Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for verifying the fingerprint of the bearer of a card by comparing the fingerprint of the bearer with the fingerprint of the person to whom the card is issued. First a negative of the fingerprint of the person to whom the card is issued is imprinted with reflective material in a transparent region of the card. By placing the card on a surface with the transparent region over a window, a beam of light is directed at the transparent region through the window for reflection of light back to a circuit where the level of reflected light is detected. Upon placing the finger of the bearer of the card over the imprinted negative fingerprint with proper registration for matching the fingerprint of the bearer with the imprinted negative fingerprint, the level of reflection is increased. A match is verified by observing a predetermined minimum level of reflection of light from the imprinted negative fingerprint and the fingerprint of the bearer.