For this we had to get fingerprints done for Alan, me and our son, Matt.First, get your fingerprint card. Hah!! Not an easy task. There are a number of ways to do this. In large cities you can find a local FBI Office and ask them for a blank form. Tell them it is for immigration purposes. People have met with some success doing this. Or, you can try stationery stores.....limited success here. Or you can screw up your courage, wait in line for three hours and try to get one out of the US Immigration Service -I wouldn't mention that you need it for an application to Canada, it's not against the rules or anything but I can't see them being overly helpful. Hey what am I saying? This is the U.S. Immigration I am talking about! Every last one of them graduated top of the class from charm school!

Police Station - choose a fairly quiet time of day but wait until they've had their first coffee and doughnut - and grovel. The Police take people's fingerprints all the time. They're just not used to the idea of people doing it voluntarily. They will probably ask you if you have the correct card. This is where you look pathetic and say "No sorry." - don't mention immigration. They will think it is for US Immigration and the police have been told not to do those checks any more. Say it is for a simple background check. Offer to pay for the card. If all else fails a short skirt, stockings and lots of mascara sometimes works but we had a hell of the time shaving Alan's legs and he never did learn to walk in those heels.........

By the way, try to relax. If you have never had your prints taken before it is easy to mess it up by tensing your hand. This results in a smudgy print which just annoys the policeman doing it and will be rejectedby the FBI. Just let the nice Policeman/woman hold your hand, go all limpand think of Canada.

If you can't convince the police to do it there are some other ways. If there is an FBI office in your neck of the woods go and ask them. Then mail your card to:-

        US Department of Justice (FBI)
        1000 Custer Hollow Road
        Clarksburg
        WV 26306
        ATTN: S.C.U. Module D-2

together with a certified check(que) or money order for $18.00 perapplicant - a separate check(que) for each card. Make check(que) payable to U.S. Treasury. Then wait, and wait.......and wait....... It usually takes about 4 to 5 weeks but recently this has stretched to 9 or 10 weeks. You can call on 1-304-625-3878 to check if the card has been processes. After all this you get the same card back with a rubber stamp saying something like "No Record" assuming of course they didn't find out about the bank robbery you did last February. I have always felt we ought to at least get a nice gold star or something for being such good people but.....

If all else fails - I have scanned in a card which the FBI will allow you to use.

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