FD-258 Fingerprint Card in France & Spain: How to Get FBI Fingerprints Abroad
Need an FBI background check while living in France or Spain? If you are submitting by mail, your prints have to go on the right fingerprint card. Here is what the FD-258 is, when you actually need it, and how to avoid the mistakes that get cards rejected.
If you need an FBI background check while living in France or Spain, sooner or later someone will mention the FD-258. It is the fingerprint card most people are told to use — but whether you actually need one depends entirely on how you are submitting your request.
What Is an FD-258 Fingerprint Card?
The FD-258 is the FBI's standard Applicant Fingerprint Card, used for civil (non-criminal) submissions such as employment, licensing, and general background checks. It is a physical card capturing all ten rolled fingerprints plus your basic identifying information.
It is worth separating two things people often mix up: fingerprint collection (physically getting your prints rolled or scanned) and the FBI background check itself (processing that submission into an Identity History Summary). The card is only the format — not the check.
Do You Need an FD-258 for an FBI Background Check?
Not necessarily. It depends on how you are submitting your request.
The FBI allows electronic requests for an Identity History Summary, and applicants submitting by mail can use a fingerprint card instead. Importantly, individuals cannot order fingerprint cards directly from the FBI — but they can print the FD-1164 civil fingerprint card themselves for exactly this purpose.
So rather than assuming you need an FD-258, confirm which submission method applies to your situation first. If you are submitting electronically, a physical card may not come into it at all.
FD-258 vs. FD-1164: What Is the Difference?
Both are legitimate FBI fingerprint cards, but they serve different purposes:
| Card | What it is for | How you get it |
|---|---|---|
| FD-258 | The general applicant card — employment, licensing, and standard background checks | Supplied through a provider; individuals cannot order it from the FBI |
| FD-1164 | Individuals requesting their own FBI Identity History Summary | You can print it yourself |
There is no single universally correct card. The right one depends on what your specific FBI submission requires, so confirm which format applies to you rather than defaulting to the FD-258 out of habit.
How to Get Fingerprinted in France and Spain
The process is the same in both countries:
- Find a technician — a small number of private providers in each country offer fingerprinting formatted correctly for FBI submission, and not every local provider knows the requirements
- Bring the right things — valid photo ID, plus the correct card or instructions for your submission method
- Complete the card properly — every required field (name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, reason fingerprinted) filled in legibly, impressions rolled nail to nail, no stray marks
- Submit it — the card is mailed to the FBI, or submitted electronically if you used a service set up for that
How Should Your Fingerprints Be Taken?
The FBI's guidance is that fingerprints can be recorded on standard cards like the FD-258, or captured electronically through Live Scan. Either way, the emphasis is on proper equipment and legible impressions. A poorly inked or incomplete set of prints is one of the most common reasons submissions get delayed.
Common FD-258 Mistakes
The FBI specifically warns that incomplete cards can be rejected, and publishes detailed requirements for how impressions need to look. A rejected card means starting the capture over from scratch, which is why the format is worth confirming before you sit down with a technician.
What Happens After You Get Fingerprinted?
Once your card (or electronic submission) is complete, it goes to the FBI for processing against its Identity History Summary system. From there, most people also need to think about:
- Apostille certification — both France and Spain are Hague Convention countries, so an apostille is what makes the report recognised by local authorities
- Certified translation — if the receiving institution requires the report in French or Spanish
Skipping these follow-up steps is what usually turns a straightforward fingerprinting appointment into a much longer process.
How Printwise Global Helps
Getting the right card, correctly completed, and submitted the right way is where most delays happen. Printwise Global supports U.S. and Canadian citizens across France and Spain with:
- Guidance on which fingerprint card or process applies to your submission
- Mobile fingerprinting coordination, done correctly the first time
- FBI background check submission and processing support
- Apostille certification for Hague jurisdictions like France and Spain
- Certified translation guidance where it is required
How It Works With Printwise Global
- Reach out — tell us what the report is for and your deadline
- We guide you — clear instructions on which card or process you need
- We handle processing — fingerprinting coordination, FBI submission, and apostille certification
- You receive your certified report — ready to use, without the guesswork
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need an FD-258 for an FBI background check?
No. It depends on your submission method. Electronic requests do not require a physical card, and some mail-in requests use the FD-1164 instead.
What is the difference between FD-258 and FD-1164?
FD-258 is the general applicant card used for employment and licensing checks. FD-1164 is specifically for individuals requesting their own FBI Identity History Summary, and the FBI allows you to print it yourself.
Can I get FD-258 fingerprinting in France or Spain?
Yes, through a private provider experienced with FBI-format submissions. Not every local fingerprinting service is familiar with the specific requirements.
Why do fingerprint cards get rejected?
Common reasons include missing required fields, poorly rolled impressions, stray marks in the impression blocks, and using an outdated card version.
Do I need an apostille after my FBI background check?
If the report is being used in France or Spain, most likely yes. Both are Hague Convention countries, so an apostille is typically required for the document to be recognised locally.
Does Printwise Global help with the whole process?
Yes. Printwise Global guides clients on the correct card or process, coordinates fingerprinting, and manages FBI submission, apostille certification, and translation support from start to finish.
The Printwise Team
Identity Verification Specialists
Printwise Global is an international identity-verification company providing certified fingerprinting, FBI and RCMP background checks, apostille, and certified translation. Our specialists manage cross-border document requirements end to end for clients across the USA, Canada, the UK, India, and beyond.
