Question 1

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

At our offices in Paris, our prices are from 120€ for two cards (one set). Additional cards cost 30€ each (so 180€ for two sets of prints/four fingerprint forms). Tax is included.

Appointments elsewhere are quoted as follows: Lyon 180€ / Toulouse 200€ / Nice 250€ / London £120 for one set of prints.

Any additional cards are charged at half price (e.g. 30€ for an additional card in Paris). Tax is included in the quote.

Question 2

Will my prints definitely be accepted/legible?

Accepted Answer

With nearly 10,000 fingerprint submissions, we have a rejection rate of less than 0.5% (while rare, there are some people who both the FBI and the RCMP agree are not printable).

If your prints are deemed illegible by the authorities, we will do them again at no additional cost.

Question 3

What happens at the appointment?

Accepted Answer

We will meet you at the appointed time and ask for your photo ID (or sometimes 2 forms of photo ID). We will complete the forms alongside you and ask you to check and sign them. Then we will take your fingerprints using fingerprint ink. The ink won't stain your hands.

Question 4

Can I go to a police station in France to get my prints taken?

Accepted Answer

Officially, police in France are not allowed to collect fingerprints; although you might find some who will be willing to help unofficially.

Question 5

I need prints from an authority not listed. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

If the authority needs fingerprints collected with ink , then we can usually help. However, you may have to print out the forms from the authority, if they are different from the FBI (FD-1164) or RCMP (C-216C) forms.

Question 6

I need prints as soon as possible. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Please get in touch using our contact form.
If you're struggling to access this, you can email us at fingerprintsparis@gmail.com with:
Your specific availability (dates/times)
The authority you need prints from (e.g. FBI, RCMP, etc.) 
Your preferred location (e.g. London or Paris)
We will do our best to arrange an appointment as soon as possible.

Question 7

What do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

You need to bring:
Your photo ID (not a photograph or copy) or 2 pieces of photo ID if requested.
Payment (cash or bank transfer)
An A4 envelope or folder to carry your prints home

Question 8

What should I do before the appointment?

Accepted Answer

As soon as you book your appointment, it's best to use hand cream as much as possible. If your hands are known to be particularly dry, consider using Reparative Hand Cream (e.g. Cerave) as much as you can weeks before your appointment. Most illegible prints are down to dry hands. 
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If you are collecting prints for the RCMP, you will need to select an agency/channeler in Canada before your appointment. Different agencies require different forms.

Question 9

Do you send the prints for me?

Accepted Answer

No, we do not send the prints for you. You will take the fingerprint cards away with you and submit them to the authority yourself. For data protection reasons, we cannot hold onto your fingerprints.

This is why we recommend you bring an A4 folder or envelope with you as the forms must be kept flat.

Question 10

Can you come to a location of my choice?

Accepted Answer

We are not a mobile fingerprinting service, so usually only offer the locations and dates provided.

However, you are welcome to request a quote to have an appointment at an alternative location (other than our offices in Paris and London) with sufficient notice. There will be additional costs to accommodate for travel needs and time lost.

If there is sufficient demand in a specific location (for instance, if a group of employees or colleagues need fingerprints), we will do our best to accommodate.

Question 11

What if I can no longer attend my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please go to your booking confirmation and use the cancellation link. Alternatively, please let us know via email as soon as you can. We often have a waiting list so any changes made within 24 hours of your appointment start time will incur a small late-notice fee (30€ in France and £30 in the UK).

Question 12

How can I get in touch with you?

Accepted Answer

We're only a small team, so recommend booking enquiries come through our Contact Form. That way, you'll get a swift response. If you have a more specific question, you can email fingerprintsparis@gmail.com and we will respond to you as soon as we can.

Question 13

I sent an enquiry via your Contact Form but didn't get a reply.

Accepted Answer

Please check your spam or junk mail. If our reply isn't there, feel free to email us at fingerprintsparis@gmail.com.

Question 14

Why do I need a criminal background check?

Accepted Answer

In plain terms, if you are applying for visas, nationality, or certain types of employment (for example), you might be required to prove that you were not convicted of any crimes in another country (where you have previously lived). You can do this by requesting an Identity History Background Check from that country. Different authorities require different information to process one of these requests, but often, if you're outside of the country, you have to mail your fingerprints to that authority so they can cross-reference their criminal database.