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A Bureau of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security


Fingerprints

Welcome to the Fingerprint Home Page. This Home Page provides information on the fingerprinting services provided by USCIS to applicants.

USCIS requires applicants and petitioners for certain immigration benefits to be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting FBI criminal background checks. To better ensure both the quality and integrity of the process, USCIS processes fingerprint cards for immigration benefits only if an authorized fingerprint site prepares them. Authorized fingerprint sites include USCIS offices, Application Support Centers (ASCs), and U.S. consular offices and military installations abroad. In general, USCIS schedules people to be fingerprinted at an authorized fingerprint site after an application or petition is filed. USCIS charges $70 per person (for most applicants) at the time of filing for this fingerprinting service. Please check the instructions on your Immigration application or petition form to find out if you must be fingerprinted.

To make fingerprinting more convenient for our customers, USCIS has opened 84 freestanding fingerprint sites (ASCs) and 46 sites located in existing USCIS offices. USCIS now employs a system where fingerprints are taken and submitted electronically to the FBI. By using electronic fingerprint technology, USCIS has significantly reduced processing times for criminal background checks.

For more information about those immigration benefits that require fingerprinting and fingerprint procedures, please click on the appropriate topic below. Thank you for visiting the Fingerprint Home Page.

Application Support Centers (ASCs) (Here you can find information on the ASC nearest to you, its hours, and directions on how to get there):

    For further information, call toll free 1(800) 375-5283.
Last Modified 10/05/2004