Required Fields & Demographic Data

When and if you should complete the information at the top of the card will depend on where you have your fingerprints taken. Many locations will enter the information into a computer that will then print the information on the card. Others will ask you to complete the information by hand. Check with the fingerprinting location to determine whether you should fill out the information before your appointment.

CBC TIP: When you contact the fingerprinting location to schedule an appointment, be sure to ask both of these questions:

Do you have an official FD-258 card or its equivalent?
Should I fill out the top portion of the card before my appointment?

Demographic Data Requirements
The following fields must be completed. For detailed instructions on how to complete these fields, visit What is the FD-258 Card?
- Name
- Aliases
- Country of Citizenship
- Social Security Number (if you have one)
- Sex
- Race
- Height
- Weight
- Eyes
- Hair
- Place of Birth
Race Classification
Race classifications in the fingerprint transmission software is limited. In some ways it is very specific and in others not specific enough. There are five main classifications. Four of these have sub-classifications that must be selected.

Please see the list below. If you do not identify with any of the sub-classifications, enter U for undeterminable. If you do identify with one of the sub-classifications, enter the letter provided for the main classification on the FD-258 card, but then add a post-it note to the card with the sub-classification. For example, enter A on the card, then add on a post-it note, "Filipino."

Black — B (no sub-classifications)

Asian — A
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Filipino
- Korean
- Polynesian
- Indian
- Indonesian
- Asian Indian
- Samoan
- Other Pacific Islander
Indian — I
- American Indian
- Eskimo
- Alaskan Native
- Native Person w/ tribal affiliation
White — W
- Caucasian
- Central or South American
- Cuban
- Other Spanish Culture/Origin
- Puerto Rican
Fingerprints

Check the fingerprints before signing the card. Your fingerprints should be visible in each of the boxes.

Pay special attention to the Four Flat images at the bottom of the card. All four fingers for each hand must appear inside the appropriate box. Ideally they will all be visible above the words printed at the bottom.

Cards with incomplete images may be rejected by the FBI; cards missing prints entirely may not be transmitted by our office.
Date & Signature

Enter the current date at the time of the appointment. If the date was not printed on the card, be sure it is added by the technician. The date printed must reflect the date the fingerprints were taken.

The card MUST be signed by both you and the person who takes your fingerprints, on the same date that the fingerprint set on the card was taken.

NOTE: The bottom half of Form 3 must be completed and signed by the person who takes your fingerprints at the time your prints are taken.