When to get finger printed?
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- nightmare69
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2052
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:03 pm
- Location: East Texas
When to get finger printed?
My CHL instructor said *once you mail off your packed about 10 days after DPS receives it they will mail you a letter telling you to go get your finger prints done.*
Ive seen others on the "Waiting Room" forum who got their finger prints done before or shortly after they mail off their packet. I was told I could not get mine done until DPS mails the letter saying I could, L1 Identity would not take anyone who did not have said letter. So how are people doing this without the letter? Someone explain this wizardy.
Ive seen others on the "Waiting Room" forum who got their finger prints done before or shortly after they mail off their packet. I was told I could not get mine done until DPS mails the letter saying I could, L1 Identity would not take anyone who did not have said letter. So how are people doing this without the letter? Someone explain this wizardy.
2/26-Mailed paper app and packet.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
- Wodathunkit
- Senior Member
- Posts: 895
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:18 am
- Location: Friendswood, Texas
Re: When to get finger printed?
Don't wait! Go get printed now, no since adding extra wait time to your license.
When you fill out your application on line you are emailed a bar code message telling you what you need. Tis bar code number is your "ID" for your finger prints. Go online to L1, enter your bar code number, and set an appointment.
When you fill out your application on line you are emailed a bar code message telling you what you need. Tis bar code number is your "ID" for your finger prints. Go online to L1, enter your bar code number, and set an appointment.
Last edited by Wodathunkit on Thu Feb 28, 2013 3:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Character is doing the right thing, even when nobody is looking" - J.C. watts Jr.
CHL since Jan. 2013
53 days mailbox to mailbox.
CHL since Jan. 2013
53 days mailbox to mailbox.
Re: When to get finger printed?
I got mine a week or two before I submitted my paperwork. I don;t think the DPS can start the background check without your prints.
Did you fill out the application online? If so, it should have given you the ability to set up an appointment for your prints. In a lot of parts of the state prints are running 3-4 weeks backlogged.
Did you fill out the application online? If so, it should have given you the ability to set up an appointment for your prints. In a lot of parts of the state prints are running 3-4 weeks backlogged.
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Re: When to get finger printed?
CHL Class 12/29/12
OnLine registration 12/30/12
Fingerprint 12/31/12
Packet Mailed 12/31/12
OnLine registration 12/30/12
Fingerprint 12/31/12
Packet Mailed 12/31/12
- nightmare69
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2052
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:03 pm
- Location: East Texas
Re: When to get finger printed?
No I did the mail in app along with all the paperwork from the class, photos, notarization, copy of DL ect.RX8er wrote:I got mine a week or two before I submitted my paperwork. I don;t think the DPS can start the background check without your prints.
Did you fill out the application online? If so, it should have given you the ability to set up an appointment for your prints. In a lot of parts of the state prints are running 3-4 weeks backlogged.
2/26-Mailed paper app and packet.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
- nightmare69
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2052
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:03 pm
- Location: East Texas
Re: When to get finger printed?
Wodathunkit wrote:Don't wait! Go get printed now, no since adding extra wait time to your license.
When you fill out your application on line you are emailed a bar code message telling you what you need. Tis bar code number is your "ID" for your finger prints. Go online to L1, enter your bar code number, and set an appointment.
I did it snail mail, did I dun goofed?
2/26-Mailed paper app and packet.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
- The_Busy_Mom
- Senior Member
- Posts: 352
- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:07 pm
- Location: DFW Metro Area
Re: When to get finger printed?
Hmmm.nightmare69 wrote:Wodathunkit wrote:Don't wait! Go get printed now, no since adding extra wait time to your license.
When you fill out your application on line you are emailed a bar code message telling you what you need. Tis bar code number is your "ID" for your finger prints. Go online to L1, enter your bar code number, and set an appointment.
I did it snail mail, did I dun goofed?

If I am correct, and you have to wait, you might be looking at 3-4 weeks or so before you would even get a letter back from DPS.

Texas CHL Instructor / NRA Certified Instructor
Final Shot Armory - Specializing in Firearms Sales & Transfers, NFA Sales
$20 Transfers for Current TX CHL Holders, Military, Teachers, LEO / $25 Everyone else
http://www.FinalShotUS.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Final Shot Armory - Specializing in Firearms Sales & Transfers, NFA Sales
$20 Transfers for Current TX CHL Holders, Military, Teachers, LEO / $25 Everyone else
http://www.FinalShotUS.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Wodathunkit
- Senior Member
- Posts: 895
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:18 am
- Location: Friendswood, Texas
Re: When to get finger printed?
This is correct. Sorry nightmare I thought you did the online application. Just sit back and wait...........and wait.The_Busy_Mom wrote:Hmmm.nightmare69 wrote:Wodathunkit wrote:Don't wait! Go get printed now, no since adding extra wait time to your license.
When you fill out your application on line you are emailed a bar code message telling you what you need. Tis bar code number is your "ID" for your finger prints. Go online to L1, enter your bar code number, and set an appointment.
I did it snail mail, did I dun goofed?Since you did not do an online application, you do not have a checklist. So that means your application is not in the DPS system, so they do not have an access code for you to give to L1 for fingerprints. My immediate thought would be that you will have to wait for DPS to receive your application, get it in the system, and send you out a letter that has your code so that you can go to L1. However, you might give L1 a call and see what their procedures are. There might be another way, but I am not sure. Maybe someone else will chime in who mailed in their application and give some more insight.
If I am correct, and you have to wait, you might be looking at 3-4 weeks or so before you would even get a letter back from DPS.
TBM
"Character is doing the right thing, even when nobody is looking" - J.C. watts Jr.
CHL since Jan. 2013
53 days mailbox to mailbox.
CHL since Jan. 2013
53 days mailbox to mailbox.
- nightmare69
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2052
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:03 pm
- Location: East Texas
Re: When to get finger printed?
The_Busy_Mom wrote:Hmmm.nightmare69 wrote:Wodathunkit wrote:Don't wait! Go get printed now, no since adding extra wait time to your license.
When you fill out your application on line you are emailed a bar code message telling you what you need. Tis bar code number is your "ID" for your finger prints. Go online to L1, enter your bar code number, and set an appointment.
I did it snail mail, did I dun goofed?Since you did not do an online application, you do not have a checklist. So that means your application is not in the DPS system, so they do not have an access code for you to give to L1 for fingerprints. My immediate thought would be that you will have to wait for DPS to receive your application, get it in the system, and send you out a letter that has your code so that you can go to L1. However, you might give L1 a call and see what their procedures are. There might be another way, but I am not sure. Maybe someone else will chime in who mailed in their application and give some more insight.
If I am correct, and you have to wait, you might be looking at 3-4 weeks or so before you would even get a letter back from DPS.
TBM
I did not know I could do a online app. My CHL class gave us all the paperwork needed to send in at 1 time so I used the packet provided to me. He said it would be about 10 days before we received the letter from DPS to schedule out finger prints. So I guess I have to wait for the letter cause I can't get it done without it. For the people saying that L1 is 3 to 4 weeks behind on appointments? How long does it take to be finger printed?...5mins? I was hoping to schedule mine during my lunch break.
2/26-Mailed paper app and packet.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
- Wodathunkit
- Senior Member
- Posts: 895
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:18 am
- Location: Friendswood, Texas
Re: When to get finger printed?
Fingerprinting is the quick part, getting the appointment......that might take a little longer. Please keep the bored updated to how long your 10 days really takes.
"Character is doing the right thing, even when nobody is looking" - J.C. watts Jr.
CHL since Jan. 2013
53 days mailbox to mailbox.
CHL since Jan. 2013
53 days mailbox to mailbox.
Re: When to get finger printed?
nightmare69 wrote: I did not know I could do a online app. My CHL class gave us all the paperwork needed to send in at 1 time so I used the packet provided to me. He said it would be about 10 days before we received the letter from DPS to schedule out finger prints. So I guess I have to wait for the letter cause I can't get it done without it. For the people saying that L1 is 3 to 4 weeks behind on appointments? How long does it take to be finger printed?...5mins? I was hoping to schedule mine during my lunch break.
I think you / the instructor is being optimistic. I think the consensus right now is that it is taking DPS up to 3 weeks just to open your application to start the process.
The prints take about 15 minutes to complete but there are 15,000 people a month trying to get CHL according to a DPS rep I spoke with and normally there are 4000 to 5000. That is a LOT of prints to be done.
Final Shot offers Firearms / FFL Transfers / CHL Instruction. Please like our Facebook Page.
If guns kill people, do pens misspell words?
I like options: Sig Sauer | DPMS | Springfield Armory | Glock | Beretta
If guns kill people, do pens misspell words?
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- nightmare69
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2052
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:03 pm
- Location: East Texas
Re: When to get finger printed?
Ill keep you posted on how long the letter takes to get to me. Is is really that bad trying to get a appointment? In east Texas we have 7 different locations to be printed, 1 is 10mins from my house. Ill just take the first available even if I have to take off work.
2/26-Mailed paper app and packet.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
- The_Busy_Mom
- Senior Member
- Posts: 352
- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:07 pm
- Location: DFW Metro Area
Re: When to get finger printed?
Not real sure where you are located, but you could absolutely get your fingerprints done on your lunch break if you are close enough to a location. The thing is, when you get to L1 website to sign up for fingerprints, the website has a list of locations, and then drop-down boxes to pick times. If you are looking for a certain time, it may already be taken, so you will either have to go more into the future for that particular location, or choose another location that might have that time available, but that location may be farther from you. The more open you can be on the time of day, the more able you might be to get an appointment in the not-so-distant future!nightmare69 wrote:The_Busy_Mom wrote:Hmmm.nightmare69 wrote:Wodathunkit wrote:Don't wait! Go get printed now, no since adding extra wait time to your license.
When you fill out your application on line you are emailed a bar code message telling you what you need. Tis bar code number is your "ID" for your finger prints. Go online to L1, enter your bar code number, and set an appointment.
I did it snail mail, did I dun goofed?Since you did not do an online application, you do not have a checklist. So that means your application is not in the DPS system, so they do not have an access code for you to give to L1 for fingerprints. My immediate thought would be that you will have to wait for DPS to receive your application, get it in the system, and send you out a letter that has your code so that you can go to L1. However, you might give L1 a call and see what their procedures are. There might be another way, but I am not sure. Maybe someone else will chime in who mailed in their application and give some more insight.
If I am correct, and you have to wait, you might be looking at 3-4 weeks or so before you would even get a letter back from DPS.
TBM
I did not know I could do a online app. My CHL class gave us all the paperwork needed to send in at 1 time so I used the packet provided to me. He said it would be about 10 days before we received the letter from DPS to schedule out finger prints. So I guess I have to wait for the letter cause I can't get it done without it. For the people saying that L1 is 3 to 4 weeks behind on appointments? How long does it take to be finger printed?...5mins? I was hoping to schedule mine during my lunch break.

Texas CHL Instructor / NRA Certified Instructor
Final Shot Armory - Specializing in Firearms Sales & Transfers, NFA Sales
$20 Transfers for Current TX CHL Holders, Military, Teachers, LEO / $25 Everyone else
http://www.FinalShotUS.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Final Shot Armory - Specializing in Firearms Sales & Transfers, NFA Sales
$20 Transfers for Current TX CHL Holders, Military, Teachers, LEO / $25 Everyone else
http://www.FinalShotUS.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- nightmare69
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2052
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:03 pm
- Location: East Texas
Re: When to get finger printed?
We have a L1 Identity 10mins from my house. Still waiting on the letter from DPS, others have told me it took a month to get.Not real sure where you are located, but you could absolutely get your fingerprints done on your lunch break if you are close enough to a location. The thing is, when you get to L1 website to sign up for fingerprints, the website has a list of locations, and then drop-down boxes to pick times. If you are looking for a certain time, it may already be taken, so you will either have to go more into the future for that particular location, or choose another location that might have that time available, but that location may be farther from you. The more open you can be on the time of day, the more able you might be to get an appointment in the not-so-distant future!
TBM
2/26-Mailed paper app and packet.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
Re: When to get finger printed?
You could call L1 every couple days to see if they show you in the system yet.
Final Shot offers Firearms / FFL Transfers / CHL Instruction. Please like our Facebook Page.
If guns kill people, do pens misspell words?
I like options: Sig Sauer | DPMS | Springfield Armory | Glock | Beretta
If guns kill people, do pens misspell words?
I like options: Sig Sauer | DPMS | Springfield Armory | Glock | Beretta