The old adage says “the times, they are a changing” and no truer words are being spoken as the days of squeezing out the black ink and rolling ink stained fingers on cards are almost over. Lee County Sheriff’s Office personnel have provided a service, commonly referred to as manual fingerprinting, for many years. Thousands of citizens have come to rely on this service when they were mandated to submit their fingerprints for employment in a variety of fields. As computer and digital technology advanced, electronic fingerprinting was introduced and now has become the mainstay.
Standards for submitting fingerprints are set by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In compliance with the latest requirements where manual fingerprints will no longer be accepted, the Sheriff’s Office converted to the electronic fingerprinting system, while still performing manual prints. The final touches of updating current machines, and the installation of two new ones, is being completed this week at area District Offices, thus bringing an end to the need for manual prints.
Those planning to utilize our service should note April 26 through 30, 2012 the final changeover to the new application will not allow submission of prints. Service is expected to resume on May 1, 2012.
The fee for fingerprinting is $5.00 dollars. It is cash only and you’re asked to bring exact change. Anyone who wants to take advantage of the fingerprinting service must provide a valid picture I.D.
Fingerprinting is done Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the following District Offices:
Alpha District: 121 Pondella Rd. North Fort Myers, Phone: 477-1810
Bravo District: 1123-B Homestead Rd. Lehigh Acres, Phone: 477-1820
Charlie District: 15650 Pine Ridge Rd Fort Myers, Phone: 477-1830
Delta District: 8951 Bonita Beach Rd. # 565 Bonita Springs, Phone: 477-1840
Echo District: 12995 S. Cleveland Ave. Fort Myers, Phone: 477-1850