Applicant Background Check Payment Instructions.
Term	Definition
Applicant	The individual who is required to submit to a fingerprint based background check.
Agency	The entity that is responsible for licensing Applicants. Agencies must be registered with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and have a valid ORI number.
Registration	Applicants or Agencies may register for fingerprinting at www.tennessee.cogentid.com. Registration may also be completed by phoning 1-877-862-2425. Make sure that your Social Security number is collected correctly. Prior to registration you must have a valid ORI Number.
Payment	If the Agency allows, your fingerprinting may be paid for already. In this case, no payment is necessary. Otherwise, Applicants must pre-pay their fingerprint services at www.tnprints.com or by calling 1-800-964-7690. Money orders made out to Cogent Systems are also accepted at the fingerprint service sites. Cash is NOT accepted.
ORI Number	The Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) is a nine-character identifier assigned by the State and designates each Agency that is allowed to submit data to TBI. You must know your ORI Number before attempting to register online or by phone. Contact your originating Agency, NOT TBI or COGENT, for your ORI Number.
Web Sites	www.tnprints.com (Applicant Payment using Credit and Debit Cards) www.tennessee.cogentid.com (Information, Locations, Registration, Receipts, Reports)
Email	TNPrintsInfo@cogentsystems.com
Applicants are required to make payment arrangements prior to be fingerprinted.
1. In some cases, State Agencies or business pay for the applicant’s background check. These applicants are designated AGENCY PAY. If you are required to pay for yourself, you are designated APPLICANT PAY. 2. Handgun carry permits pay their fingerprinting fee in advance to the Tennessee Department of Safety at the time of application. When registering for fingerprinting you are designated AGENCY PAY. 3. Applicants required to pay for themselves (APPLICANT PAY) must make payment arrangements prior to fingerprinting. 4. Pre-payment can be completed at www.tnprints.com or by calling 1-800-964-7690. You may also pay with a Money Order, made payable to Cogent Systems, on-site the day of your fingerprinting. No cash is accepted at any fingerprint location. 5. Proceed to the fingerprint location of your choice. No appointment is necessary. You must be registered and have made arrangements for payment.
Background checks take time.  Cogent Systems does not have access, nor does it involve itself with the summary execution of an applicant background check.  To this extent Cogent cannot provide you information regarding the background check process, or when it will be completed.