Fingerprints are necessary for both local and international processes, including those in the U.S. and other countries. For foreigners in Colombia who aren’t aware of how to navigate this process, this blog will help them avoid delays and rejections while meeting the required standards.
In the United States, fingerprints are needed in many procedures to ensure security, authenticity, and accountability. The most common cases are:
Visas, immigration processes, and adoption procedures
Security clearance for government positions
Licensing for professions such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement
Outside U.S. territory, fingerprints are also required for legal and administrative purposes. For example, in Canada, Australia or European countries, they often require fingerprints to apply for residency, obtain criminal records as in the U.S., get liquor, children’s education, or other business-related licenses, and make registers and studies to enter a specific labor market. You need to pay attention to what your process asks you and know what precisely the fingerprinting process is about.
What is a fingerprint?
Fingerprints are unique patterns found on the tips of fingers. These patterns do not change as a person gets older. Governments and organizations use fingerprints to give each person a unique identity. Most countries have biometric systems to identify their citizens and visitors. Fingerprints are reliable identifiers that are hard to alter.
In USA and many other countries, the government uses biometric fingerprinting to keep detailed records of individuals. This technology helps with security, prevents fraud, and maintains accurate records, which, in turn, are used to tracking crime, manage immigration, and ensure national security.
And this resource has become very useful worldwide, especially in recent years when collective awareness has increased. Governments and other organizations are focused on reducing crime by implementing complex checks on citizens, especially when they relocate to other lands.
Why do I need the fingerprints in Colombia?
If you are an expat living in Colombia and are going through a migration process or any other procedure that requires criminal record documentation from your country of origin or the last country you visited, you may need to obtain fingerprints. This is necessary if the organization that issued the records specifically requires prints to send the report.
In fact, for American citizens or foreigners who have stayed in the United States for more than six months, acquiring certified FBI fingerprints is a crucial step in obtaining the Federal Criminal Records: the FBI Background Check.
The FBI Background Check is a report that shows a person’s criminal record of the absence when no crime is registered. It uses fingerprints from U.S. citizens or visitors who enter the country and register at immigration offices. Each person’s unique identification is their fingerprints. If people commit a crime in the U.S. territory, their FBI report will show this.
The FBI background check is necessary for Colombia visa applications, including retirement visas and other categories, as additional requirements that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asks for. Additionally, this background check and any other are not limited to visa processes; companies and organizations you plan to work with or conduct business with may also require it to get a clearance of your criminal records and ensure you are clean.
FBI Background Check Service
The FBI Background Check service of expatgroup.co, consists of intermediating with the FBI to obtain a digital background certificate for American citizens, that is valid before the Colombian government for visa applications from Colombia.
There could be other situations in Colombia where you may need to provide fingerprints, particularly if you have paperwork in your home country that specifically requires them. In any case, make sure your fingerprints are collected in a way that accomplishes the standards. This is necessary for background checks and any other legal verifications.
Where can I take my fingerprints in Colombia?
Unlike many other countries, fingerprint services aren’t available for all individuals who require them in Colombia because fingerprinting is restricted to government and law enforcement agencies. The only way to obtain them is with an authorized company or taking them by yourself.
Each procedure that requires this document has its own specific requirements. For example, the FBI Criminal Records and other American procedures require FBI Form 258, also known as the FD-258 Card, to advance the FBI Fingerprints in a certified way. If you are in Colombia, you can provide the filled card by post mail following the FBI instructions. And based on our experience, the same card can be used for multiple processes apart from this specifically case.
The contras of taking the Fingerprint Card on your own is that you can make a mistake without professional advice. The best decision when the time comes to avoid delay or prevent losing the process because of an error with the prints is to seek specialized guidance for taking fingerprints from the beginning.
Some fingerprint service providers can assist you in obtaining your prints effectively. Whether using traditional methods or certified digital scanners, they offer expert advice and specific instructions to help prevent any issues during the fingerprinting process.
How can I get a fingerprinting service in Colombia’s territory?
If you are looking for high-tech and quality fingerprinting services in Colombia, you can rely on expatgroup.co. We provide not only traditional fingerprinting services utilizing ink and paper but also offer advanced biometric technology. Our scanning machines are certified by the FBI and feature verification capabilities, ensuring each fingerprint is accurately captured and confirmed as clear and correct in real time.
The digital fingerprinting service is exclusively available in Medellín at the expatgroup.co’s office in El Poblado. Schedule an appointment with our advisors and arrive at the selected day and time.
If you are not currently in Medellín, we recommend traveling to the city for this process to ensure that your fingerprinting is performed accurately. Our biometric software assesses the clarity and accuracy of each fingerprint, so it’s important to have this completed in person.
If you can’t travel, we have enabled the home delivery service of the traditional fingerprinting process for six of the main Colombian cities.
Digital fingerprinting with an FBI-certified scanner
You can get a printed FD-258 Card in Medellín with an automatic fingerprint verification process to ensure that each fingerprint is correct.
Traditional fingerprinting with the ink and paper method
Opt for the traditional ink fingerprinting if you are in Bogotá, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Cali, or Bucaramanga.
How much does it cost to get the fingerprints in Colombia?
expatgroup.co offers fingerprinting services with varying costs depending on the location. In Medellín, the fee includes the digital process printed in the FD-258 Card with a promotional price of $75 USD. You will get additional charges if you choose the fingerprint ink home delivery service for other cities because of the logistics, courier services, and other matters. Also. We can offer an integral service if you’re interested in other related services, such as the FBI Background Check Certificate, official translations, and U.S. apostilles.
In the table below, you will find a comparison of the main service and its associates, adding the costs related per city. You can click on prices to purchase your selected service.
| City | Fingerprints Only |
Fingerprints + FBI Background Check |
Fingerprints + FBI BCheck + Apostille+ Translations |
|---|---|---|---|
Medellín | |||
Bogotá | |||
Cartagena | |||
Barranquilla | |||
Santa Marta | |||
Cali | |||
Bucaramanga |
*Apply terms and conditions
The best offer will always be the collection of fingerprints in Medellín by using our FBI-certified scanner. If you have any questions, please contact us; we will solve your doubts.
FAQs about FAQs about Fingerprints in Colombia
In Colombia, fingerprints must be taken through authorized providers such as expatgroup.co. Digital fingerprinting services are available in Medellín, while ink fingerprinting can be arranged in cities like Bogotá, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Cali, and Bucaramanga.
Fingerprints are required for an FBI Background Check, a document often needed for visa applications, criminal record verification, or other legal procedures.
Yes, American Citizens or foreigners who stay for more than 6 months in the USA and who are applying for a Colombia retirement visa require an FBI Background Check; process that needs a mandatory fingerprinting card.
Taking fingerprints on your own is possible but not recommended. Errors in the process can lead to rejection or delays. Professional fingerprinting services ensure compliance with FBI standards and other organizations that require it.
Some costs are associated with the city where you will get your fingerprints and the additional process you will need to add depending on your process. Check our table comparison.
Digital fingerprinting uses FBI-certified scanners, offering accurate and immediate verification. Traditional ink fingerprinting involves manual processing and is available in select cities.
Yes, expatgroup.co offers digital fingerprinting services using advanced FBI-certified scanners at expatgroup.co’s office in El Poblado, Medellín.
Yes, online appointment scheduling is available for digital fingerprinting in Medellín through expatgroup.co’s website.
expatgroup.co enables ink fingerprinting services in Bogotá, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Cali, and Bucaramanga. These services ensure compliance with legal standards, even outside Medellín.
Why should I use expatgroup.co services?
No.1 Agency in Colombia
+10 years of experience
100% online services
Quotations, advice and procedures
Professional and bilingual assistance
Fingerprinting service
- Fingerprinting (Medellin)
- FD-258 fingerprint card
- Note: The service offered includes the card printed on normal letter paper.
Fingerprinting service and FBI Background Check
- Filling out the FBI form.
- Fingerprinting (Medellín).
- International shipment to USA.
- FBI criminal record certificate (digital).
- Note: To request fingerprints in other cities in Colombia, request a quote.
Contact us
