NFA Fingerprint Services Comparison 2026
Every option for getting ATF-compliant fingerprints, compared
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Complete Comparison Table
| Service | Type | Cost | Output Format | EFT Ready? | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silencer Shop Kiosk | Fingerprinting | Free (with purchase) | EFT | ✅ Yes | SS dealers only |
| IdentoGO | Fingerprinting | $15-50 | NIST | ❌ Needs conversion | Nationwide |
| PrintScan | Fingerprinting | $20-45 | NIST | ❌ Needs conversion | Regional |
| Police Stations | Fingerprinting | $10-25 | FD-258 cards | ❌ Needs scan + conversion | Most areas |
| UPS Store | Fingerprinting | $25-45 | FD-258 cards | ❌ Needs scan + conversion | Select locations |
| DIY Ink & Cards | Self-service | $5-15 | FD-258 cards | ❌ Needs scan + conversion | Anywhere |
| SlapEFT | Converter | Varies | EFT (output) | ✅ Converts to EFT | Online |
| EFTCreator | Converter | $30 one-time | EFT (output) | ✅ Converts to EFT | Software download |
| National Gun Trusts | Trust + Fingerprinting bundle | $50-150 | EFT | ✅ Yes (bundled) | Online + mail |
Fingerprinting Services (Capture Your Prints)
Silencer Shop Kiosk
Cost: Free with suppressor purchase
Output: ATF EFT format (ready to upload)
Process: Digital capture at in-store kiosk
Pros
- Free when buying from SS
- EFT format—no conversion needed
- Stored in account for reuse
- Fast, easy process
Cons
- Only at SS dealer locations
- Must purchase through SS ecosystem
- Can't use for non-SS purchases
Best for: Buyers purchasing through Silencer Shop dealers
IdentoGO
Cost: $15-50 depending on location/service
Output: NIST format (requires conversion to EFT)
Process: Professional LiveScan at appointment
Pros
- Professional quality
- Nationwide locations
- Digital output (NIST file)
- Appointment scheduling online
Cons
- Outputs NIST, not EFT
- Must request electronic file
- Conversion required
- Higher cost than DIY
Best for: Those wanting professional prints not buying through SS
PrintScan
Cost: $20-45
Output: NIST format (requires conversion to EFT)
Process: LiveScan at regional locations
Pros
- Professional quality
- Digital output
- Good in areas with locations
Cons
- Limited locations (regional)
- Outputs NIST, not EFT
- Conversion required
Best for: Those in areas with PrintScan locations, no IdentoGO nearby
Police Stations
Cost: $10-25 (some free)
Output: FD-258 physical cards
Process: Ink-and-roll by officer/staff
Pros
- Cheapest professional option
- Available most areas
- Often walk-in available
Cons
- Physical cards only (usually)
- Need to scan yourself
- Conversion required
- Quality varies by technician
Best for: Budget-conscious, those comfortable scanning cards
UPS Store
Cost: $25-45
Output: FD-258 physical cards
Process: Ink-and-roll at notary services
Pros
- Convenient hours
- Many locations
- Appointment usually not needed
Cons
- Physical cards only
- Higher cost than police
- Need to scan yourself
- Conversion required
- Not all locations offer service
Best for: Those needing convenient hours, no police station access
DIY Ink and Cards
Cost: $5-15 (ink pad + cards)
Output: FD-258 physical cards
Process: Self-rolled at home
Pros
- Cheapest option
- No appointment needed
- Can redo until satisfied
- Do it on your schedule
Cons
- Quality depends on skill
- Need scanner
- Conversion required
- Learning curve
Best for: Budget buyers willing to learn technique
Converter Tools (Change Format to EFT)
SlapEFT
Cost: Varies by plan
Input: NIST, EFTS, EBTS, scanned FD-258 cards
Output: ATF EFT format
Pros
- Converts multiple formats
- Handles scanned cards
- Online—no software install
- Quick turnaround
Cons
- Requires existing fingerprints
- Not a fingerprinting service
Best for: Anyone with fingerprints in non-EFT format
EFTCreator
Cost: $30 one-time purchase
Input: FBI fingerprint files
Output: ATF EFT format
Pros
- One-time cost
- Unlimited conversions
- Local software (offline)
Cons
- Software download required
- Windows only
- Limited input formats
- No scanned card support
Best for: Windows users with FBI-format files planning many applications
Bundle Services (Trust + Fingerprints)
National Gun Trusts
Cost: $50-150 for trust + fingerprint package
Includes: NFA trust document + fingerprint processing
Output: EFT format (handled for you)
Pros
- All-in-one service
- Trust + fingerprints together
- EFT conversion included
- Support for the process
Cons
- Higher total cost
- Mail-in fingerprint process
- Longer than DIY route
- May not need trust
Best for: First-time buyers wanting complete hand-holding
Which Should You Choose?
Buying through Silencer Shop dealer?
→ Use Silencer Shop kiosk (free, outputs EFT directly)
Not buying through SS, want professional prints?
→ Use IdentoGO + SlapEFT converter
On a tight budget?
→ DIY ink cards or police station + SlapEFT converter
Already have fingerprints from another background check?
→ Request your file + use SlapEFT converter
Want someone to handle everything?
→ National Gun Trusts bundle (if you also need a trust)
Planning many NFA purchases, tech-savvy?
→ EFTCreator one-time purchase (if you have compatible files)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get fingerprints for a suppressor?
The cheapest method is DIY ink-and-roll using FD-258 cards ($5-15 for supplies) then scanning and converting to EFT format. For professional fingerprinting, police stations are typically cheapest at $10-20. If buying through Silencer Shop, their kiosk is free with purchase.
Which fingerprint service gives EFT files directly?
Silencer Shop kiosks output ATF EFT format directly. Most other services (IdentoGO, PrintScan, police stations) provide NIST format or physical cards that require conversion to EFT. EFTCreator and SlapEFT are converter tools, not fingerprinting services—they convert existing prints to EFT format.
Is Silencer Shop fingerprinting really free?
Silencer Shop kiosk fingerprinting is free when purchasing suppressors through their network. The fingerprint cost is built into their service model. If you're not buying through Silencer Shop, you cannot use their kiosks for standalone fingerprinting.
What's the difference between SlapEFT and EFTCreator?
Both are fingerprint file converters, not fingerprinting services. SlapEFT converts NIST, EFTS, EBTS, and scanned FD-258 cards to ATF EFT format. EFTCreator is a $30 one-time purchase tool that converts FBI fingerprint files to ATF format. Neither service takes your fingerprints—they convert existing fingerprint files.
Can IdentoGO give me an EFT file?
IdentoGO provides fingerprints in NIST format, not ATF EFT format. You must convert the NIST file to EFT before uploading to ATF eForms. Request the electronic NIST file from IdentoGO, then use a converter like SlapEFT to create the ATF-compliant EFT file.
Have Fingerprints? Convert to EFT
Whatever source you use, if you have NIST, EFTS, EBTS, or scanned cards, SlapEFT converts them to ATF-ready EFT format.
Convert Fingerprints Now →