Fingerprinting is one of the most important parts of the USPS hiring procedure. Usually, USPS requires fingerprinting and background checks to ensure the person they are hiring has no bad track record. Here, we gonna talk about whether you need an appointment or not for your USPS fingerprinting.
The article also provides information about its importance, what are the reasons we need it, and how long it takes for the whole procedure. Stay tuned with the article, if you are interested in knowing more about it.
What is USPS Fingerprinting and Why do we need it?
Whenever there is a new hire in the USPS, the selected candidate has to go through all the procedures of fingerprinting and background checks. These types of procedures are quite important, especially for those positions that require handling of high-value items.
It is done on purpose to check whether the person selected has a criminal history or not, and also to verify the identity of the person. It also ensures that only trustworthy and qualified people are hired for the job without any criminal background.
The process is quite simple where the fingerprint of the selected candidate is scanned and then submitted to the FBI and State Sheriff’s Department to check whether the person has a criminal background or not.
If you are applying for the Postal police officer, Clerk, Carrier, or Mail Handler then you need to go through the USPS Fingerprinting procedure to verify that you are a genuine person with no criminal background.
How To Book a USPS Fingerprinting Appointment?
The USPS provides an easy and convenient way to book fingerprint appointments online using their official website. These are the bunch of steps that you need to do to book your appointment:
- Firstly, you need to check whether there is a need for an appointment or not. Some locations simply have walk-ins while in others you have to make an appointment.
- In case, an appointment is required, you are required to visit the official website of USPS where you will find the fingerprint and tab on it.
- Now put your Zip Code along with your contact information and the website will show you the available fingerprinting location near your zipcode.
- Now choose the date and time for your appointment at your convenience and book it.
- Once your appointment is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email from USPS.
- Lastly, you just need to arrive at the scheduled date and time with all your required documents to complete the whole procedure.
Why is USPS Fingerprinting so Important?
The complete procedure of USPS fingerprinting is quite important and holds significant importance for several reasons:
Security:
Background Checks: It helps the USPS to know whether the selected person is trustworthy or not. It helps to know the person’s track record with crime and criminal activity especially those who are related to theft, fraud, and violence.
Identity Verification: It’s a reliable method to verify whether the person applying for a position is genuine or they are using a fake identity to get a job.
Follow Up With Compliance:
Being a Federal Agency, the USPS is required to comply with all the rules and regulations like background checks and fingerprinting especially for positions that involve access to sensitive information or handling of money(high-value packages).
Besides that, it also helps the USPS to authenticate the identities of those accessing sensitive information or facilities as they have fingerprint records of everyone working in the facility.
It prevents unauthorized persons from compromising and stealing information about the USPS operations.
Public Safety
It ensures that USPS employees have passed through a thorough background check which improves the safety and security of the package delivery system. It also helps the public to be safe from potential harm or fraud. These types of procedures also build the trust of customers with the postal service giving them a feeling that they do care about their customers.
Where You Can Get Fingerprinted For USPS
USPS offers fingerprinting services at several designated post offices that you can choose while booking an appointment, through their official website. These are some general locations where you can easily avail the service of USPS fingerprinting:
- Local Post Office: There are a lot of post offices that have these on-site fingerprinting services, so you just need to visit the place and you are all good to go.
- Main Post Office: If you are living in a metropolitan city, then you can easily avail of the services of USPS Fingerprinting, just make sure you have an appointment.
- USPS Sorting & Distribution Centers: Many Sorting and distribution facilities of USPS have these services where the newly hired candidates can complete their complete this procedure.
- Standalone USPS Fingerprinting Sites: These are specially designated facilities that are specially set up for fingerprinting and background checks.
When Scheduling an appointment, USPS will show you all the nearby available locations where you can get these services, so choose your location and a flexible time as per your convenience and complete the whole fingerprinting procedure.
*Pro Tip: Contact your local post office, if you are unsure whether such service is available at their facility or not. If somehow it is, then you don’t need to go anywhere.
What documentation is necessary to bring for the USPS Fingerprinting?
These are a few important documents that you need to bring along with you if you are going to complete the USPS procedure.
- Appointment Letter: This is a confirmation letter that you need to carry.
- Valid Government-Issued ID: You are required to have a valid govt ID that proves you are the actual person as shown in the ID proof.
- Fee Payment: Lastly, a fee of about $50-60 is required to be paid either via cash, debit, or credit card to complete the whole procedure.
Make sure you have the original ID along with the Photocopy so don’t have to worry about anything. Your Identity needs to be verified before the fingerprinting can be done.
If you don’t have a valid photo ID proof, then you need to contact the USPS and ask them for alternative options that you can use.
How long does it take for the Completion of USPS Fingerprinting Process?
Here, is a brief overview of what exactly happened during the USPS Fingerprinting Process:
- Check-In: Here, you have to provide your appointment letter and a valid photo ID proof to enter the facility.
- Fee Payment: Now you need to pay the usual fee for the fingerprinting procedure which is $50-60.
- Finger Scanning(printing): Now an official person will scan and take the image of a fingerprint and submit it to the FBI and State sheriff database to run checks of criminal records.
- ID Check: Once, the officer is done with the fingerprint, the provided data is sent to the FBI and state authorities to check, and verify the authenticity of the person. It also helps us to know whether the person has some criminal background or not.
- Completion: If the whole procedure is complete without any issues then you will receive a confirmation that your entire process of fingerprinting is completed.
The process is all about taking the fingerprints and doesn’t involve any documentation other than the ID proof.
In short, the whole procedure takes around 10-20 minutes and after that, you are all good to go.
Can I Reschedule a USPS Fingerprinting Appointment?
Yes, you can reschedule a USPS fingerprinting appointment very easily. The process to reschedule your appointment is very simple and has a few straightforward steps. Here’s how you can do it:
Visit the USPS Website
Firstly, you need to visit the official USPS website or the specific site where you initially scheduled your fingerprinting appointment.
Access Your Appointment Details
Log in to your account using the credentials(ID & Password) that you used when you scheduled your original appointment. Find the section where your appointments are listed. This is typically found under a “My Appointments” or similar tab.
Reschedule the Appointment
Once, you have found the appointment tab, then select the appointment that you wish to reschedule. There you will find an option to reschedule or modify the appointment. Click on that option. Now you can select a new date and time for your fingerprinting appointment from the available slots. Review the appointment details and click on the confirm option.
Receive Confirmation
If your rescheduling is complete, then you will receive a confirmation email with the new appointment details.
Keep in mind, to check your email to ensure the changes that you have made have been confirmed.