If you're buying a suppressor, building a short-barreled rifle, or setting up a gun trust, fingerprints are part of the paperwork. NFA applications require prints submitted to the ATF, and getting them clean and in the right format keeps your application moving instead of bouncing back. Here's what ATF fingerprinting and EFT files involve, and how we handle both.
NFA applications need prints — trust or individual
National Firearms Act applications — the ones covering items like suppressors and SBRs — require fingerprints submitted to the ATF. That's true whether you're applying as an individual or through a trust. The prints go to the ATF as part of the background review, and your application isn't complete without them.
FD-258 cards vs. EFT files
Traditionally, ATF submissions used physical FD-258 fingerprint cards — the classic ink-style card mailed in with your form. That's still an option, and for some filings it's what's required. But as ATF eForms have taken over, more applications now call for an EFT file, short for Electronic Fingerprint Transmission. An EFT is a digital fingerprint file that attaches directly to your eForms submission — no mailing, no scanning.
We do both. So whether your attorney or your filing tells you to bring a card or upload an electronic file, you're covered in one appointment.
- ATF & EFT Files — $110. Electronic fingerprint transmission for ATF eForms submissions.
- Fingerprint Cards — $75 (two included). Physical FD-258 cards when your filing requires them.
Additional fees may apply and will be discussed during the appointment.
Gun trusts: everyone gets printed
A gun trust adds a wrinkle worth planning for. Every responsible person on the trust typically needs their own set of prints — not just the person filing. If your trust has two or three responsible persons, that's two or three sets of fingerprints to gather. For a trust with several people, ask about group or on-site service so everyone is printed together in a single visit rather than coordinating separate trips.
Why clean prints matter here
NFA timelines are already long. A rejected fingerprint submission — smudged, incomplete, or wrong format — doesn't just cost you a re-do; it resets your place in a queue that can run many months. Getting the prints right the first time is the cheapest insurance you can buy on an already-slow process. That's the whole point of having them taken by someone who does this daily.
What to bring
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and any format requirements from your attorney or your filing — whether the submission needs an EFT file, physical cards, or both. If your trust attorney gave you specific instructions, bring those; we'll match whatever the filing calls for.
A few common questions
Do NFA applications require fingerprints?
Yes — suppressors, SBRs, and other NFA items require prints submitted to the ATF, whether filed under a trust or as an individual.
What's an EFT file?
An Electronic Fingerprint Transmission file — a digital fingerprint file that attaches to an ATF eForms submission instead of a mailed card. We produce both EFT files and physical cards.
Does everyone on a gun trust need prints?
Generally, yes. Every responsible person typically needs their own set. Ask about group service for trusts with several people.
How much is ATF fingerprinting?
ATF & EFT Files $110, Fingerprint Cards $75 (two included). Additional fees may apply and will be discussed during the appointment.
Get your ATF prints done right
EFT files and FD-258 cards for NFA applications and gun trusts across Portland Metro and Clark County, WA.