By Lequita Eason, Georgia Notary Public · NNA & LSS CertifiedIf your employer, licensing board or a federal agency asked for ink fingerprints on an FD-258 card, the quality of those prints matters. A rejected card can add weeks to your background check. Here is what to bring, and what you can do to help your cards get accepted the first time.
What is an FD-258 card?
The FD-258 is the FBI’s standard fingerprint card. Each finger is rolled in ink from nail edge to nail edge, and the four fingers and thumbs are also pressed flat at the bottom. Many organizations still require ink cards because they can be mailed directly for processing. Common reasons include:
- Nursing, medical, pharmacy, teaching and security licenses
- Employment and volunteer background checks
- FBI Identity History Summary (personal record) requests
- Immigration, visa and overseas employment applications
- Adoption and foster care
What to bring to your appointment
- A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport or military ID
- Any instructions from the requesting agency, including whether they supply their own cards
- The ORI number and “reason fingerprinted”, if the agency gave them to you
- Your employer or licensing details, if they need to appear on the card
Every appointment with me includes two FD-258 cards, so you don’t need to bring your own unless your agency requires a specific card.
Common reasons cards get rejected
- Smudged or partial prints, or prints that weren’t rolled fully from side to side
- Prints that are too light or too dark to read
- Missing information in the required fields at the top of the card
- No signature on the card
- Corrections or changes on the card instead of starting over with a new one
How you can help your prints come out clearly
- Skip lotion the day of your appointment. Oily skin smudges, and dry, cracked skin prints poorly too, so moisturize the night before instead.
- Wash and dry your hands before we start.
- Relax your hand and let me roll each finger. Pressing down or helping usually causes smudges.
- Tell me about cuts, bandages or recent injuries so we can plan around them.
- Don’t fold or bend the cards, and mail them in a stiff envelope if you’re sending them yourself.
I review every card before you leave
I check each card for clear ridge detail and completed fields before your appointment ends. The receiving agency makes the final decision on acceptance, but careful rolling and a second look go a long way toward avoiding a rejection.
Pricing and scheduling
Traditional ink fingerprinting starts at $60 and includes two FD-258 cards. In-office, mobile and same-day appointments are available when the schedule allows. Always confirm your agency’s fingerprint requirements before your appointment.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Requirements can vary by document and agency, so confirm details with the organization that requested your document.