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Fingerprints

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 $80 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 see below:

  • Fingerprint Instructions for All Immigration Benefits Applicants
  • Special Instructions for Form I-600 "Immigrant Petition for Orphan (Adoption)" and Form I-600A "Advance Processing; Immigrant Petition for Orphan (Adoption)"
  • Special Instructions for Form I-817 "Application for Family Unity Benefits under the Family Unity Program" or Form I-821 "Application for Temporary Protected Status"
  • Special Instructions for Form I-589 "Application for Political Asylum"

To find the Application Support Centers (ASCs) closest to you, please go to the "Related Links" section in the upper right corner of this page. You can also call USCIS' toll free number at  1 (800) 375-5283.



Last updated: 08/08/2008

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