Where to get fingerprinted in Boquete/David

[MJ]

Hi Everyone,

I need to get a set of fingerprints to send to the US.  Does anyone know where I can get this done in David or Boquete?

Thanks,

Marilyn

[TwoSailors]

Policia Nacional in David?

[MJ]

Thank you.  Is that at the prison or the DIJ office near the airport?

[TwoSailors]

I have no direct experience but I would  go to the DIJ office. Unless anyone else has first hand experience?

This might help... from US Embassy web site:

 Obtain a set of your fingerprints.

• If you already have a fingerprint card, it must not be older than 18 months to be accepted by the FBI

• For new cards, provide the original fingerprint card. Previously processed cards or copies will not be accepted.
• Your name and date of birth must be provided on the fingerprint card. Fingerprints should be placed on a standard fingerprint form (FD-258) http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/standard-fingerprint-form-fd-258  commonly used for applicant or law enforcement purposes.
• Include rolled impressions of all 10 fingerprints and impressions of all 10 fingerprints taken simultaneously (these are sometimes referred to as plain or flat impressions that include both thumbs).

If possible, have your fingerprints taken by a fingerprinting technician. This service may be available at a law enforcement agency.  Taking of fingerprints in Panama is provided by the DIJ (Dirección de Investigación Judicial), located in Ancon, in front of the “Mercado de Abastos”, telephone: 512-2222.

You will then have to take the fingerprint card to the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Relations to authenticate or Apostille the document before sending it to FBI Headquarters so that they will accept it as your fingerprints.

The Ministry authenticates the signatures of all the ministries and official offices in Panama except the Ministry of Government and Justice (Including the Public Ministry - Attorney General, Fiscales, etc.) and the signatures of official public translators. They may be reached at 511-4045 or 511-4046 or at fax 511-4061.  The fee for the authentication is $2.00, and the hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  They are located in the Sun Tower Plaza, Ave. Ricardo J. Alfaro, on the First Floor

[MJ]

Thank you!

[Bud]

Marcelyn and I have a LOT of experience on this subject. Our time frame was the summer of 2015.

There is an office in David that is charged with doing exactly what you are looking for. If you are on the street where the original McDonald's is located, starting in front of that McDonald's, then go to the intersection that is heading toward the InterAmerican Hwy. Turn left, drive slowly, and about 75 feet on the left will be a group of marked parking spaces. Park there. Then look for a double glass door with metal frames toward the rear of that building. There is a sign over the door, but I cannot remember what it says. It is words vaguely to the effect of "criminal investigation ministry", or words to that effect. At the reception area, tell them you need fingerprints, and then wait. You will eventually be escorted (literally, this is a security building) through some very narrow hallways to a door where they do the fingerprints.

All of the above is the good news. The bad news is that they are inefficient (read as ineffective) at getting the fingerprints delivered. Taking of the fingerprints went rather quickly, but then they have to be "processed", which means in PC. We never were able to get our fingerprints delivered to us. We made at least half a dozen trips to that office in David for that sole purpose over the course of several weeks, but only ended getting nowhere at that office as they kept deflecting responsibilities to "someone" other than themselves. Not a pleasant experience, and certainly unproductive. We never got anything from the office in David.

We had a time constraint and so looked elsewhere. Our fingerprints were eventually delivered to us by making a dedicated trip to PC, and going to a DIJ office close to Ancon. Friendly people, etc. it took them about 10 days to finish their work, and we had the fingerprints in hand (play on words intended).

There were some fees to be paid, but minimal. Don't remember exactly, but think in terms of less than $10.00.

P.S., we also needed a "police report", for each of us, and somehow ended up with an email address to send a request to at some office in PC. That office has something to do with government affairs with other countries. The police reports were ready within a week, and cost about $10.00 each as well, including all of the stamps, etc.

Marcelyn says that it was worth the trip to PC, hint, hint.

[MJ]

Thank you! You've saved me lots of time and hassle!

[Ludwig]

Any new updates to this since we are in 2020 thing's change in 4 years