Printing the FBI fingerprint card

[FHRocker]

If I print out the card for fingerprinting from the FBI: form FD-258

Can I print it out on normal paper? It doesn't have to be a card stock or anything does it? And does it have to be in color or is black and white fine?

Every place I call about fingerprints says I need to bring a card myself.

 

[plumosa]

you can print it out at home, just make sure that when you fold the paper to fit it into the envelope that you DO NOT fold across you fingerprints...fold across the lines already on the paper.

 

[AllisonVSC]

I was advised by the police officer doing my prints to use the official cards because the fingerprint quality is low on regular paper. I did read in another post that someone used card stock to print the form, but I don't know if the result was readable. If you can find the official card, I suggest using them since wait times are running long now, and you will want to avoid having to re-do them.

Search for threads on the forum with advice on where to get the cards. This is a popular topic, you should be able to find helpful information.

 

[FHRocker]

Yeah seems Virginia is a hard place to get them done. Four places I called including two police stations said I need to bring my own card. A bunch of others including UPS said they don't do them.

 

[rjessome]

I used card stock bought at Staples. Prints are clear and everything worked out fine.

 

[Love_Young]

I too purchased card stock from Staples and used it for the fingerprints.
I am not sure as to what my results are yet as I haven't received any correspondence back.

 

[nyssa]

Interesting question and many people will tell you many different things. Here's what I know. The FBI claims you can print it out on whatever paper and it won't matter. I've had my prints rejected twice, whether or not this was a factor, I have no idea. They were rejected for the quality of the characteristics being too low. I think our gut instincts will tell us that it's better to have them on card stock than normal paper, but people have been accepted and rejected despite printing it out on the computer. So I would suggest if you can get your hands on some fingerprint cards, take that route, if not, it might not matter.

You can purchase the smaller cards online, the FBI ones with the blue lines. Sometimes police stations have it, I think. I ended up going to a crime lab for my 3rd attempt, they had their own which resembles the WV one but with their address on it instead. Good luck!

 

[aby08]

Hello! May I know how many copies of the fingerprint cards did you submit to fbi?

Thank you in advance!