While fingerprints are taken using both digital live scan and ink methods in India, the majority of mistakes are seen in ink fingerprinting. This is because digital scanning machines automatically alert the technician on the spot if the prints do not meet the required standards. The prints are usually not accepted by the system unless they are clear and properly captured.
However, during ink fingerprinting, fingerprint cards are sometimes not checked carefully before being sent to the authorities. This can lead to rejection and force applicants to restart the process from the beginning.
No matter which type of fingerprinting is being used in your case, it is always best to understand why fingerprints get rejected and how to avoid these problems in advance. Below are some of the most common reasons for rejection and ways to make sure they do not happen to you:
We’ve all been there, your hands get a little clammy when you're nervous. If your fingers are wet or if the technician applies too much ink, the ink fills in the valleys between your fingerprint ridges. Instead of a crisp pattern, you end up with a dark, blurry blob.
To avoid this, you can ask for a paper towel to dry your hands immediately before printing. If the ink looks like a puddle on the card, you’ve used too much. The end result needs to be a thin, greyish-black film, not a coat of paint.
This causes the opposite of a smudge. If your skin is extremely dry or if there isn't enough ink on the pad, the ridges won’t pick up enough pigment to leave a continuous line. To a computer, this looks like a broken, unreadable pattern.
How to fix this? If you know that you tend to have dryness on your skin a lot, use a non-greasy moisturizer for a few days leading up to your appointment. Just don't apply it right before you walk in, or you'll end up back with sweaty palms or fingers!
If your finger slips or rotates while it's being pressed onto the card, this will lead to a smear. This creates a double image or a blurred section that masks the minutiae (the tiny details like splits and dots in your ridges) that agencies use for identification. The only fix is to keep your arm steady and move your entire hand as one unit.
It’s natural to think that if you press down your fingers hard, the ink will stick better. But fingerprints aren't like rubber stamps. When you press too hard, you flatten the skin ridges, causing them to spread out and smudge the delicate patterns. It’s best to just relax your hand and keep your fingers a bit limp during the process. Let the technician use the right amount of pressure for it.
This one usually isn't your fault! If you work with your hands, like in construction, gardening, or even frequent dishwashing, your ridges can actually wear down over time. Similarly, as we age, our skin loses elasticity and the prints tend to become less distinct.
If you know you have faint ridges, tell the technician. They sometimes carry a solution or an enhancer that can help the ridges pop. They are also aware of some techniques for your fingers to pick up a tiny bit of natural oil, which helps the ink adhere better. Rubbing the fingertip on the side of the nose or forehead is a common one.
A fingerprint isn't just the very tip of your finger. Agencies need to see those little triangular patterns where the ridges meet near the sides of your finger. These are called deltas. If the roll is too narrow, the software won't have enough data to confirm it's you.
While you’re giving the prints, make sure they’re being taken nail edge to nail edge. You should feel the side of your fingernail touch the paper on both the start and the finish of the roll.
If your fingerprints get rejected after ink fingerprint cards were submitted for an international background check, resubmission is the only option. Return to your fingerprinting agency with the rejection notice and request a retake. A reputable agency will redo the prints at no charge or a reduced fee if the rejection was caused by a quality issue on their end.
If your fingerprints cannot be processed and get rejected even after the second attempt, another rejection letter will be issued by the authority. You can submit this letter to the requesting agency, employer, or organization as valid documentation, confirming that despite multiple attempts, fingerprint-based identity verification was not possible. Many employers or immigration bodies might accept this letter alongside a name-based check as a substitute.
