Where Can I Find My Alien Registration Number

You're filling out a form. Maybe it's an I-485, an I-765, or something for a driver's license renewal. Think about it: you hit the field asking for your "A-Number" or "Alien Registration Number" and your mind goes blank. On top of that, you know you have one. You've seen it before. But where?

It's not on your passport. It's not your Social Security number. And if you're like most people, you've got a folder somewhere — or a drawer, or a shoebox — with a mix of immigration paperwork that you haven't looked at in years.

Here's the short version: your A-Number is on almost every official immigration document USCIS has ever issued you. The trick is knowing which document you actually have in hand right now.

What Is an Alien Registration Number

An Alien Registration Number — usually called an A-Number — is a unique seven-, eight-, or nine-digit identifier assigned to you by U.That said, think of it like a Social Security number for your immigration file. Citizenship and Immigration Services (or the legacy INS, if your case goes back far enough). S. It stays with you for life, across every petition, application, and status change.

It usually looks like this: A12 345 678 or A123 456 789. Sometimes the "A" is printed on the form and you only write the digits. Sometimes you write the whole thing including the letter.

The number doesn't change when you get a new Green Card. It doesn't change when you naturalize — though after naturalization, you'll mostly use your Certificate of Naturalization number instead. But the A-Number never goes away. It's the thread tying your entire immigration history together.

Who Gets One

Almost anyone who interacts with the U.S. immigration system in a way that creates a file gets an A-Number.

Lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders)
Asylum applicants and refugees
People in removal proceedings
Certain nonimmigrant visa holders who file for benefits (like work authorization)
DACA recipients
TPS beneficiaries
Some parolees

Tourists on B-1/B-2 visas typically don't get one unless they file an application that creates a record. Students on F-1 visas usually don't have one unless they've applied for OPT, a change of status, or another benefit.

Why It Matters

You'll need your A-Number for almost every immigration form going forward. Consider this: i-485 (adjustment of status), I-765 (work permit), I-130 (petition for relative), I-90 (Green Card renewal), N-400 (naturalization) — they all ask for it. If you leave it blank or guess wrong, USCIS will reject the filing or send a Request for Evidence that adds months to your case.

It's also how USCIS pulls up your file when you call the contact center, check case status online, or show up for a biometrics appointment. Lose track of it, and you're not locked out — but you'll waste time proving who you are.

Employers sometimes ask for it during I-9 verification if you're using a Green Card or EAD as your List A document. Some state DMVs want it for Real ID compliance. It shows up in background checks for certain licenses.

In short: it's the key to your immigration identity. Treat it like you treat your SSN — don't post it publicly, don't email it unencrypted, but know where to find it when you need it.

Where to Find Your A-Number

This is the part most people actually came for. The document you have in front of you determines exactly where to look.

Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

Current design (issued after May 2017): Flip the card over. On the back, in the top left area under the barcode, you'll see "USCIS#" followed by a 9-digit number. That's your A-Number. The "A" isn't printed — just the digits.

Older design (2010–2017): Also on the back. Look for "USCIS#" near the top. Same format.

Very old cards (pre-2010): Some show "A#" or "Alien Registration Number" on the front, near the photo or along the bottom. If you're still carrying one of these, it's expired and you need to file I-90 anyway — but the number is still valid.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD / Work Permit)

Current design (issued after May 2017): Front of the card, right side, under "Card#" — you'll see "USCIS#" with a 9-digit number. That's it.

Older design (2011–2017): Front of the card, labeled "USCIS#" or sometimes "A#" near the bottom.

Pre-2011 cards: Varied. Look for "A#" or "Alien Reg #" — usually on the front.

Form I-797 (Notice of Action / Approval Notice)

This is where it gets messy because there are many* types of I-797. But most approval notices for petitions (I-130, I-140, I-129) and applications (I-485, I-765, I-539) show the beneficiary's A-Number in the top right corner of the first page, under "Receipt Number" or near the USCIS office address.

Look for a box labeled:

"A-Number"
"Alien Registration Number"
"Beneficiary A#"

If you have an I-797C (receipt notice), it might not have the A-Number yet — especially if it's the very first filing that created your record. The A-Number often appears on the next* notice (biometrics appointment, approval, or RFE).

Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)

If you entered the U.gov. The printout shows "Admission Number" (11 digits) — that's not your A-Number. So s. dhs.Because of that, cbp. Pull it up at i94.after 2013, your I-94 is electronic. But if you were issued an A-Number at the border (common for refugees, asylees, certain parolees), it may appear in the "Alien Registration Number" field on the printout.

Paper I-94s (white card stapled in passport, mostly pre-2013): Check the back. Sometimes handwritten. Sometimes stamped.

Immigrant Visa (in Your Passport)

If you entered on an immigrant visa (IV), the visa foil in your passport has a "Registration Number" field — usually top right. Day to day, that's your A-Number. It's often 8 digits with an "A" prefix printed on the visa.

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Form I-551 Stamp (Temporary Evidence of Permanent Residence)

If you're waiting for your physical Green Card and got an I-551 stamp in your passport (ADIT stamp), the A-Number is written right on the stamp, usually labeled "A#" or "Alien Reg #."

Form I-766 (EAD)

Form I-766 (EAD) — Additional Details

Current design (issued after May 2017): The EAD card is a credit-card-sized document. On the front, look in the top-right section under the "Card#" label. You'll see "USCIS#" followed by a 9-digit number. For most EAD holders, this 9-digit number is your A-Number. On the flip side, some EADs issued to applicants who do not yet have an A-Number (such as certain asylum applicants before their A-Number was assigned) may show a different USCIS-generated receipt or case number instead. If the number starts with letters or is longer than 9 digits, it's likely a receipt number, not your A-Number.

Older designs (2011–2017 and pre-2011): Earlier EAD cards sometimes listed the A-Number more prominently on the front face, labeled as "A#." If your card predates 2011, check both the front and back. Some older cards had the number embedded in barcode data as well.

DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Status)

The DS-2019 form is issued by a designated sponsoring organization for J-1 exchange visitors. So an A-Number is typically assigned only if you apply for a benefit (such as a work permit or adjustment of status) while in the United States. On the flip side, many J-1 entrants — particularly those on short-term exchanges — do not have an A-Number at all. Even so, your A-Number, if you have one, may appear in the "Foreign National ID Number" field on page one of the form. If your DS-2019 has a number in the SEVIS ID field (starting with "N" followed by digits), that is your SEVIS number, not your A-Number.

Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for F-1/M-1 Status)

Similar to the DS-2019, the I-20 is issued by a SEVP-certified school. If an A-Number is present on the I-20, it will typically appear in the student's biographical information section, labeled as "A-Number" or "Alien Registration Number.Now, f-1 and M-1 students generally do not receive an A-Number unless they apply for employment authorization or adjust status during their studies. " The SEVIS ID (beginning with "N") on the I-20 is a separate identifier and should not be confused with the A-Number.

Social Security Records

While

While the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not print the A‑Number on the physical Social Security card, it is often recorded in the agency’s internal systems and may appear on official correspondence, benefit statements, or online account details.

Where to look for it on SSA documents

Benefit award letters – These notices (often labeled “Notice of Benefit Award” or “Social Security Statement”) sometimes list the A‑Number in the “Alien Registration Number” field, usually near the top of the page.
Online My Social Security account – After logging in with your personal credentials, handle to the “My Profile” or “Personal Information” section. Some users will see the A‑Number listed under “Immigration Status” or “Alien Registration Number.”
IRS correspondence – When the SSA shares your earnings data with the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes, the A‑Number may appear on Form 1099‑SSA or on certain IRS notices.

How to retrieve the number if it’s not visible

Log into My Social Security – If you have not already created an account, click “Create an Account,” provide your personal details, and verify your identity through the SSA’s secure verification process.
Check the “Benefits & Earnings” report – This detailed report lists all earnings and may include the A‑Number in the contact information block.
Contact SSA directly – Call the SSA’s automated service line at 1‑800‑772‑1212 (TTY 1‑800‑325‑0778) and ask for a copy of your Social Security record. After identity verification, the representative can confirm whether an A‑Number is linked to your record and provide it in writing.

Other official documents that may contain the A‑Number

Driver’s license or state ID – In many states, the A‑Number is entered into the DMV system when you apply for a license using immigration documents. It may appear on the card’s back or in the DMV’s internal records.
U.S. passport – While a passport itself does not display the A‑Number, the electronic passport data (the “Machine Readable Zone”) may include it for visa‑issuing purposes.
Military or veterans’ records – Service members who are non‑citizens often have their A‑Number recorded in personnel files for benefits eligibility.

Key takeaways

The A‑Number is a permanent identifier assigned by USCIS and, once issued, stays with you regardless of immigration status changes.
It may not be visible on every document you receive, but it is typically embedded in the underlying data of most official forms, stamps, and electronic records.
If you need to prove your A‑Number for employment, banking, or tax purposes, start with the most accessible sources (EAD, I‑551 stamp, or Social Security account) and expand to other records only if those do not contain the number.

Conclusion
Finding your A‑Number can feel like a scavenger hunt, but by systematically checking the documents most likely to display it—your I‑551 stamp, EAD card, DS‑2019, I‑20, Social Security records, and state IDs—you’ll have a reliable roadmap. Remember that the A‑Number is a lifelong identifier that ties together your immigration history, work authorization, and many aspects of daily life in the United States. Keep a copy of any document where it appears, store it safely, and retain access to your online accounts. Should you ever encounter a situation where the number is missing, a quick call to USCIS or the SSA can provide the confirmation you need, ensuring you stay in compliance and avoid unnecessary delays. With this guide, you’re now equipped to locate and manage your A‑Number confidently, no matter which immigration document you’re reviewing.