How to Prepare for a USCIS Fingerprints Appointment

Photographs and Fingerprints


fingerprints

USCIS requires photographs and fingerprints for certain applications. The information below tells you which applications require photographs and fingerprints and how they are provided to USCIS.

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 a set fee 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.

The following three points apply for all immigration benefits applications (see exceptions below) requiring an FD-258 fingerprint check filed with USCIS after March 29, 1998:

  •     Do not submit a completed fingerprint card (FD-258) with your application. Your application will be accepted without the fingerprint card attached. If you submit a completed fingerprint card with your application on or after March 29, 1998, the card will be rejected and you will be scheduled to be fingerprinted by USCIS.
  •     Do submit fee, in addition to the application fee, payable to USCIS, with your application. The fee is noted at the top of our Forms and Fees page. This charge will cover the cost for you to be fingerprinted by USCIS.
  •     After USCIS receives your application, USCIS will provide you with an appointment letter with the location of the nearest USCIS authorized fingerprint site. Please read the instructions in the appointment letter, and take it to USCIS authorized fingerprint site when you go to your fingerprint appointment.


Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Residence Card

If you are e-Filing Form I-90, you do NOT need to submit paper photographs and you do NOT need to self-schedule an appointment at an Application Support Center for the electronic capture of your biometrics. You will receive a notice in the mail from the USCIS that will provide you with your USCIS-scheduled appointment for capturing biometrics and photographs at an Application Support Center.

You MUST bring the following materials to your biometrics appointment, or processing of your Form I-90 will NOT be completed at your scheduled time:

  • Biometrics appointment notice.
  • Photo Identification. Acceptable kinds of photo identification are:
  • Passport or national photo identification issued by your country, or
  • Driver’s license, or
  • Military photo identification, or
  • State-issued photo identification card.
  • All required initial evidence, including your prior card OR other evidence of permanent residence or commuter status.
  • Any supporting documentation, which may include but is not limited to Court ordered name change, Marriage certificate, Birth certificate, or  Police report for a stolen or lost card.


Form I-131, Application for a Travel Document

If you are e-Filing Form I-131, you will need to submit two identical color paper photographs with your Supporting Documents. See Paper Photograph Requirements for more information.

You do not need to submit fingerprints for this form.

Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

If you are e-Filing Form I-765, you do NOT need to submit paper photographs and you do NOT need to self-schedule an appointment at an Application Support Center for the electronic capture of your biometrics. You will receive a notice in the mail from the USCIS that will provide you with your USCIS-scheduled appointment for capturing biometrics and photographs at an Application Support Center.

You MUST bring the following materials to your biometrics appointment, or processing of your Form I-765 will NOT be completed at your scheduled time:

  •  Biometrics appointment notice.
  • Photo Identification. Acceptable kinds of photo identification are:
  • Passport or national photo identification issued by your country, or Driver’s license, or State-issued photo identification card.

Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

All conditionalpermanent residents to appear at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) after filing Form I-751 in order to have their biometrics electronically captured. AnASC appointment notice will automatically be sent by mail to the applicant with the specific date, time and location for biometric processing. Biometric processing includes the electronic capture of an applicant’s photograph, signature, index fingerprint and ten-print fingerprints. The photograph, signature and index fingerprint are used to generate the lawful permanent resident card, if the Form I-751 is approved.

The ten-print fingerprints are captured for the purpose of conducting a criminal background check and are processed for applicants between the ages of 14 and 79. Applicants (except for “overseas applicants” described below) will no longer be required to submit passport- style photographs, since photographs will be captured at an ASC. USCIS requires all conditional permanent residents, including those residing overseas pursuant to military or government orders, to submit the standard base petition fee of $205 and a biometric services fee of $70. Following the submission of all applicable fees, a scheduled appearance at an ASC and the approval of Form I-751, applicants will be issued a permanent resident card by mail. The process for “applicants overseas due to military or government orders” is different and is described below. It is important to note that each conditional resident dependent eligible to be included on the principal applicant’s Form I-751 and listed under Part 5 of Form I-751, must submit an additional biometric services fee of $70. This includes dependents residing overseas pursuant to military or government orders, regardless of age.