Fingerprint Information
Fingerprint Information
Minnesota StatuTe 122A.18, subd.8 requires all applicants applying for their initial Minnesota teaching license to obtain a criminal background check including a fingerprint check. There are some general guidelines applicants may use to make this process more efficient:
Request a fingerprint card from the State Department of Education. Other cards will not be accepted and applicants may be required to pay an additional submission fee. The fingerprint card must have the Minnesota Department of Education return address information on it.
Applicants may contact a law enforcement agency regarding services and fees. Some agencies may only provide fingerprinting services to area residents. Fees vary for initial fingerprinting. Many agencies will redo submissions, if needed, at no additional charge if the initial printing was completed at that site. Applicants may need to provide a receipt. Also, some agencies may not accept various forms of payment such as cash or checks.
To avoid having your fingerprint card rejected, all boxes must be completed including identification information and the card should not contain smudges. Please do not write in the boxes marked “leave blank” or “OCA”, “FBI”, or “Miscellaneous.” All information should be written in black ink.
Many agencies recommend using a good hand lotion for a week or more prior to printing, especially if your skin tends to be dry.
Applicants may contact the Educator Licensing office for a fingerprint card at 651/582-8691 or email us at mde.educator-licensing@state.mn.us with your name and mailing address. The completed fingerprint card must be submitted with the licensure application packet
Some local agencies are identified below for your convenience.
Anoka County 763/323-5102 $10; 24 hrs; open to anyone;
avoid lunch hr, picture id
Dakota County 651/438-4700 $15 cash only;
Tues. 9-11 am only
Hennepin County Sheriff Office 612/348-3744 $15
Ramsey County 651/266-9585 $15: hours 8-4
Washington County 651/430-7900 $10; 24 hrs
Apple Valley Police 952/953-2700 $10; residents only; call first
Eden Prairie Police 952/949-6200 Do Not Do Prints
Lakeville Police 952/985-4800 $10 resident Mon-Fri 8-5
$25 nonresident
Anoka (city) 763/421-6632 Do Not Do Print
Cottage Grove 651/458-2850 $30 residents;
$50 nonresidents
Mon-Fri 7-4:30
Forest Lake 763/464-5877 Free; city residents only
Hastings 651/480-2300 $5; city residents only Mon-Fri 8-4:30
In addition, there are private agencies in the Twin City area that will do fingerprinting. Their hours are quite flexible, but appointments are often required. If there is a group of ten or more to be fingerprinted, someone will come to the site. Resubmissions may be an additional charge.
A Plus Fingerprinting (Burnsville) 952/894-6979 $25.00 1st card
$ 5.00 add cards
Hannon Security Services 952/881-5865 $20.00 1st card
(Bloomington) $ 5.00 add cards
Associates for Identification 952/890-7901 $15.00
(Burnsville)
Mobile Electronic Fingerprinting 952/884-0033 $25.00
(new name) Fingerprint International Mon-Fri 8-5
Revised 3/26/07
MDE E-mail Updates