USPS is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to test fingerprinting services at two Washington, DC, Post Offices.
The program allows the offices to provide fingerprinting services to customers applying for an identity history summary check (IdHSC), which lists certain information taken from fingerprint submissions kept by the FBI. An IdHSC can be required for adoptions, foreign travel and other purposes.
“The Postal Service will be able to demonstrate its capability to enhance government services for its customers while driving in-store traffic,” said Lauren Lee, a digital integrations manager at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC.
The trial program, an expansion of the Postal Service’s existing passport services relationship with the U.S. Department of State, operates with the goal of broadening the organization’s role as a government services provider.
Each fingerprinting transaction generates $50 in revenue for the Postal Service.
Customer Kunal Sangwan, a software engineer who needed to provide formal proof of identity for employment purposes, recently visited one of the participating Post Offices to take advantage of the fingerprinting service.
“The Post Office was convenient. It was within walking distance, which made the entire process a most pleasant one,” he said.
The test is expected to be expanded to additional areas in 2019.
“This is a great opportunity for USPS to continue to be out front,” said Washington, DC, Postmaster Gerald Roane. “This provides customers with convenient access to an additional service.”