FBI (FD-258 / FD-1164) vs C-216C Fingerprint Card

What Is the Difference?

Fingerprint cards are required to obtain police certificates or criminal background checks from different countries. The type of fingerprint card depends on the authority requesting your criminal record check.

FBI Fingerprint Card – FD-258 / FD-1164

The FBI standard fingerprint card (FD-258 / FD-1164) is used to obtain a Police Certificate from the United States.

RCMP Fingerprint Card – C-216C

The RCMP-certified C-216C fingerprint card is used to obtain police clearance certificates for all countries except the United States.

Some countries only accept their own fingerprint card. In such cases, Fingerprinting FP provides Ink & Roll fingerprinting services using actual ink.

When Do You Need These Cards?

You will need these fingerprint cards when applying for:

• FBI criminal record checks
• Foreign police clearance certificates
• Immigration, residency, employment, or licensing abroad

At our Brampton fingerprinting office, fingerprints are captured electronically using the Livescan system and printed onto the required fingerprint cards.

Livescan produces the highest quality fingerprint impressions and significantly reduces rejection rates compared to traditional ink fingerprinting.

Process

1. Your fingerprints are captured electronically using Livescan at our Brampton location.

2. Both rolled and flat fingerprint impressions are recorded.

3. Your fingerprint card is printed on the required FD-258 / FD-1164 or C-216C format.

4. The completed fingerprint card is handed to you immediately.

5. You submit the card to the requesting authority as per their instructions.

What to Bring

Please bring:

• Two valid government-issued photo IDs
• Any instruction letter or email from the requesting authority

Common examples include:

• Driver’s License
• Passport

Cost

Please visit our Pricing page for fingerprinting services at our Brampton office.

Results

Processing timelines depend entirely on the FBI or foreign authority to which you submit your fingerprint card. Fingerprinting FP does not control processing times or outcomes.

Countries That Accept C-216C Fingerprint Card

• Algeria
• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Brunei
• Dubai
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Hong Kong
• Iran
• Indonesia
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Liberia
• Mexico
• Nigeria
• Thailand
• Tanzania
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uganda
• UAE
• Qatar
• South Africa
• Sudan
• Singapore
• Zambia

Countries That Do Not Accept C-216C Fingerprint Card

• Australia
• Bahrain
• Egypt (Embassy fingerprint card – Ink & Roll required)
• Saudi Arabia
• United Kingdom (No fingerprints required)
• Philippines (Embassy fingerprint card – Ink & Roll required)
• Jordan (No fingerprints required)
• Brazil (No fingerprints required)
• South Korea

Important Notice

Country fingerprinting requirements can change at any time. Please verify requirements directly with the requesting authority. Our Brampton fingerprinting team will also be happy to assist you before your appointment.