Fingerprint Cards for Firearm Transfers and NFA Items

Isaidy PintoMiami Dade Apostille6 min read

Fingerprint cards are required for certain firearm-related transactions regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) — particularly transfers of National Firearms Act (NFA) items such as suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and machine guns. This guide explains the fingerprint card requirements for these transactions and how they differ from the fingerprint cards used for FBI background checks and apostilles.

ATF Form 4 and NFA Transfers

When an individual purchases an NFA item (suppressor, short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun, machine gun, destructive device, or any other weapon), the transfer must be approved by the ATF. For individual transfers (not through a trust or corporation), the buyer must submit:

ATF Form 4 (Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm)
Two completed FD-258 fingerprint cards
Two passport-style photographs
Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) notification
$200 tax stamp payment

The FD-258 Card for ATF Submissions

The ATF requires ink fingerprinting on the standard FD-258 fingerprint card — the same card used for FBI Identity History Summary requests. The cards must be completed correctly: all fields filled in, prints rolled properly, and no smudging or incomplete prints. Improperly completed cards are rejected, which delays the already lengthy NFA transfer process (currently 6–12+ months).

NFA transfer wait times are measured in months. A rejected fingerprint card adds weeks to the process. Miami Dade Apostille's fingerprinting staff are trained in FD-258 completion for ATF submissions — we check every card before it leaves our office.

Trust and Corporation Transfers

NFA items transferred to a gun trust or corporation (ATF Form 4 with a legal entity) require fingerprint cards and photographs from each "responsible person" listed on the trust or corporate documents. If your trust has multiple trustees, each trustee must submit fingerprint cards. Miami Dade Apostille can process multiple responsible persons in a single appointment.

ATF Form 1 (Making an NFA Item)

ATF Form 1 (Application to Make and Register a Firearm) — used when an individual manufactures an NFA item such as a suppressor or short-barreled rifle — also requires FD-258 fingerprint cards for individual applicants. The same quality standards apply.

How This Differs from FBI Apostille Fingerprinting

The FD-258 card is the same physical form used for both ATF NFA transfers and FBI Identity History Summary requests (for apostille). The difference is where the card is sent: ATF submissions go to the ATF; FBI Identity History Summary requests go to the FBI's CJIS Division. Miami Dade Apostille can prepare FD-258 cards for either purpose — or both, if you need them simultaneously.

Get your FD-258 fingerprint cards

Call or book an appointment. We prepare FD-258 cards for ATF NFA transfers, FBI background checks, and apostille — correctly, the first time.

Call 1-800-631-9171 WhatsApp Us

Ready to move forward? Book an appointment or call us at 1-800-631-9171.

Miami Dade Apostille is a private document coordination company. We are not a government agency and do not issue apostilles. Apostilles are issued by the Florida Secretary of State or the relevant state authority. We coordinate the preparation, submission, and retrieval process on your behalf.