Your fingerprinting business has room to grow beyond basic background checks—bundling notary, document authentication, and related services creates higher transaction values and stickier customer relationships. When clients can get notarized fingerprint cards, authenticated FBI Form FD-1164s, and expedited live scan in one place, you're not just a service provider—you're solving an entire compliance problem. Let's break down how to package these add-ons strategically.
Why Bundle Services in the First Place
Customers don't want to visit three vendors for one job. Someone applying for professional licensing, immigration benefits, or a government position needs fingerprinting, notarization, and often document authentication all at once. By combining these, you increase average transaction value from $20–$40 per fingerprint to $60–$120+ per customer visit.
Bundling also differentiates you from competitors who offer only live scan. It creates defensible pricing power and gives you legitimate reasons to rank higher in local searches when customers hunt for "notary near me" or "authenticated fingerprints."
Understanding the Service Stack
Live scan fingerprinting captures digital fingerprints using an electronic scanner, compliant with FBI and DOJ standards. Typical cost: $25–$50 per person, depending on your location and vendor relationships.
Notary services authenticate a customer's identity and witness document signatures. States regulate notary commissions, but most require simple ID verification. Cost: $5–$25 per document notarized.
Document authentication takes notarization further—you're verifying that fingerprint cards, government forms, or affidavits are legitimate copies. This appeals to clients seeking international recognition (Apostilles) or official government submissions. Cost: $15–$40 per document.
Fingerprinting card printing and mailing can be offered as a premium add-on ($8–$15), especially for customers who need physical cards sent to agencies or employers.
Bundling Strategy: Three Real-World Packages
Consider offering tiered packages rather than à la carte pricing:
- Standard Package ($65–$85): Live scan fingerprinting + simple notarization of the fingerprint card. Target: job applicants, volunteers.
- Professional Package ($110–$150): Live scan + notarized fingerprint card + document authentication (FBI form or background check authorization). Target: licensing boards, immigration cases.
- Expedited Package ($200–$280): Everything above + rush processing (24–48 hour turnaround) + priority mailing. Target: time-sensitive government submissions, international applications.
These packages simplify customer decision-making and signal that you understand their actual needs.
Marketing and Positioning Your Add-Ons
When prospective customers search online, they often don't know exactly what they need. A contractor might look for "fingerprinting" but actually requires notarization too. You can:
- Create landing pages for specific use cases: "Immigration Fingerprinting," "Professional Licensing Support," "International Character Certification."
- Partner with employment agencies, immigration attorneys, and HR consultants who can refer clients needing the full bundle.
- List your services on platforms like Mercoly, where business owners and professionals actively search for legal support services—making it easier to win leads and sell your complete service offerings.
- Include package pricing and turnaround times prominently on your website and local business profiles.
Operational Considerations
Before launching add-on services, ensure compliance:
- Notary licensing: Every state has different requirements. Verify you (or a team member) are commissioned and carry E&O insurance ($300–$800/year).
- Document authentication authority: Not all documents can be authenticated by a notary. Confirm which forms your target industries actually accept.
- Live scan integration: Your live scan system should seamlessly connect to state and FBI databases. Expect $3,000–$8,000 in equipment and setup.
- Turnaround times: Clearly define processing windows (24 hours local, 5–7 days mailed). Build in buffer for weekend submissions.
Pricing Psychology
Bundle discounts don't need to be steep. A 10–15% discount on package deals creates perceived value without eroding margins. For example, if à la carte costs total $100, price the package at $85–$90. This encourages upselling while maintaining healthy profit on each transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a separate notary license to offer fingerprint notarization? Yes—you must be a commissioned notary in your state. The process typically takes 2–4 weeks and costs $50–$200. Most states renew every 4–5 years.
Q: Can I authenticate fingerprint cards for international use? Fingerprint cards can be notarized, but many countries require an Apostille (a certificate authenticating the notary's signature). You'll need to submit to your state Secretary of State for Apostille, which costs $10–$30 and takes 1–3 weeks.
Q: What's a realistic markup on notary services? Notary services are typically low-margin ($5–$10 per transaction), so they work best as add-ons to higher-margin fingerprinting, not standalone revenue.
Start with your highest-demand use case, validate demand, then expand your bundle.