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Writer's pictureWesley Nunley

How to Complete ATF Fingerprint Cards

Updated: Aug 22


ATF Fingerprinting

What is an ATF Fingerprint Card?

ATF fingerprint cards, also known as FD-258 fingerprint cards, capture your fingerprints as part of your NFA application. For purchasing or building NFA items such as suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), or other regulated items, fingerprints are required when submitting your ATF Form 4 application. You can order FD-258 fingerprint cards and ink here.


Black Creek Firearms' Digital Fingerprinting Service

Instead of handling traditional FD-258 fingerprint cards, Black Creek Firearms offers a more efficient solution with our digital fingerprinting service. This service allows you to convert your FD-258 fingerprints into a digital file from the comfort of your home. No need to drive to a kiosk or fingerprinting center. You can use these digital prints for a lifetime, streamlining the submission process for your ATF applications now and in the future.

By using Black Creek's digital fingerprinting service, you can bypass the traditional mailing process. The digital file is instantly created and securely stored, which means it can be used for future NFA applications without the need to redo the fingerprinting process. This approach saves time and reduces the risk of lost or damaged physical cards.


How to Fill Out FD-258 Fingerprint Cards

  1. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly.

  2. Use a proper fingerprinting ink pad.

  3. Practice on a blank sheet before using the actual FD-258 card.

  4. Follow the card's layout for individual finger placement.

  5. Roll each finger from nail to nail, ensuring even ink distribution -- ensure you're using the box designated for that finger.

  6. Capture slap prints for your thumbs.

  7. In black ink, fill out all required information using the correct codes (see our code tables below).

  8. Email a high res pictrure to erik@blackcreekfirearms.com or wes@blackcreekfirearms.com

 

FD-258 Fingerprint Card Codes

Hair Codes

Hair Color Code

Literal

BLD

Bald

BLK

Black

BLN

Blonde (or strawberry)

BLU

Blue

BRO

Brown

GRN

Green

GRY

Gray (or partially gray)

ONG

Orange

PLE

Purple

PNK

Pink

RED

Red (or auburn)

SDY

Sandy

WHI

White

XXX

Unknown

Race Codes

Race Code

Literal

Description

A

Asian or Pacific Islander

Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Polynesian, Indian, Indonesian, Asian Indian, Samoan, or other Pacific Islander

B

Black

A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa

I

American Indian or Alaskan Native

American Indian, Eskimo, or Alaskan Native, or a person having origins in any of the 48 contiguous states of the United States or Alaska who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition

U

Unknown

Of Indeterminable Race

W

White

Caucasian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

Eye Color Codes

Eye Color Code

Literal

BLK

Black

BLU

Blue

BRO

Brown

GRY

Gray

GRN

Green

HAZ

Hazel

MAR

Maroon


Benefits of Digital Fingerprinting with Black Creek Firearms

  • Accuracy: Our digital fingerprinting service ensures precise capture of your fingerprints.

  • Speed: Complete the fingerprinting process quickly, avoiding the delays and errors associated with mailing physical cards thus speeding up your Form 1 and Form 4 approval time.

  • Convenience: Your digital file is readily available for future NFA applications.

  • Reusability: Store your digital fingerprints for ongoing use, making future applications more efficient.


How to Use Black Creek’s Digital Fingerprinting Service

You can purchase our digital fingerprinting service as a standalone option here. If you buy a silencer from Black Creek Firearms, this service is included at no extra cost. After your purchase, we'll convert your FD-258 fingerprints into a secure digital format, sending copies to both you and your local FFL for filing. This digital file is securely stored and can be easily included in your ATF application, streamlining the process and speeding up approval times for your NFA items.


Conclusion

Submitting your fingerprints for your ATF application is easy with Black Creek.The benefits of digital fingerprinting are great:

  1. Accuracy: Our EFT files eilminate errors.

  2. Speed: You can complete the process in 5 minutes.

  3. Convenience: No need to mail physical cards, just e-mail us a good picture.

  4. Reusability: Your digital prints are stored on your profile for future NFA applications.


The quickest and most efficient way to submit your fingerprints to the ATF is through the electronic transfer process provided by Black Creek Firearms. As a leading NFA dealer based in Tennessee, Black Creek Firearms specializes in selling silencers across the United States, ensuring you receive your suppressor promptly and hassle-free.


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