If you are filing an ATF Form 1, 4 or 5 for an NFA item (suppressor, short-barreled rifle and so on), you need fingerprints for each applicant or responsible person. You can submit paper FD-258 cards or an electronic EFT file through ATF eForms. Here is how to get it right the first time.
Need this done in the Portland area? PDX Fingerprinting offers ATF and NFA fingerprinting at our Beaverton, Hillsboro and Lake Oswego offices, plus mobile service across the Portland metro. Book an appointment online.
Paper cards or EFT file?
| FD-258 paper cards | EFT file (electronic) | |
|---|---|---|
| How submitted | Mailed with the eForms cover sheet | Uploaded in eForms before you submit |
| Deadline | ATF says to mail cards within 10 business days of filing | Must be attached before the form is submitted |
| Technical rules | Card must be complete and legible | FBI spec 8.1.0, TOT “FAUF”, .EFT extension, under 12MB |
| Our price | ATF card $35 | EFT file creation $110 |
Requirements from ATF’s eForms guidance. Prices from our pricing page.
Who needs to be fingerprinted?
- Individual applicant: the applicant.
- Trust or legal entity: the person submitting the application and every responsible person. Mail all paper cards together in one envelope with the cover sheet.
Filling out the FD-258 for ATF
- Type or print in black ink; no white-out.
- Complete name, date and place of birth, physical description and address exactly as on your application.
- Use the employer/address and “reason fingerprinted” fields as ATF instructs (for example, the NFA application type).
- Sign the card in front of the technician; the technician signs too.
- Don’t fold the card. Keep both cards clean.
Common mistakes
- Missing a responsible person’s cards on a trust application
- Mailing cards late or separately from the cover sheet
- EFT file built to the wrong spec or uploaded after submission
- Smudged or rolled-off-the-box prints
How many cards you need
For most NFA applications, each individual applicant or responsible person submits two completed FD-258 fingerprint cards with the form. If you file electronically through ATF eForms, you may be able to upload an electronic fingerprint (EFT) file instead of mailing cards. Always follow the current ATF instructions for your form.
Ink cards vs. an EFT file
- Ink FD-258 cards are mailed to ATF with your paper or eForms submission.
- An EFT file is a digital fingerprint file you upload with an eForms application, so there are no cards to mail.
We offer both: ATF fingerprint cards are $35, and an ATF EFT file is $110. See ATF fingerprinting and how to upload EFT files.
Before your appointment
- Have your form type and responsible-person details ready.
- Bring a government photo ID.
- Fill in the personal details on the cards in black ink, or let us help you at the appointment.
- Leave the fingerprint boxes and the official’s signature blank.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can you make my EFT file today?
Yes, we capture prints and create the EFT file at our Beaverton, Hillsboro and Lake Oswego offices. Book here.
How many FD-258 cards do I need?
Follow the current ATF instructions for your form; many applicants send two per person.
