FAQ

You should notify both the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Board of Fingerprinting of a legal name change. You will need to provide a copy of the documentation that officially recorded the name change. For instance, if you get married, you will need to submit a copy of the marriage certificate. For information on how to submit documentation of your name change to DPS, you may contact DPS at (602) 223-2279.

Yes. You should contact the Board of Fingerprinting by mail, fax, or e-mail ([email protected], if you've filed an email authorization form) as soon as possible when you have a change in contact information, particularly your mailing address. The Board will send information to the last known address. Some of this information may be time sensitive, such as a notice of hearing.

At any time, you may try again to get a good cause exception. However, you must apply again to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for a fingerprint clearance card. After DPS denies your application, you may request a good cause exception and begin the process again.

If you are denied a good cause exception, you will receive a letter that describes other legal options that may be available to you.

If the Board approves your application, it sends a letter to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), which issues the cards and where you originally applied for a fingerprint clearance card. This letter will request that DPS issue a fingerprint clearance card. In general, once it receives the Board's letter, DPS will issue the card within a couple of weeks.

If we received your application on or after September 26, 2008, the administrative law judge will make a recommendation to the Board, and the Board will make the final decision.

No. For almost all applications (the ones submitted on or after September 26, 2008), at some point after your hearing, the administrative law judge will file a written recommendation to the Board to grant or deny you a good cause exception.

Individuals who need a sign-language interpreter should submit a written request to the Board of Fingerprinting as soon as possible. We will hire an interpreter for the hearing. However, it is important that you submit this request as far in advance of your hearing as possible, preferably as soon as you get your notice of hearing. Sometimes, sign-language interpreters have limited availability.

It may be possible to schedule your hearing for a date later than when you're scheduled. You may submit a written request to reschedule your hearing for a later date by mail, fax, or e-mail ([email protected]) . Your written request should explain why you want a later hearing date. If you have received a formal notice of hearing, you should assume that you must appear at your scheduled hearing, unless otherwise notified. Failure to attend your hearing may cause your good cause exception application to be denied.

On occasion, the administrative law judge will allow applicants to participate in their hearings by telephone. In order to qualify, an applicant must demonstrate that personally attending the hearing would be an undue hardship. The administrative law judges rarely grant requests to participate in a hearing by telephone.

Yes. If, without good reason, you do not appear at your hearing, your good cause exception application will be denied.