- Disruptive, threatening, or fraudulent conduct
- Technical issues with WebCheck equipment or BCI connectivity
If service is canceled prior to fingerprint submission, a refund of the vendor fee may be issued at our discretion. The BCI fee is not refundable once charged.
14. Dispute Resolution
Any dispute arising from services provided by 1st Choice Fingerprinting shall first be addressed through direct communication with our office at 614-721-5067 or fingerprinting@1stcfs.org. If a resolution cannot be reached, disputes shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, with venue in Franklin County, Ohio.
15. Changes to These Terms
1st Choice Fingerprinting reserves the right to update or modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Updated terms will be posted at our locations and on our website at www.1stchoicefingerprints.org. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
16. Contact Information
For questions about these Terms and Conditions or our services:
1st Choice Fingerprinting
Reynoldsburg & Westerville, Ohio
Phone: 614-721-5067
Email: fingerprinting@1stcfs.org
Website: www.1stchoicefingerprintins.org
By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.