What is an FD-258 Fingerprinting Card Used For?

If you have ever applied for a job that needed a background check, or looked into a visa, license, or adoption process, you must've been asked for "fingerprints on an FD-258 card." And if you had no idea what that meant, you are not alone. The FD-258 is not some random form. It is the official fingerprint card used across the country, and in many cases, outside it too. Many employers, licensing boards, immigration offices, and even adoption agencies use it.

Keep reading this blog to understand what the FD-258 card is used for, what it looks like, where to get one, and where to actually get fingerprinted on it. So by the end, you will know exactly what to expect and what to do next.

The FD-258 is the official fingerprint card created by the FBI. It is used to collect a person's fingerprints along with some basic personal details, mainly for background checks that are not related to a criminal arrest. This is called an applicant or civil fingerprint card, because it is filled out by people applying for a job, a license, a visa, or some other type of approval, not by someone who has been arrested.

Over the years, this card has picked up a few common nicknames. People call it the blue card, the ink card, or just the FBI card. No matter what it is called, it is the same standard form used across the country by state agencies, federal agencies, and many private organizations.

The card was created by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services division, known as CJIS. This is the same division that manages the FBI's fingerprint and criminal history databases. Because the card follows a strict format set by CJIS, it can be read and processed the same way no matter which agency collects it or which agency receives it.

Features of the FD-258 Card

• It captures all ten fingerprints, including both the rolled impressions and the flat impressions.
• It has a dedicated space for personal details such as full name, any aliases, date of birth, sex, height, weight, and other physical descriptors.
• It works with both traditional methods, meaning fingers dipped in ink and rolled onto the card, and newer methods where a digital live-scan machine is used and the prints are printed onto the same card layout.
• It is printed on a specific size of card stock so that it fits the scanning and filing systems used by the FBI and other agencies.

Read FBI Background Check FAQ 2026: Everything You Need to Know for Visas, Immigration & Employment

These are the situations where you will most likely need an FD-258 card:

• Employment background checks
• Professional licensing
• Immigration and citizenship applications
• Firearms and ATF applications
• Adoption applications
• Out of state or federal job applications
• Volunteer work with vulnerable populations

Employment Background Checks

Many employers ask for fingerprints on an FD-258 card before they hire someone, especially in fields like healthcare, banking, and education. This helps the company check if the applicant has any criminal history that could be a problem for the job.

Professional Licensing

A lot of professions require a license before someone can legally work in that field. And getting that license often means passing a fingerprint based background check. This applies to nurses, teachers, real estate agents, contractors, and security guards, among others. The licensing board uses the FD-258 card to confirm the applicant has no record that would stop them from being licensed.

Immigration and Citizenship Applications

People applying for a visa, a green card, or US citizenship are often required to submit fingerprints as part of their application. Immigration authorities use the FD-258 card to run a background check and confirm the person's identity. It is a routine part of most immigration related applications, both inside and outside the country.

Firearms and ATF Applications

Anyone applying for certain firearm related items, such as suppressors or short barreled rifles, has to go through a background check handled by the ATF. The FD-258 card is used to collect fingerprints for this process.

Adoption Applications

Adoption agencies sometimes require fingerprint based background checks for anyone in the adoptive household. This is done to protect the safety of the child being adopted. The FD-258 card is used even in cases involving international adoption.

Out of State or Federal Job Applications

Some jobs and licenses require a background check that goes through the FBI directly. Especially when the applicant is applying from a different state or for a federal position. In these cases, digital fingerprinting systems are not always accepted, so the FD-258 card becomes the standard option instead. 

Volunteer Work with Vulnerable Populations

Many nonprofits and volunteer programs ask for a background check before letting someone join, mostly if the role involves children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. This step helps organizations feel confident that the people working with these groups do not have a history that would put anyone at risk.

Since the FBI is a US agency, a lot of people assume the FD-258 card is only useful within the United States. That is not fully true. While the card is built and controlled by the FBI, it is also used in many situations outside the country.

• Applications Submitted Inside the United States - Federal agencies, state authorities, local police departments, and private employers across the country use this card. It is the standard form for state licenses, job background checks, weapons permits, and US immigration.
• Foreign Governments Requesting US Background Checks - If you apply for a visa, work permit, permanent residency, or dual citizenship in another country like Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, or a country in Europe, those foreign authorities will ask for an FBI background check. To get that FBI police clearance, you must submit your prints on an FD-258 card, even if you are living outside the USA at the time.
• International Adoptions and Professional Licensing - Foreign adoption agencies and international professional boards require applicants who lived or worked in the USA to clear an FBI background check using this specific card.
• Direct Acceptance By Foreign Agencies - Some private companies, security firms, and local law enforcement overseas accept the FD-258 card directly as their preferred physical format for capturing ink fingerprints.

So while the card is created and managed by a US agency, its use is not limited to people living inside the United States. Anyone in the world can use it whenever a global process demands a verified US criminal history report or a standardized paper fingerprint record.

The FD-258 card is a single page, usually printed on white or light colored card stock, close to the size of a standard letter sheet. It has a blue tint or blue ink in parts of the layout. The card is split into two clear sections, one on top for personal details and one below for the actual fingerprints.

Top Section

The top part of the card includes the personal and identifying information of the person being fingerprinted. This usually includes:

• Full legal name and any aliases
• Date of birth, sex, race, height, and weight
• Eye color and hair color
• Place of birth and citizenship
• Social security number, if required
• Signature of the applicant and the official who took the prints
• Date the fingerprints were taken

ORI, which is the code showing which agency asked for the fingerprinting

Bottom Section

The bottom part of the card is where the actual fingerprints go. It has ten boxes for rolled impressions, one for each finger, taken from the tip to the side of the nail to capture the full print. Below that, there are a few more boxes for flat impressions, where all four fingers of each hand are pressed down at once, along with both thumbs. These flat prints are used to double check that the rolled prints above are in the correct order and belong to the right fingers.

• Official source: The FBI's own website offers a downloadable and fillable version of the FD-258 card that you can access for free. Download FD-258 fingerprint card PDF.
• Bulk ordering: Agencies, employers, and businesses that need a large number of cards can order them in bulk through the FBI's CJIS fingerprinting supply requisition process.
• Retail and print options: Many licensed fingerprinting vendors and print shops sell physical FD-258 cards in packs of 5, 25, 50, 250, or even 1000, depending on how many you need.
• E-commerce websites: Cards are also sold on sites like Amazon, usually in small packs, which is a quick option if you just need one or two cards.

Can You Print Your Own FD-258?

• Yes, you can print your own FD-258 card, but it needs to be done correctly for it to be accepted. A few things to keep in mind while printing it yourself:
• Use heavy card stock, not regular printer paper. Because the card needs to hold up during mailing or scanning.
• Print using a laser printer, since it gives sharper and clearer lines. Do not use an inkjet printer.
• Set your printer to actual size or 100 percent, and avoid any option like fit to page.
• Make sure the printout is clean, dark, and fully readable, with no blurry text or faded lines.

Even with all this done right, there is still a risk of rejection if the print quality or formatting is even slightly different. If you are not fully confident about this, it is better to get your card from an official source or a licensed vendor instead of printing it at home.

If you need to find a place that offers this service, the easiest way is to search online for something like "FD-258 fingerprinting near me." This usually brings up a list of local options you can choose from, based on what is closest and most convenient for you. No matter where you are located, there are generally a few common types of places that offer this service.

Option A: Local Police Departments and Sheriff's Offices

Many local police stations and sheriff's offices offer fingerprinting services for a small fee. This is often one of the first places people check, since it feels like a natural fit for something official like this. It is a good idea to call ahead and confirm they offer this service before showing up, since not every department does.

Option B: Fingerprinting Service Providers

There are private companies that specialize in fingerprinting and background check services. These providers are trained specifically for this kind of work and usually offer both ink based and digital fingerprinting, so they can print your results directly onto an FD-258 fingerprint card if that is what you need.

Option C: UPS Stores and Other Retail Locations

Some UPS Store locations partner with fingerprinting service providers and offer this as an in-store service. This is a convenient option if you already have a UPS Store nearby, since you can often book an appointment online and get it done fairly quickly.

Option D: Mobile Fingerprinting Providers

If getting to a location is difficult, some companies offer mobile fingerprinting, where a technician comes to your home, office, or another agreed location to take your prints. This is very helpful for people with limited mobility, tight schedules, or groups that need to be fingerprinted together at once.

Globeia offers professional mobile fingerprinting services across the globe, where trained associates visit your preferred location to collect clear prints on official FD-258 cards. Our associates perform on-the-spot quality checks to help prevent rejections and delays. To check if our services are available in your area and book an appointment, click here.

It is strange to think that one small card can open the door to a job, a license, a visa, or even a new family through adoption. But that is exactly what the FD-258 does. It is the same piece of paper no matter what you are applying for, which is honestly what makes it so useful. Once you have gone through the process one time, you pretty much know how it works for good. So the next time someone asks you for fingerprints on an FD-258, you will already know exactly what is coming.