How to Take Your Fingerprints for a Form 1 SBR Application

Need to file your Form 1 application? Click here for the how-to guide.

After successfully filing your Form 1 application, you need to record your fingerprints on two FD-258 Fingerprint Cards. If you filed as a Trust, you and each trustee must also submit two fingerprint cards each.

Fingerprint Card FAQs

Q: Where do I get these cards?

A: You can order them for free from the ATF. Use this online Distribution Center order form. Fill out your name, email, phone number, and mailing address. Select the checkbox next to "Fingerprint Cards." Below, select the appropriate quantity. Since they're free, we recommend getting a few extras. Under "Order Item", select the dropdown option that says "FBI FD-258LE - NFA, Imports ORI WVATF0800". Then click Preview, and submit your order. The ATF will mail them to you within a few business days.

Q: How long do I have to submit my fingerprints?

A: The ATF must receive your fingerprint cards with your Form 1 application's Cover Letter included (details on receiving that letter are provided at the bottom of the how-to guide) within 10 business days. 

Q: Where do I send my prints to?

A: Mail them to the address provided on the Cover Letter:

BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES

NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT DIVISION

244 NEEDY ROAD

MARTINSURG, WV 25405

Q: How should I mail my prints in?

A: We recommend using the U.S. Postal Service's Priority Mail Express. Use a mailing envelope. It's a good idea to include a small piece of cardboard, to prevent your fingerprint cards from getting creased or bent.

Q: What do I need to roll my prints?

A: You only need the FD-258 cards, and some fingerprinting ink. We use the Lee Inkless Fingerprint Pad in this guide.

Q: So, how do I roll my prints?

A: It's easy! We'll show you how to below. If you're still not confident, most police departments can provide this service. In that case, call your local department and ask to schedule an appointment.

Q: What do I do after I mail my prints?

A: You're all done. It's up to the ATF, now. Once they receive your prints, your application will get processed in approximately 60 days. Most applications get approved within 30 to 90 days. Once approved, the ATF will email you a copy of the Form 5320.1 with a tax stamp applied, and an "Approved" box with a signature from an ATF official.

How to Fill Out the Fingerprint Card

Before rolling your prints, fill out the required information at the top of the fingerprint card. This way, you won't accidentally smudge your prints with your hand while you're filling it out. This example card shows what fields to fill out, and which ones to leave blank:

For your NAME, enter the name you used on your Form 1 application.

For your SIGNATURE, write it exactly how your full legal name is entered.

If your signature doesn't match your legal name, write the signature name under ALIASES. 

For example, if your full legal name is John William Smith, but you sign as "John Smith", you must print the name "John Smith" in the ALIASES box.

For RESIDENCE, enter the address where you reside.

For DATE, enter the date you recorded your prints on the card.

Leave SIGNATURE OF OFFICIAL TAKING FINGERPRINTS blank, unless you have a law enforcement agency roll them for you. In that case, the officer should sign this box.

Leave EMPLOYER AND ADDRESS blank. It is not necessary.

Under REASON FINGERPRINTED, enter "NFA APPLICATION".

Under CITIZENSHIP CTZ, enter "U.S."

Leave YOUR NO. OCA, UNIVERSAL CONTROL NO. UCN, ARMED FORCES NO. MNU, and MISCELLANEOUS NO. MNU blank.

Under SOCIAL SECURITY NO. SOC, enter your social security number using a 000-00-0000 format.

In the ORI box, enter the following information if it is not pre-printed:

WVATF0800

ATF-NATL TRA CTR

MARTINSBURG, WV

For SEX, enter "M" for male, and "F" for female.

For RACE, use the following codes:

• A: Asian
• B: Black
• I: Native American or Alaskan Native
• U: Unknown
• W: White

Enter your HEIGHT (HGT) as a three-digit number. Don't use apostrophes to denote feet and inches. 6'1" would simply be 601. 5'10" would be 510. 

Enter your WEIGHT (WGT) as a three-digit number in pounds. Don't include "lbs" or other letters.

For EYES, use the following color codes:

• BLK: Black
• BLU: Blue
• BRO: Brown
• GRY: Gray
• GRN: Green
• HAZ: Hazel
• MAR: Maroon

For HAIR, use the following color codes:

• BLD: Bald
• BLK: Black
• BLN: Blonde
• BLU: Blue
• BRO: Brown
• GRN: Green
• GRY: Gray
• ONG: Orange
• PLE: Purple
• PNK: Pink
• RED: Red
• SDY: Sandy
• WHI: White
• XXX: Unknown

For PLACE OF BIRTH (POB), spell out your birth state's full name.

For DATE OF BIRTH (DOB), use a MM/DD/YYYY format.

How to Roll Your Fingerprints

Before getting started, it's best to place your fingerprint card near the edge of a table. This will give your hand and digits more leverage. The bottom half of the fingerprint card has a label indicating which finger must be printed in each box:

It's best to work from left to right, top to bottom, starting with the right thumb. First, roll the thumb on your fingerprinting ink pad, from one edge of the fingernail to the opposite side:

You only need to use light pressure. You should be able to clearly make out the individual ridges on your finger's pad after applying the ink:

To record the print, rest the side of the thumb or finger near the edge of the box, and roll from one side of the box to the other side:

IMPORTANT: Clean off each finger with isopropyl alcohol after rolling each print. 

Continue recording each fingerprint for each finger based on the box indicated. 

The top row records the right hand, the second row records the left hand, and the bottom row records simple indentation prints without rolling. At the bottom row, you must record all four digits of each hand simultaneously. 

Again, use light pressure to ensure each print's individual ridges and features are captured. Do the same for each thumb as indicated by the "L. THUMB" and "R. THUMB" boxes. Once all prints have been recorded, your card should appear similar to our example:

REMEMBER TO FILL OUT (2) FINGERPRINT CARDS! This applies for trustees on Form 1 trust applications.

Mailing Your Prints

With two completed fingerprint cards in hand (and two for each trustee, if applicable) you can print your Cover Letter and mail them in. We again recommend using Priority Mail with tracking and signature confirmation, and mailing your prints in a bend-resistant envelope or a mailer with a cardboard liner.

Just getting started? Read our guide: How to Legally Build an SBR.