Mobile Fingerprinting Service

Individuals needing prints for adoption, professional licenses, name-change or visa paperwork, plus small employers, schools and agencies that need staff screened.

A fee per appointment, usually per card or per set of prints, plus a travel fee. Extra income from add-ons such as notarizing forms or rush service.

• Steady hands and attention to detail
• Patient, calm manner with nervous customers
• Organized scheduling and record keeping

• Many agencies only accept prints from approved vendors or digital capture, so confirm what each agency accepts before you promise anything
• General liability and professional (errors and omissions) insurance, check what you need
• Rejected cards from poor-quality prints can mean redoing work for free
• Keep customers' personal data secure, and check any state rules on storing or handling it
• Check your city or county for a business license requirement

Startup costs are typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on whether you use ink cards or digital equipment where your state allows it, and on the supplies and insurance you choose.

Monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many appointments you take, how far you travel and whether you pair fingerprinting with notary services. Hours can start as low as about 5 a week.

Confirm what each agency accepts before promising anything, since many only take prints from approved vendors or digital capture. Also check insurance, your city or county business license rules, and state rules on storing customers' personal data.