If you have tried to get fingerprinted at your local police station recently, you may have been turned away. Several police departments around Portland have quietly stopped offering public fingerprinting, and the sheriff’s offices that still do it now limit hours or require appointments. Here is a 2026 list of what changed and where you can get fingerprinted instead.
Short answer: West Linn and Newberg-Dundee police no longer fingerprint the public, Portland State University’s campus safety office does not offer it, and Washington County Sheriff now requires appointments. Your best options are a sheriff’s office with an appointment, Oregon State Police in Salem, or a private provider like PDX Fingerprinting with offices in Beaverton, Hillsboro and Lake Oswego. Book an appointment if you need prints this week.
Police departments that stopped public fingerprinting
| Agency | Status (as published by the agency) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Linn Police Department | “No longer offers fingerprinting services.” Refers residents to other agencies. | City of West Linn |
| Newberg-Dundee Police Department | Does not offer fingerprinting to the general public. | City of Newberg |
| Portland State University Campus Public Safety | Does not provide fingerprinting services; refers people to outside agencies. | Portland State University |
| Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office | Listed as “not currently offering services” on Newberg’s referral page. | City of Newberg |
West Linn’s own page warns that its referral list “is not updated regularly” and that quite a few locations have suspended fingerprinting. Always call before you drive anywhere.
Government agencies that still fingerprint the public
| Agency | Fee | Hours / booking | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County Sheriff (East Precinct, Beaverton; Bethany Precinct, NW Portland) | $33 | Mon–Fri, 9 am–12 pm and 1–4 pm. Appointment required. Hillsboro HQ: Wednesdays only, by appointment | Printed cards you mail or submit yourself |
| Clackamas County Sheriff (Public Safety Training Center, Clackamas) | $15 per card | Mon–Thu, 8 am–3 pm. Appointment required: 503-794-8072 | Fingerprint cards |
| Oregon State Police Identification Services (Salem) | $30 per card (per PSU’s referral list) | Mon–Fri, 8 am–4:30 pm, no appointment listed | Fingerprint cards |
Sources: Washington County Sheriff, Clackamas County, Portland State University. Fees and hours were checked in October 2026 and can change.
What sheriff’s offices usually won’t do
A sheriff’s office will roll your prints onto a card. That is usually where the help ends. You still have to:
- Fill out the card correctly (wrong reason codes and missing ORI numbers are a top cause of rejections)
- Mail it to the FBI or your licensing agency, or submit it online through the FBI’s eDO system
- Pay the FBI or agency fee separately (the FBI charges $18 for an Identity History Summary)
- Start over if the prints come back unreadable
That is fine for a simple one-card job. For licensing, immigration, apostilles or out-of-state cards, the paperwork is where most delays happen.
Where to get fingerprinted instead
1. PDX Fingerprinting (Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, or mobile)
We do Live Scan and ink fingerprinting on FD-258 and agency-specific cards, FBI background checks submitted electronically, Florida Live Scan (FDLE), FINRA and ATF/NFA prints. We check your card for errors before you leave. FD-258 cards start at $35, and full pricing is on our pricing page.
- 9620 NE Tanasbourne Dr, Suite 300, Hillsboro, OR 97124
- 5 Centerpointe Dr, Suite 400, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
- 1500 NW Bethany Blvd, Suite 200, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Or we come to you: mobile fingerprinting for individuals, offices and groups
2. A sheriff’s office, if you can make their hours
Washington County and Clackamas County both still fingerprint the public, but both require appointments now. Bring a valid government photo ID. Washington County also asks for a passport if your ID is from a foreign government.
3. USPS, only for your own FBI record
Some post offices take digital fingerprints, but only for your personal FBI Identity History Summary. USPS charges $50, and you must register with the FBI first. Read our guide to USPS fingerprinting cost and appointments before you go.
Before you go: a 60-second checklist
- Find out whether your agency wants Live Scan (electronic) or ink cards. Out-of-state agencies almost always want cards.
- Bring any card or form your agency sent you, plus its ORI number or reason code.
- Bring an unexpired government photo ID.
- Ask how many cards you need. Most licensing boards want two.
- Don’t moisturize your hands right before the appointment; dry, clean fingers print best.
Frequently asked questions
Do Portland police fingerprint the public?
Public fingerprinting in the Portland area is now mostly handled by county sheriff’s offices and private providers. Several city departments, including West Linn and Newberg-Dundee, have stopped. Call your local department before going.
Can I walk in for fingerprints near Portland?
Washington County and Clackamas County sheriff’s offices both list appointments as required. Private providers often have same-week or same-day slots. Check our booking page for openings.
How much does fingerprinting cost in Oregon?
Government agencies charge about $15–$30 per card, plus any FBI or agency fee you pay separately. Private providers charge more but usually include card review, electronic submission or mobile service. See our breakdown of fingerprinting costs.
Agency details were verified from the official pages linked above in October 2026. If you work at one of these agencies and something has changed, email in**@***************ng.com and we’ll update this list.
