Sheriff’s Office fingerprints go digital

Many people come to the Sheriff’s Office to be fingerprinted, for government job applications, concealed weapon permits and for other purposes. In the past, although digital fingerprinting was available, many of the fingerprints were done the old fashioned way – on a paper fingerprint card. That has changed; now state and federal agencies that process these fingerprints are requiring they be done digitally.

What does this mean for the citizens who need these services? The upfront cost has increased. People used to pay a $5.00 fee to the Sheriff’s Office for their fingerprints on a card. They would then pay various charges to other agencies when they submitted those fingerprints for processing. Now, because the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for submitting both the fingerprints and other information directly, people will pay all costs associated with the fingerprint processing at the time they are fingerprinted.

The cost of fingerprint services runs from $35.00 to $50.00, depending on the agency the fingerprints will be submitted to. The Sheriff’s Office offers these services in the Lower Keys at the Stock Island Detention Center; in the Middle Keys at the Marathon Sheriff’s Substation; and in the Upper Keys at the Roth Building on Plantation Key between the hours 9 - 11 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding holidays.

Fingerprinting will no longer be offered at the Cudjoe Substation or at the Murray Nelson Building in Key Largo.

People should call in advance to find out how much their particular processing fee will be and to find out what paperwork they should bring with them. Payments will only be accepted in cash, preferably exact change. The phone number for the Stock Island Detention Center is 305-293-7348; the Marathon Substation phone number is 305-289-2430 and the Roth Building number is 305-853-3211.

Note: There are a few instances where hard copy fingerprint cards are still required – record expungements and some passports are examples. We will still offer these services for a $5.00 processing fee.