How Long Does the US Embassy Keep Fingerprint Records?

When it comes to fingerprint records collected by the US embassy for visa processing and other immigration benefits, the retention period varies. While some sources suggest that fingerprints are kept for 15 years, the US government's biometric data collection policy indicates that they are maintained indefinitely by the FBI.

US Embassy and Fingerprint Storage Practices

The US embassy does not retain fingerprints themselves. Instead, they are transmitted to and maintained by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division in West Virginia. These records are considered part of a permanent government database and are stored for an indefinite period.

In addition to the FBI, the database is accessible to various agencies. For instance, the Department of State (DoS) provides access to biometric data and linked visa information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This data sharing extends to other countries under the M5 program, which involves biometric information sharing among the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Retrieval and Security Measures

Given the security measures in place, the marginal cost of storing and searching digital fingerprints is negligible. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that these records are kept indefinitely. The DoS servers are designed to store and search digitized fingerprints efficiently, with near-zero time costs for retrieval and transmission.

The Department of State emphasizes the importance of secure servers and the fact that fingerprints are not retained by the embassy. They are transmitted immediately to a central system in the United States for verification purposes. This process ensures that any overlapping data or issues can be addressed promptly.

Retention Periods for Fingerprint Records

Based on current policies, fingerprint records in the US embassy's system are only maintained for a brief period, typically around 30 minutes. The facilities to store fingerprints and the required security measures are not available at the embassy level. This practice ensures that the sensitivity and security of the data are not compromised.

While some agencies retain fingerprints indefinitely, the US government's approach is to ensure that these records are only temporarily stored at the embassy before being securely transferred to the central repository maintained by the FBI.

Permanent Storage and Biometric Data Sharing

It is crucial to understand that the central repository where fingerprints are stored by the FBI is used to maintain permanent records. These records are accessible to multiple agencies and departments, including DHS and other law enforcement entities. The fingerprint data can be retrieved and transmitted to various agencies within seconds for verification and other purposes.

Any concern about the retention of fingerprints should be directed to the central authority—such as the FBI—where these records are maintained. It is highly unlikely that fingerprints are retained indefinitely by the embassy itself, as the primary objective is to ensure security and minimize the data's exposure.

Conclusion

In summary, while the US embassy is not responsible for storing fingerprint records for extended periods, the FBI's repository maintains these records permanently. The secure sharing of biometric data through various government and international agencies ensures that the data is always available for necessary checks and verifications.