Federal document
FD-258 Fingerprint Card Submission
How the FD-258 fingerprint card fits into obtaining and apostilling an FBI background check.
- Issuing agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- We can obtain it?
- Yes, we retrieve this for you
- Certification first?
- No prior certification needed
- Also known as
- FD-258, fingerprint card, ink fingerprinting
The FD-258 is the standard fingerprint card used to request an FBI background check. It is not usually apostilled on its own — it is the input to obtaining the FBI Identity History Summary, which is the document that gets authenticated.
Why it needs an apostille abroad
The document foreign authorities want is the completed FBI Identity History Summary, not the fingerprint card. The apostille certifies that report for use abroad.
How to get FD-258 Fingerprint Card for use overseas
How fingerprinting works
Fingerprints are submitted either electronically through an approved channeler or on a physical FD-258 card. Errors here are the most common cause of delays. If we obtain your FBI check, we guide the fingerprinting so it is accepted the first time. See the FBI background check page for the full apostille process.
Related
- FBI Background Check apostille — the report the FD-258 produces.
- Fingerprinting guidance as part of obtaining your check.
FD-258 Fingerprint Card apostille by country
Where the document is going decides the process. Hague Convention members accept an apostille; non-Hague countries need embassy legalization on top. Pick your destination:
Ready to start?
Tell us what you have and where it is going. We reply with the correct route, a flat quote and shipping instructions.