I often get requests for what I call the old school ink card. Recently there’s been an increase in those requests. The FD-258 Ink Card is an ink card that is often used for background checks. The fingerprint applicant places their hand in ink and the fingerprint technician rolls their prints on the paper ink card.
This type of fingerprinting is different from Live Scan fingerprinting which is done electronically. In California, fingerprint applicants generally submit their fingerprints electronically for employment, licensing, professional credentials, and other background checks.
But there are situations where electronic fingerprinting is not what is required, and the FD-258 ink card is the only acceptable method.
Form FD-258 Fingerprint Card Uses – When Is It Needed?
The FD-258 card is often used by law enforcement agencies in fingerprinting applicants for law enforcement positions. It is also used for background checks in which the requesting agency is in another state such as Arizona, Illinois, and Nevada, for example.
Other reasons for the FD-258 ink card include immigration processes, personal reasons, and nursing license applications.
How to Fill Out an FD-258 Ink Card
The FD-258 ink card must be filled out in black ink. There are certain criteria that has to be filled out on the card such as your name, any AKAs, date of birth, place of birth, height, weight, place of birth, eye color, hair color, sex, race, your address, citizenship and social security number. The applicant must sign the ink card as well and fill out the reason for being fingerprinted.
The fingerprint technician must also sign the ink card. Sometimes there will be an ORI number on the ink card. ORI stands for Originating Agency Identifier. This will be put on the ink card by the requesting agency.
Example of an FD-258 Ink Card
Where to Get FD 258 Fingerprint Cards | Ventura Co. and Los Angeles Co. California
I carry the FD-258 ink cards on my person in case the client’s requesting agency does not provide one. I also offer Live Scan fingerprinting as well.
To schedule a fingerprinting session and get an estimate, call me at 818-357-0208 or use the Contact Us form to send me a message. We have flexible scheduling and service individuals or groups.
