A green card number is a unique identification number used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to track your immigration case before the actual card is issued. While the green card itself might seem simple at first glance, flipping it over reveals a lot of important information, including your green card number.
Where Is the Green Card Number Located?
The green card number, also known as the receipt number or permanent resident number, is located on the back of the card, in the first line of a 90-character string. Find the green card number in the last 13 characters of the first line. It will be followed by two space holders represented by “less than” symbols (<<).
To be precise, the green card number starts at the 16th character and goes to the 28th character, followed by the “>>” symbols.
What Does the Green Card Number Format Look Like?
The first line of the 90-character string begins with either C1 or C2, which indicates your residency status. Here’s what the codes mean:
- C1: Long-term permanent resident in the U.S.
- C2: Permanent resident commuter (for people living in Canada or Mexico)
Next, the string includes:
- 3 letters representing the country of residence, usually USA for U.S. residents.
- Digits 6-15 represent the alien number (A-number), a unique ID assigned to all immigrants.
Then, the green card number follows, and it includes a 3-letter service center code. The service center code indicates which USCIS center handled your case. Some examples of these codes are:
- CSC: California Service Center
- EAC: Eastern Adjudication Center (now Vermont Service Center)
- LIN: Lincoln Service Center (now Nebraska Service Center)
- MSC: Missouri Service Center (now National Benefits Center)
- NBC: National Benefits Center
- NSC: Nebraska Service Center
- TSC: Texas Service Center
- VSC: Vermont Service Center
- YSC: Potomac Service Center
After the service center code, you’ll see two digits representing the fiscal year the case was received. The U.S. government’s fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30, so for example, a case received on October 15, 2019 would have a fiscal year code of 20.
Following that, three digits represent the workday of the year when the case was processed. These digits are based on the number of weekdays in the year (excluding weekends and holidays).
Finally, the last 5 digits are your unique immigrant case number — the number assigned to your case when it was approved.
Example of a Green Card Number Format
Here’s how the green card number is typically formatted:
- NBC2004551423: This example shows that the National Benefits Center handled the case, USCIS received it in fiscal year 2020, on the 45th workday, and the unique case number is 51423.
What’s on the Rest of the Card?
Besides the green card number, the other lines on the card contain important information:
- The second line includes your birth date (in year-month-day format), gender, card expiration date, and your country of birth.
- The third line contains your full name, your father’s and mother’s initials, and other personal details.
Information included in the alien number on my green card
The Alien Registration Number (A-Number) is a unique identification number assigned to non-citizens by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It serves as a critical identifier throughout an immigrant’s interaction with the U.S. immigration system. Here’s what you need to know about the A-Number, including where to find it on your Green Card.
What Information Is Included in the A-Number?
- Format: The A-number typically consists of seven to nine digits, often prefixed by the letter “A” (e.g., A123456789). If the number has fewer than nine digits, you can format it as a nine-digit number by adding a zero after the “A” (e.g., A012345678).
- Purpose: The A-Number is used by USCIS to track your immigration files, applications, and petitions throughout your life in the U.S. It remains constant regardless of changes in your immigration status or applications.
- Lifespan: Your A-number remains valid for life. USCIS assigns it once and uses it for all future immigration-related processes, including applications for benefits or renewals.
Where to Find Your A-Number on Your Green Card
- Front of the Card: The A-Number is often labeled as “USCIS#” on the front side of your Green Card. It is typically located in the lower right corner.
- Back of the Card: You may also find your A-Number printed on the back of the Green Card, along with other identifying information.
Additional Locations for Your A-Number
If you can’t locate your A-Number on your Green Card, check other immigration documents, where you can also find it, such as:
Approval Notices: Any notices or letters from USCIS regarding your immigration status may also contain your A-Number
Immigrant Visa Stamp: Located under “Registration Number” on your visa stamp in your passport.
Work Permit: If you have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), your A-Number will be included there.
How can I verify if my green card number is valid?
To verify if your green card number is valid, you can follow several methods provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here’s a structured approach:
1. Check Online
The most efficient way to verify your green card status is through the USCIS website:
- Visit the USCIS Case Status Online page.
- Enter your Receipt Number: Find this number, which consists of three letters followed by ten numbers (e.g., ABC1234567891), on Form I-797C (Notice of Action) that you received when USCIS accepted your application.
- Click “Check Status.” This will provide you with the current status of your green card application.
2. Verify by Phone
You can also check your green card status over the phone:
- For applications made within the U.S.: Call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. Have your full name, date of birth, and Receipt Number ready.
- For applications made outside the U.S.: Call the National Visa Center (NVC) at (+1) 603-334-0700 and provide similar information.
3. In-Person Appointment
If you prefer a personal touch, you can schedule an in-person appointment at a local USCIS office:
- Use the USCIS InfoPass system to schedule an appointment.
- Bring necessary documents, including your Receipt Number, to the appointment.
4. Check by Mail or Email
- By Mail: You can send a written request to USCIS for information regarding your green card status.
- By Email: If you applied from outside the U.S., you can use an online form to request status updates via email.
Understanding Your Green Card Number
Your green card number is essentially your Receipt Number, which is critical for tracking your application. It is unique to your case and must be kept secure. You can find it in official correspondence from USCIS related to your application.
Your green card number is a key part of your identification as a U.S. permanent resident. It helps USCIS track your case and immigration status. If you need assistance with your immigration process, Law and Visas is here to guide you every step of the way! Reach out for expert support in navigating your green card journey.
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