SWFT fingerprinting for security clearances in Portland & Beaverton
Starting a job that needs a DCSA investigation for a personnel security clearance? Your company is waiting on your fingerprints. We capture them electronically in Beaverton and transmit them through our approved SWFT vendor partner, so your record can update in about 3 business days instead of waiting on mailed cards. Need hard cards instead? We print those too.
- Electronic capture, $80
- Submitted through an approved SWFT vendor partner
- FD-258 cards on-site
What is SWFT? SWFT (Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission) is the Department of Defense system that lets defense industry and federal agency users submit electronic fingerprints and demographic information to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency's (DCSA) Fingerprint Transaction System (FTS) for people who need a DCSA investigation for a personnel security clearance. Oregon Fingerprinting, based in Beaverton, captures SWFT fingerprints for applicants across Portland Metro and Clark County, WA, and transmits them through an approved SWFT vendor partner. Read the official guidance on DCSA's fingerprint submission page (opens in new tab).
Clearance fingerprints, handled right the first time
Your start date depends on this step. We take your prints on professional digital equipment so they read clean, and we check your company's submission details with you before anything is sent. You leave knowing exactly what happens next.
FSOs and HR teams: onboarding several cleared hires at once? Email us to book multiple employees and we'll set up the schedule with you.
- New hires and contractors at cleared defense companies
- Federal agency applicants who need a DCSA investigation
- Employees being reinvestigated or upgraded
- Anyone whose Facility Security Officer (FSO) asked for SWFT or fingerprint cards
Not sure which route your company wants? Ask your FSO first, then book.
Two ways to submit. We handle both.
DCSA accepts fingerprints two ways. Your company decides which one it needs.
Electronic through an approved SWFT vendor
We capture your prints electronically and transmit them through our approved SWFT vendor partner. Electronic submission lets your background check update within about 3 business days.
FD-258 fingerprint cards
We roll your prints on FD-258 cards and you submit them on your own, following your company's instructions. DCSA currently still accepts the FD-258. If your company hands you SF 87 cards, bring them with you.
Where your prints go after you leave
Six stops, in order. Knowing the path makes it easier to follow up with your FSO.
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Step 1
Applicant
You come in with your ID and your company's SON, SOI, and IPAC.
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Step 2
Third-party vendor
Your prints are captured electronically and sent through an approved SWFT vendor.
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Step 3
Cleared company
Your employer's security office is the organization the submission belongs to.
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Step 4
DMDC SWFT
The file arrives in SWFT, the DoD system run by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC).
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Step 5
OPM
The submission moves on to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
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Step 6
FBI
Your fingerprints are checked against FBI criminal history records.
What to bring to your SWFT appointment
Get these from your company's Facility Security Officer (FSO) before your appointment.
Required
- SON (Submitting Office Number)
- SOI (Security Office Identifier)
- IPAC (Intra-Governmental Payment and Collection)
- Company name
- Company address
- Company phone number (Security/POC)
- Point of Contact / Security Officer name
- Point of Contact / Security Officer email
- Type of transaction (DoD, DoS, DoJ, DSS, OPM, etc.), if known
- A valid, government-issued photo ID
Optional
- CAGE Code
Oregon Fingerprinting · 20001 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy, Beaverton, OR 97003 · (503) 536-2326 · info@oregonfingerprints.com · oregonfingerprints.com/swft-fingerprinting.html
What happens after your appointment
- About 48 hours: processing usually takes about 48 hours.
- Tracking: your company's Point of Contact receives the TCN (Transaction Control Number) to track and retrieve the results.
- Within 3 days: the fingerprint SAC shows complete on the Person Summary screen in DISS within 3 days of submission.
Your company's security office sees the result, not us and not you directly. If you're waiting on an update, your FSO is the person to ask.
One visit. One price.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| SWFT fingerprinting, electronicCaptured here, transmitted through our approved SWFT vendor partner | $80 |
| FD-258 fingerprint cardsTwo cards included · you submit them | $75 |
| Multiple employees or on-siteWe come to your facility | Ask |
Additional fees may apply and will be discussed during the appointment.
SWFT fingerprinting FAQ
The acronyms, decoded
- SWFT (Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission)
- The DoD system used to send electronic fingerprints and demographic information to DCSA for security clearance investigations.
- SAC (Special Agreement Check)
- The fingerprint process used for criminal history checks in background investigations for federal employment and security clearances.
- DISS (Defense Information System for Security)
- Primarily a reference system for checking existing security clearance information, managed through the DCSA Systems Portal. Your fingerprint SAC shows complete here.
- TCN (Transaction Control Number)
- The tracking number for your fingerprint submission. Your company's Point of Contact uses it to track and retrieve results.
- SON (Submitting Office Number)
- Identifies the office submitting your fingerprints. Your FSO provides it.
- SOI (Security Office Identifier)
- Identifies the security office that receives the results. Your FSO provides it.
- IPAC (Intra-Governmental Payment and Collection)
- The billing code used to pay for the government side of the check. Your FSO provides it.
- CAGE Code (Commercial and Government Entity Code)
- A five-character ID assigned to companies that do business with the federal government. Optional for your appointment.
- FSO (Facility Security Officer)
- The person at your company who manages security clearances. Your go-to for every code on the checklist.
Need a different kind of fingerprinting?
We also handle FBI background checks with results in about 30 minutes, FINRA fingerprinting for Form U4, FD-258 fingerprint cards for any agency, and business and group fingerprinting, all under one roof.
Ready for your SWFT fingerprints?
Bring your SON, SOI, and IPAC. We'll take it from there. Serving Portland Metro and Clark County, WA from our Beaverton office.