Key Takeaways
- The USCIS number and A-Number (Alien Registration Number) are the same identifier. Newer cards use the label “USCIS#.”
- Enter your A-Number as digits only on forms like I-9, I-765, and I-485 to avoid RFEs and delays.
- Your A-Number is permanent and different from your receipt number, USCIS Online Account Number, SSN, and I-94.
- Find your A-Number on the front of your green card or EAD, on I-797 notices, or in your myUSCIS profile.
- Need help with forms and numbers? Book a consultation with Jumpstart Immigration and work with a team that reports a 94% approval rate and a 100% refund guarantee.
How the USCIS Number and A-Number Match
The Alien Registration Number (A-Number) is a unique identifier for noncitizens in the U.S. immigration system. On modern green cards and work permits, this same number appears as “USCIS#.” The label changed, but the identifier did not.
USCIS updated card designs and shifted to the “USCIS#” label on newer documents. The underlying A-Number still stays with you for life across renewals, replacements, and naturalization. The A-Number remains your permanent immigration file number. It usually has 7, 8, or 9 digits.
How the USCIS Number Differs From Other Immigration Numbers
Immigration documents contain several different numbers, and each one serves a specific purpose. The table below separates them clearly.
The receipt number changes with every filing and tracks a single case. The USCIS Online Account Number connects to your online profile. The SSN comes from a different agency and supports tax and benefits. Only the A-Number stays with you across every filing and status change.
How To Handle the “A” Prefix and Short A-Numbers
The A-Number often appears with an “A” prefix, such as A-123-456-789. The “A” acts as a label and does not belong to the numeric value. When a form asks for your A-Number, enter digits only and remove the “A” and hyphens. For example, A-123-456-789 becomes 123456789.
Some older A-Numbers contain only 7 or 8 digits. If a form requires 9 digits, add leading zeros after the “A.” For example, A-1234567 becomes A-001234567. This approach follows standard USCIS practice and does not signal an error.
USCIS confirms that A-Numbers can have 7, 8, or 9 digits. A shorter number on an older document still counts as valid.
Where To Find Your A-Number on Common Documents
Your A-Number appears on several immigration documents, but the label can change by document type and year.
- Green Card (Form I-551): Front of the card, labeled “USCIS#” on newer cards or “Alien #” on older ones. The 13-character Document Number on the back is a different identifier.
- Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766): Front of the card, labeled “USCIS#”. The Card Number nearby is separate and used in Section 2 of Form I-9.
- Notice of Action (Form I-797): Upper area of the notice, near your name and case details, labeled “A#” or “Alien Registration Number”.
- Immigrant Visa Stamp: Top-right corner of the visa foil, listed as “Registration Number”. Nonimmigrant visas such as H‑1B, F‑1, or B‑1/B‑2 do not show an A-Number.
If you lost your documents, you still have options. Log in to your myUSCIS account at myaccount.uscis.gov, review prior I-797 notices, or submit a FOIA request with Form G-639. FOIA responses often take eight weeks or more.
USCIS Online Account Number vs A-Number
The USCIS Online Account Number connects to your myUSCIS digital profile. It does not replace your A-Number and does not represent your immigration file.
Many forms, including I-765, I-485, and N-400, contain an optional field for the Online Account Number. If you do not have one, leave the field blank or write “N/A”. USCIS will still process your case normally.
To find your Online Account Number, log in to myaccount.uscis.gov, open your profile, and look for “USCIS Online Account Number.” Do not enter your A-Number or receipt number in this field. Incorrect entries can cause delays or RFEs.
Numbers Often Confused With the USCIS A-Number
Several other identifiers look similar to the A-Number but serve different roles. Keep them separate when you complete forms.
- Social Security Number: The SSN comes from the Social Security Administration and supports tax and employment reporting. Do not enter it in A-Number fields.
- Receipt Number: Receipt numbers such as IOE1234567890 track individual applications. Your A-Number stays the same across filings.
- Passport Number: Your home country issues your passport, and that number does not connect to your USCIS record.
- I-94 Admission Number: The 11-digit I-94 number tracks a single entry into the United States. It does not function as a permanent identifier.
- U.S. Citizens: Only noncitizens receive an A-Number. Naturalized citizens keep an A-Number in their historical records but rarely need it.
What To Enter on I-9, I-765, I-485, and Online Accounts
Correctly matching each number to each field prevents RFEs, mismatches, and employer penalties.
- Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification): In Section 1, lawful permanent residents enter their A-Number or USCIS Number as digits only. The Section 2 document number field uses the Document Number from the card, not the A-Number.
- Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization): Enter your A-Number in the A-Number field if you already have one. First-time applicants without an A-Number can leave this field blank, and USCIS will assign a number.
- USCIS Online Account Creation: When you create a myUSCIS account, you may see a field for your A-Number. Enter it to connect your online profile to your immigration record. The Online Account Number field on forms remains separate and optional.
- Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status): Your A-Number appears at the top of each page. Enter it the same way, as digits only, throughout the form.
One frequent and expensive mistake involves copying the wrong number. Some employers copy the receipt number from an I-797 instead of the USCIS number from the card or drop leading zeros. A card that shows A-012345678 does not match 12345678 in E‑Verify. Incorrect I-9 entries can trigger paperwork penalties from $288 to $2,861 per form under 2026 guidelines.
Careful handling of these details supports smoother processing for O‑1 visas, EB‑2 NIW green cards, and EAD renewals. Book a consultation with Jumpstart Immigration and let a focused team manage the forms accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions About USCIS Numbers
How Can I Find My USCIS A-Number If I Lost My Green Card?
Start with your most recent I-797 notices, where the A-Number appears near the top of each Notice of Action. You can also sign in to your myUSCIS account at myaccount.uscis.gov and check your profile. If those options do not work, call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. As a final step, file a FOIA request using Form G-639 and expect a wait of at least eight weeks.
Is the USCIS Number the Same as My Social Security Number?
The USCIS number, or A-Number, functions as your permanent immigration identifier from the Department of Homeland Security. The Social Security Number comes from the Social Security Administration and supports tax, employment, and benefits. These identifiers come from different agencies and should not replace each other on any form.
Do I Have a USCIS Number If I Am a U.S. Citizen?
The A-Number belongs only to noncitizens in the U.S. immigration system. Naturalized citizens keep an A-Number in their historical immigration records but rarely need it after naturalization. People born as U.S. citizens never receive an A-Number.
What If My A-Number Has Only 8 Digits?
Some older A-Numbers contain 7 or 8 digits instead of 9. If a form requires 9 digits, add leading zeros after the “A.” For example, A-1234567 becomes A-001234567, and A-12345678 becomes A-012345678. This method follows USCIS practice and does not signal a problem with your documents. Always keep leading zeros when entering your number in any system, including E‑Verify.
Can I Check My Case Status With My A-Number?
The USCIS Case Status tool at egov.uscis.gov uses your 13-character receipt number from your I-797 Notice of Action. The tool does not accept an A-Number. The receipt number follows a pattern of three letters and ten digits, such as IOE1234567890. Your A-Number identifies you as a person, and the receipt number identifies a specific case.
Get Your USCIS Number Details Correct
The USCIS number and A-Number describe the same identifier, and correct entry on each form prevents delays and RFEs. You also protect your case by handling the “A” prefix correctly and keeping it separate from your receipt number, Online Account Number, and SSN.
Immigration forms contain many small but critical details. Expert review can protect your timeline and your status. Jumpstart Immigration reports service to more than 1,250 clients, a 94% approval rate, and a 100% refund guarantee that includes USCIS government fees if your visa is denied. The firm states that it processes cases three to four times faster than the market. Book a consultation today and let a dedicated team handle the details.