Key Takeaways
- An A-Number is a permanent 7–9 digit USCIS identifier that tracks your immigration record for life and appears on green cards, EADs, I-797 notices, and immigrant visa stamps.
- The fastest way to locate your A-Number is to check the front of your green card or EAD (labeled “USCIS#”) or the upper-left area of Form I-797 (labeled “A#” or “Alien #”).
- If documents are lost, you can recover your A-Number through your myUSCIS account, prior employer I-9 records, the USCIS Contact Center, a FOIA request, or an in-person field office appointment.
- A-Number, receipt number, and USCIS online account number serve different purposes. Only the A-Number belongs in Section 1 of Form I-9 for lawful permanent residents.
- Need help locating your A-Number or managing your immigration case? Get expert support from Jumpstart Immigration with a one-on-one consultation.
Where To Find Your A-Number On Common Documents
Your existing immigration documents usually hold your A-Number. Check each document carefully and match the labels described below.
Green Card (Form I-551)
On a current Permanent Resident Card issued after May 2010, the A-Number appears on the front of the card, labeled “USCIS#.” On older cards, it may be labeled “Alien #” or “A#.” The separate 13-character Document Number on the back of the card identifies the physical card, not the person, and changes with every renewal. It is distinct from the A-Number.
[Placeholder: Annotated image of green card front showing USCIS# field location — alt text: “Front of Form I-551 green card with USCIS# field highlighted in the top-left area”]
Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766)
On the EAD, both the USCIS A-Number (labeled “USCIS#”) and the separate Card Number appear on the front of the card. The Card Number is a distinct 13-character code. Always read the label so you enter the correct number on forms.
[Placeholder: Annotated image of EAD front showing USCIS# field — alt text: “Front of Form I-766 EAD with USCIS# field highlighted”]
Form I-797 (Notice of Action)
On Form I-797, the A-Number appears near the top or upper-left area, labeled “A#,” “Alien #,” or “A-Number” depending on the notice type. This applies to both approval notices and receipt notices. The 13-character receipt number printed nearby identifies the specific filing and serves a different purpose from your A-Number.
[Placeholder: Annotated image of Form I-797 showing A-Number field location — alt text: “Form I-797 Notice of Action with A-Number field highlighted in the upper-left corner”]
Visa Stamp In Passport
Immigrant visa stamps include the A-Number listed as “Registration Number” in the top-right portion of the stamp. Nonimmigrant visa stamps, including H-1B, F-1, and B-1/B-2, do not contain an A-Number.
[Placeholder: Annotated image of immigrant visa stamp showing Registration Number field — alt text: “Immigrant visa stamp in passport with Registration Number field highlighted”]
Other Documents With A-Numbers
The A-Number may also appear on biometrics appointment notices, immigration court documents, and prior I-9 forms retained by employers. Employers are required to retain I-9 forms for three years after the date of hire or one year after termination, whichever is later, so a former employer may be able to provide a copy if you have no other records.
How To Recover Your A-Number If You Lost It
Many people misplace their documents at some point, yet your A-Number usually remains recoverable. No public online lookup tool exists, so you need to use official channels.
Step 1: Check Your USCIS Online Account
Log in at myUSCIS Account. Your A-Number may appear in your profile or on case details pages. Creating a myUSCIS account is free and takes only a few minutes. You confirm your email and complete two-step verification.
Step 2: Review Past Documents And Employer Records
Check old I-797 notices, expired green cards, EAD cards, or prior I-9 forms. As noted earlier, employers retain I-9s for three years after hire or one year after termination, whichever is later. Contact a former employer’s HR department if you believe they still hold your I-9.
Step 3: Contact The USCIS Contact Center
Call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY: 1-800-767-1833). Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. Have your full legal name, date of birth, and address ready so they can verify your identity.
Step 4: File A FOIA Request
Submit a Freedom of Information Act request through the USCIS FOIA Request portal to obtain a copy of your immigration A-file, which contains your A-Number. The request requires your full legal name, date of birth, country of birth, and an uploaded identity document with a signed identity-verification statement. Processing often takes several weeks or longer.
Step 5: Request An In-Person Appointment
If other methods do not work, contact the USCIS Contact Center to schedule an in-person appointment at a local field office. Bring all available identity documents to help the officer locate your record.
No public database or online tool allows you to look up an A-Number by name. Official USCIS and government channels provide the only reliable recovery options.
A-Number, USCIS Case Number, And Receipt Number Compared
Each immigration number on your documents serves a specific role. Use this side-by-side comparison to keep them straight.
| Number Type | What It Identifies | Typical Format | Where To Find It |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-Number | The person (permanent, lifetime) | 7–9 digits, sometimes with “A” prefix (e.g., A123456789) | Green card, EAD, I-797, immigrant visa stamp |
| Receipt Number | A specific filing for tracking purposes | 13 characters: 3 letters + 10 digits (e.g., IOE0912345678) | I-797C receipt notice, upper-left corner |
| USCIS Online Account Number | A myUSCIS digital account profile | 12 digits (e.g., 111222333444) | myUSCIS account profile or USCIS Account Access Notice |
The A-Number stays with you for life, while receipt and case numbers change with every filing. Only the A-Number belongs in Section 1 of Form I-9 for lawful permanent residents. Entering a receipt number or online account number in that field ranks among the most common and costly I-9 errors.
How Your A-Number Relates To Case Status
USCIS does not allow online case status checks using an A-Number. An A-Number cannot be used to check case status online with USCIS systems. You need the receipt number from the I-797C Notice of Action USCIS mailed when they accepted your application. Use the USCIS Case Status Online tool with that receipt number.
One exception applies to immigration court cases. If you have a pending matter before an immigration judge, you can check its status using your A-Number and nationality through the EOIR Automated Case Information System. ACIS displays information about the most recent case associated with an A-Number and is available in both English and Spanish.
Is My A-Number Public? Privacy And Security
A-Numbers are protected under federal law and are not publicly searchable. Only USCIS, authorized government agencies such as CBP and ICE, and the individual themselves can access an A-Number. No private individual or company can look up an A-Number without the individual’s authorization.
Sharing an A-Number publicly or over unsecured channels can expose someone to privacy risks and possible misuse, including identity-related fraud or record tampering. USCIS will never call or email you asking for your A-Number. Treat any unsolicited request for this number as a potential scam.
Employers may see your A-Number during the I-9 employment verification process when examining a green card or EAD, which is normal and legally required. However, wrong or missing immigration identifiers in Section 1 of Form I-9 can constitute substantive violations, with paperwork penalties ranging from $288 to $2,861 per form under the March 2026 ICE fact sheet.
When To Seek Professional Help
Locating your A-Number usually feels simple, yet the immigration process that depends on it can feel overwhelming. When you apply for a green card, renew your EAD, or navigate an employer petition, small mistakes can trigger delays or denials. Jumpstart Immigration highlights a 98% approval rate and completes cases several times faster than the market average, backed by a 100% refund policy if a case is denied.
Ready to move forward with your case? Book a consultation with Jumpstart Immigration today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Does A USCIS A-Number Look Like?
A USCIS A-Number is 7–9 digits long and typically appears with an “A” prefix, for example A123456789 or A012345678. On newer green cards and EAD cards, it is printed without the “A” prefix under the label “USCIS#,” so 123456789 and A123456789 represent the same number. When entering it on Form I-9, keep all leading zeros, because A012345678 and A12345678 count as different numbers in E-Verify.
Is An A-Number The Same As A USCIS Number?
Yes. “USCIS#” printed on newer green cards and EAD cards refers to the same identifier as the A-Number, just without the “A” prefix. USCIS transitioned to the “USCIS#” label on documents issued after approximately 2010, while the underlying number format remained the same. If your card shows USCIS# 123456789, your A-Number is A123456789.
Do I Need An A-Number For Form I-9?
Your need for an A-Number on Form I-9 depends on your immigration status. Lawful permanent residents and conditional residents must enter their Alien Registration Number (A-Number) in Section 1 of Form I-9. Asylees and refugees select “noncitizen authorized to work” instead of entering an A-Number.
Not every authorized worker has an A-Number. Individuals who have never filed with USCIS may lack one, and leaving the field blank or writing “N/A” is correct in that situation. In Section 2, employers record the document number from the physical card, which is the 13-character Document Number on the back of the green card, rather than the A-Number.
What If I Find An Error On My A-Number?
Contact USCIS immediately if you suspect an A-Number error. A-Number discrepancies between documents, such as two different numbers appearing on separate filings, may result from clerical mistakes or rare cases of multiple A-Number assignments. These problems can cause E-Verify mismatches, application delays, or denials.
Pause new applications until the discrepancy is resolved. Call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 or consult an immigration attorney to initiate a correction.
Can I Check My Green Card Status With My A-Number?
USCIS requires a receipt number, not an A-Number, for online case status checks. Your receipt number is the 13-character code, with three letters followed by 10 digits, printed on the I-797C Notice of Action USCIS mailed when your application was accepted. If you have an immigration court case, you can use your A-Number and nationality to check its status through the EOIR Automated Case Information System at acis.eoir.justice.gov. For all USCIS filings, locate your receipt number on your I-797C notice first.
Have questions about your immigration case? Book a consultation with Jumpstart Immigration today.
