FBI Fingerprint Card FD-258 Instructions: How to Get Fingerprinted Without Rejection

The FD-258 Is the Gateway to Your FBI Record — and Rejections Are Common

Every FBI Identity History Summary request requires fingerprints captured on the standard FD-258 fingerprint card or through an electronic live-scan system. The fingerprints are how the FBI verifies your identity biometrically, matching against its national database to return only records that are confirmed as yours.

The problem: fingerprint rejections are one of the most common delays in the FBI background check process. A smudged impression, a card printed on the wrong paper stock, or an improperly filled-out form can cause the FBI to reject your submission and require you to follow its resubmission instructions, adding time to your timeline.

Two Paths: Ink Cards vs Electronic Live Scan

Electronic Live Scan (Faster, Lower Rejection Rate)

Live-scan fingerprinting captures your prints digitally using a glass scanner. The technician places each finger on the scanner surface, and the system captures a high-resolution image that's transmitted electronically to the processing agency.

Where to get live-scan prints captured:

• USPS Post Offices: The Postal Service operates a fingerprinting service at participating locations. Register at ips.usps.com, pay the $50 service fee, and visit your scheduled post office. The technician captures your prints digitally and transmits them directly to the FBI.
• FBI-Approved Channelers: Private companies like Accurate Biometrics, Telos ID, and IdentoGO are certified by the FBI to capture and transmit fingerprints. Channeler fees typically run $30–$75, and results come back within 24–48 hours because the prints are transmitted electronically.
• State Repository Vendors: If you're also requesting your state rap sheet, many states use the same live-scan capture for both requests.

Live scan has a significantly lower rejection rate than ink cards because the technician can immediately see the quality of each captured impression and re-scan any finger that didn't read cleanly.

Ink Rolling on Physical FD-258 Cards (Required for Mail-In)

The traditional method uses FBI Form FD-258, a heavy cardstock fingerprint card with pre-printed boxes for each finger. A trained technician rolls each fingertip in ink and then onto the card in a specific pattern.

Card requirements:

• The card must be printed on heavy white cardstock — 90 lb (200 gsm) minimum. Standard printer paper will not be accepted.
• Use black ink only for both the fingerprint impressions and the biographical information.
• Both the applicant and the technician must sign the card in black ink.
• Do not fold the card. Folding creases the cardstock and makes the impressions unreadable by the FBI's automated scanning equipment. Mail the card flat in a rigid envelope.

Where to get ink prints rolled:

• Local police departments (many offer this service to the public for $5–$25)
• Sheriff's offices
• Private fingerprinting services
• Some UPS Store locations

How to Avoid Rejection

The FBI's automated fingerprint scanners are surprisingly finicky. Here's how to minimize your chances of rejection:

Before your appointment:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry completely. Residual moisture or oils degrade print quality.
• Avoid lotion, sanitizer, or any hand products on the day of your appointment.
• If your fingertips are worn smooth (common for people who work with their hands, chemicals, or paper), moisturize your hands heavily the night before and wear cotton gloves to bed.

During the appointment:

• Let the technician control the pressure and rolling motion. Resist the urge to "help" by pressing harder or guiding your own hand.
• Keep your hand relaxed. Tension causes your fingers to resist the rolling motion, which creates smudging and incomplete impressions.
• If you have dry, cracked, or peeling skin on your fingertips, tell the technician before they start. An experienced technician can apply a thin layer of hand lotion and wait for it to absorb, which dramatically improves print quality.

For live scan specifically:

• Clean the glass scanner surface between each finger if the technician doesn't do it automatically. Residual ink or oil from the previous impression transfers to the next one.
• Review the captured images on screen before the technician finalizes the submission. Any finger that looks light, smudged, or incomplete should be re-scanned immediately.

What to Do If Your Prints Are Rejected

If the FBI rejects your fingerprint submission, you'll receive a notice explaining the reason. The most common reasons are:

• Insufficient quality — impressions too light, smudged, or incomplete
• Wrong card stock — card printed on paper that's too thin for automated scanning
• Missing information — biographical fields on the card left blank or illegible

For electronic submissions: follow the FBI's resubmission instructions. If you used USPS or a channeler, confirm whether a new appointment fee applies under that provider's policy.

For mail-in cards: the FBI returns the rejected card with instructions. Follow those instructions before preparing a new submission; confirm the current card, fingerprinting, and payment requirements.

If your prints are repeatedly rejected because of skin-quality issues, follow the FBI's rejection instructions or contact the CJIS Division using the information in the notice to ask what alternatives are available.

The Record Self-Audit Toolkit includes the complete FBI submission checklist — from filling out Form 1-783 to selecting the right fingerprint capture method for your situation — so you submit correctly the first time.