Where Is Permanent Resident Card Number on Green Card

Where the permanent resident card number appears on a current green card

Turn your green card over. On a current Permanent Resident Card, the card number is on the back, inside the long string of characters near the bottom.

Look at the first line of that string. The card number appears there as a 13-character code. It starts with three letters followed by 10 numbers.

For example, it may look like this pattern:

`ABC1234567890`

The letters and numbers may be printed close together, with other card information continuing on the same line. Don’t choose the first number you see on the card. Focus on the first line of the long machine-readable string at the bottom of the back.

> Quick location check:

> Current card: back of the card → bottom area → first line of the long character string → 13-character code.

The exact print style can vary slightly, so the code may not look like a clearly labeled field. That’s why people often mistake the number on the front for the card number.

How to identify the number in the long string on the back

The back of the card contains several lines of letters, numbers, and symbols. This information is made for scanning and machine reading, so it doesn’t always look easy to read with your eyes.

Start at the first line of the long string. The card or document number is the 13-character section that begins with three letters and ends with 10 numbers. Research descriptions place this section around positions 16 through 28 of the first line.

That position can help if you’re counting characters. But don’t rely on counting alone if the print is worn, blurry, or spaced differently. Use the pattern as a second check:

• It is on the back, not normally the front, of a current card.
• It is in the first line of the long string.
• It has 13 characters total.
• It begins with three letters.
• It continues with 10 numbers.

A common mistake is to copy the entire machine-readable line. Most requests asking for the card number want only the card or document number, not every character printed across the back.

The identifiers on your card: what each one means

Your green card can show several numbers. They are connected to your immigration record, but they are not automatically interchangeable.

Card number or document number

The card number is also commonly called the document number or green card number. On current card designs, it is the 13-character code on the back.

This identifies the physical Permanent Resident Card. If a form asks for your card number, document number, or I-551 Permanent Resident Card number, this is generally the number you should look for first.

USCIS number

The USCIS number is a separate 9-digit number shown on the front of the card. It is assigned to you by the Department of Homeland Security.

It identifies you in the immigration system. It does not automatically mean the same thing as the card or document number.

Some forms may ask for the USCIS number specifically. If they do, use the 9-digit number on the front instead of the 13-character code on the back.

Alien Number

“Alien Number” is an older or alternate term that may refer to the immigration identification number connected to a person. It is often written as an A-number, sometimes with an “A” before the digits.

Because labels can vary across forms and card designs, check the wording carefully. A request for an Alien Number or A-number may point to the same type of personal immigration identifier as the USCIS number, while a request for a card number points to the physical card’s document code.

If the form gives its own example or instructions, follow those instructions rather than guessing from the card layout.

Is the 9-digit number on the front the permanent resident card number?

Usually, no.

The 9-digit number on the front is identified as the USCIS number. It is a personal identifier assigned by the Department of Homeland Security.

The permanent resident card number on a current card is the 13-character code on the back. It starts with three letters and then has 10 numbers.

That front-versus-back split is the fastest way to avoid the most common mix-up:

If a website asks for a “green card number” without explaining which one it wants, pause before entering anything. Look for nearby wording such as USCIS number, document number, card number, or A-number.

How many characters or digits are in the card number?

The current card number is described as a 13-character alphanumeric code. “Alphanumeric” means it uses both letters and numbers.

The usual pattern is:

• 3 letters
• 10 numbers
• 13 characters total

So it is not a 13-digit number. The first three characters are letters.

This also explains why the 9-digit number on the front is different. The front number contains digits only, while the current card number includes letters at the beginning.

When copying it, watch for characters that look alike. A worn card can make a letter look like a number. If the code will be used for an important form, compare it with a clear scan or ask the organization requesting it how they want unclear characters handled.

Where the number may appear on older green card designs

Older green cards may not use the same back-of-card layout as current cards. On some older designs, the card number appears on the front, usually near the bottom right.

That means you shouldn’t assume every green card follows the current pattern. The age and design of the card matter.

For an older card, check both sides:

1. Look at the lower-right area on the front.
2. Check the back for a long character string.
3. Look for a 13-character code that starts with three letters and continues with 10 numbers.
4. Compare the location with the exact wording of the form or request.

If the front and back seem to show several possible numbers, don’t pick one based only on its length. Older designs can place information differently, and labels may not match current cards.

Which green card number to use for I-9 forms and airline travel

The right number depends on what the request calls for.

For Form I-9

An employer completing Form I-9 may need information from your Permanent Resident Card. The form or its instructions may distinguish between the card’s document number and your personal USCIS-related number.

If it asks for the document number, use the 13-character code from the back of a current card. If it asks for the USCIS number, use the 9-digit number from the front.

Don’t substitute one just because both appear on the same card. Read the field label first.

For airline travel

Airline websites and check-in desks may ask for a green card number, document number, or card number. In many cases, the request is about the travel document itself, so the code on the back may be the one they mean. But airline forms can use different labels.

Look for an information icon, field description, or help text. If the airline asks for a USCIS number, provide the 9-digit front number instead. If it asks for the document or card number, check the back of the card.

The safest approach is simple: match the name of the requested field to the name or type of number on your card.

What to do if the number is unclear or unreadable

A damaged or faded card can make the code hard to identify. Before entering a guess:

• Use a bright, clear photo or scan of both sides.
• Zoom in, but don’t edit the image in a way that hides marks.
• Check whether the code has three letters followed by 10 numbers.
• Make sure you’re reading the first line of the long string on the back.
• Ask the employer, airline, or agency which identifier their field requires.

If the card itself is badly damaged, avoid sending repeated guesses on an important form. Verify the number with the organization requesting it and follow its instructions for a replacement or another acceptable record.

The key is to identify the request first: card or document number, USCIS number, Alien Number, or another identifier. Verify that wording with the specific form, employer, airline, or official agency before you submit the number.