Info & FAQ
What is an EFT file?
An EFT (Electronic Fingerprint Transmission) file is a digital fingerprint record in the FBI's EBTS format. The ATF accepts EFT files through its eForms system for things like NFA applications (e.g., Form 1 and Form 4), in place of mailing physical FD-258 fingerprint cards.
What do I need to create one?
Either a scanned FD-258 card (a flatbed scan at 600 DPI works well) or a supported live-scan fingerprint scanner. The EFT Capture desktop app walks you through cropping, print placement, and applicant details, then generates and validates the file.
Which scanners are supported?
Integrated Biometrics ten-print scanners (the IB Kojak is the tested device), on Windows. The scanner driver is bundled with the app installer. macOS supports the full card-upload workflow; live scanning is Windows-only because the scanner manufacturer does not ship a macOS SDK.
Is my fingerprint data uploaded anywhere?
No. All image processing and EFT generation happens locally on your computer. The app works completely offline for card processing and live capture.
What is the online intake service?
An optional service for fingerprinting businesses. Your company gets a personal form link (like eftcapture.com/f/your-company) that customers fill out before their appointment — name, DOB, and other details needed for the EFT. Submissions appear as orders in your app's dashboard, and one click loads them into a new EFT so you never retype customer information.
How is customer information protected?
With end-to-end encryption. When your company registers, the app generates an encryption key pair on your computer. Only the public half is uploaded. A customer's browser encrypts their form data with that public key before submitting — the server stores ciphertext it cannot decrypt. Orders are only decrypted inside your app, on your machine.
Practical consequence: keep a backup of your computer (specifically the .eftsuite folder in your user directory). If you lose the machine that registered your account, encrypted orders cannot be recovered by anyone — including us. That's not a bug; it's what real end-to-end encryption means.
Where do I download the app?
Grab the Windows installer from the downloads page. The app checks for updates automatically and can install them with one click (Settings → App Updates). macOS build coming soon.
What does it cost?
The desktop app is free. The online intake service is currently free while in beta.
Is this affiliated with the ATF or FBI?
No. EFT Capture is an independent tool that produces files conforming to the published EBTS specification. You remain responsible for the accuracy and submission of your own applications.
Something's not working
Email info@eftcapture.com and we'll get you sorted out.