Overview
In additional to using a standard flatbed scanner connected to a computer, you also can use the camera on your smartphone or tablet to scan the documents you need to complete your application with CDE.
Free and low-cost scanning apps are available from sites such as the Google Play and Apple iTunes App stores. Once you've accessed the appropriate app store for your device, search for "scanner" and select the product that meets your needs.
Scanning with a Smartphone or Tablet
While each app works in a slightly different manner, the basic steps to scanning and sharing documents is essentially the same for all scanning apps. They are:
- Download and install the scanner app of your choice.
- Tap the scanning app on your device to open it.
- Place the document to be scanned on a flat, nonreflective surface.
- Take a photo (scan) the document using the scanning app.
- Follow the directions in the app to email the scanned image to the computer you'll use when you complete the online application.
- Remember, you cannot complete your online application using a phone or tablet. CDE does not support these devices at this time.
- Therefore, you'll need to email the resulting scanned document from your mobile device to a computer, so you can access it when you complete the online application.
Scanning with a Flatbed Scanner Connected to a Computer
Scanning documents using a flatbed scanner is similar to creating photocopies:
- Place the document on the scanner face-down.
- Use the software included with the scanner to start the scanning process.
- Save each file separately as a PDF or an image file (such as a .jpg or .png format).
Note that if you don't have a scanner available at home, you may be able to scan your documents at a local library. In that case, save the scanned documents to a portable USB drive (or, if available, email them from the public computer to your personal computer), so you can access them later as you complete the online application.
Important note: If you're using a public computer, prevent ID theft by always deleting any files that contain pesonal information before you log off.
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