General Information:

• Please Note: Fingerprint Cards Must be Filled Out in Black Ink Only
• Please print everything on the fingerprint cards legibly. 
• According to the DPS, 25% of all ink CHL fingerprint cards submitted across the state will be rejected.
• However, our fingerprint card rejection rate has averaged less than 10%. If you took the class from us and need to be re-fingerprinted, we will re-fingerprint you at no charge- but by appointment only.
• Due to the overwhelming number of CHL applicants, the DPS has been experiencing a shortage of fingerprint cards. This shortage has led to a mixture of fingerprint cards being supplied in the packets.
• Some packets are supplied with (2) FBI cards, while others have (2) Texas DPS cards. Ordinarily, there is suppose to be (1) card from each agency for the new applicant packet. Oor in the case of renewal packets, only (1) FBI card.
• Regardless of which cards you receive, fill both out and submit them with your application packet after being fingerprinted.
• Here are some tips and information that will explain how to fill each out correctly:

Common areas of confusion on the Texas DPS (Crime Records Service- Austin) fingerprint card:

• “Name (Last , First, Middle)”- neatly print your full legal name
• “DPS NO. (SID)”- leave this box blank
• “P.O.B.”- this is place of birth. If born in the U.S., list your state's abbreviation (i.e. TX). If born in a foreign country, try your best to fit that country's name in this small box.
• “HGT, WGT., EYES, HAIR”- make sure these match the application form, or your fingerprint card will be sent back to you for correction or clarification. Ladies that frequently change their hair need to list the color that appears on the CHL passport photos.
• “ETH.”- this is ethnicity and you have the option of leaving it blank
• “CITZ.”- U.S.
• “FPC”- leave this box blank.
• “ALIAS NAME(S)”-  this is if you go by anything other than your legal name. For example, if you’re legal given name is “Jonathan” and you go by “Bubba”. Then, list Bubba as your Alias. However, going by “John” is not an alias for the legal name of Jonathan. “SCARS, MARKS, TATTOOS, AMPUTATIONS”- if outwardly visible to other people, list a brief description of what and where. For example, “Tattoo- left forearm”
• “CONTRIBUTING AGENCY”- will be filled in by the folks taking your fingerprints (we use “CFC”)
• “TYPE”- leave blank
• “APPLICANT ADDRESS”- this is where you live, not just receive mail or own property. Again, make sure this address matches that of your   application.
• “DATE PRINTS TAKEN”- to be filled in by person taking prints (make sure it has not been left blank)
• “FINGERPRINTS TAKEN BY”- to be signed in by person taking prints (not to be left blank)
• “SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT”- your legal name signed here

Common areas of confusion on the FBI fingerprint card:

•  “LAST NAME  NAM FIRST NAME  MIDDLE NAME”- neatly print your full legal name
•  “SIGNATURE OF PERSON FINGERPRINTED”- your legal name signed here
• “ALIASES  AKA”- this is if you go by anything other than your legal name. For example, if you’re legal given name is “Jonathan” and you go by “Bubba”. Then list Bubba as your Alias. However, going by “John” is not an alias for the legal name of Jonathan.
• “RESIDENCE OF PERSON FINGERPRINTED”- this is the address where you actually live, not just receive mail or own property. Again, make sure this address matches that of your application.
• “DATE”-  this is the day you were fingerprinted (make sure it has not been left blank)
• “SIGNATURE OF OFFICIAL TAKING FINGERPRINTS”- to be signed in by person taking prints (not to be left blank)
• “EMPLOYER AND ADDRESS”- this is for the person/ agency  that took your fingerprints- not your employer’s address (again, not left blank)
• “CITIZENSHIP CTZ”- U.S.
• “SEX, RACE, HGT, WGT, EYES, HAIR”- make sure these match the application form, or your fingerprint card will be sent back to you for correction or clarification. Ladies that frequently change their hair need to list the color that appears on the CHL passport photos.
• “PLACE OF BIRTH POB”- if born in U.S., list the state (i.e. Texas) / or list the foreign country
• “YOUR NO. OCA”- leave blank
• “FBI NO. FBI”- leave this box blank
• “ARMED FORCES NO. MNU”- for the vast majority of applicants, this one is leave blank. Even for those that served in the military, it is our understanding that armed forces numbers were not issued past the Korean War (i.e. military I.D. = Social security#)
• “MISCELLANEOUS NO. MNU”- leave blank