Where Is the Alien Number on Permanent Resident Card

If a form asks for your alien number, A-Number, or USCIS number, start with the front of your Permanent Resident Card. Find the 9-digit number next to the label “USCIS#.” That is the number most forms mean by the alien number.

Your Permanent Resident Card is also called a green card or Form I-551. The card includes several numbers, so checking the label matters. The USCIS# is different from the card number on the back, and it is not the same as your Social Security number.

Find the alien number on the front of your Permanent Resident Card

Turn the card to the front side. Look for the field labeled:

USCIS#

The number beside that label has nine numerical digits. That is the alien number commonly used on immigration, employment, and government forms.

A quick lookup looks like this:

1. Use the front of the card.
2. Find USCIS#.
3. Copy the 9-digit number beside it.
4. Enter it only in the form field that asks for your alien number, A-Number, or USCIS number.

Do not choose a number just because it is printed prominently or appears near the top of the card. The label is your best guide.

Look for the USCIS# or older Alien # label

Newer Permanent Resident Cards generally show the number under the USCIS# label. Older cards may use a different label:

Alien #

Both labels point to the number commonly called the Alien Registration Number. You may also see the terms A-Number, A#, or AR# on paperwork. These names refer to the same type of identifying number used for the person.

The number itself is nine digits. Copy all nine digits carefully. Avoid adding spaces, hyphens, or letters unless the form specifically tells you to format the number that way.

The safest approach is simple: match the wording on the form to the wording on the card. If the form says “USCIS Number,” use the number next to USCIS#. If it says “Alien Registration Number” or “A-Number,” that is generally the same 9-digit number.

How the alien number appears on newer and older green cards

The card design can vary depending on when it was issued. That is why two green card holders may see different labels while looking for the same number.

On a newer card, look for:

• USCIS#
• A 9-digit number next to that label

On an older card, look for:

• Alien #
• A 9-digit number next to that label

The exact placement, fonts, and other printed details may look different from one card version to another. Don’t rely only on where the number sits. Focus on the label.

The number may also be printed on the back of the card. That can be useful if the front is hard to read, but the back contains other card information too. Use the number connected to the USCIS or Alien label, not simply any number you find.

Alien number, USCIS number, and A-Number: are they the same?

For the purpose of identifying the number on your green card, these terms point to the same 9-digit number:

• Alien number
• Alien Registration Number
• A-Number
• USCIS Number
• USCIS#
• Alien # on some older cards

A USCIS Number is a unique 9-digit number assigned to an individual by the Department of Homeland Security. On a Permanent Resident Card, it appears in the field marked USCIS#. Older cards may show Alien # instead.

So, if a form asks, “Is your USCIS number the same as your Alien Number?” the card-based answer is generally yes. Look for the 9-digit USCIS# or Alien # number.

Still, read the form’s instructions if it asks for more than one immigration number. Forms can request several different details, and the names may look similar.

Alien number versus the green card number or document number

This is where many people enter the wrong number.

The alien number identifies you. It is the 9-digit number shown with the USCIS# label, or with Alien # on some older cards.

The card number, also called the document number in some paperwork, identifies the Permanent Resident Card itself. The card number is located on the back of the card.

Here is the label-by-label difference:

The two numbers serve different purposes. If a form asks for the alien number, don’t substitute the card number from the back. If it asks for the document or card number, don’t automatically enter your USCIS#.

Can you find the number on the back of the card?

Yes. The alien number is also printed on the back of the Permanent Resident Card.

That does not mean every number on the back is your alien number. The back also contains the card number, which is a separate number tied to the card.

Use this quick check:

• Need the alien number? Find the 9-digit number connected to USCIS# or Alien #.
• Need the card number? Look on the back for the number identified as the card number.
• Not sure which one the form wants? Match the form’s exact wording to the label on the card.

If the card is worn, damaged, or difficult to read, compare the front and back carefully. Don’t guess based on the number’s position alone.

Is the alien number the same as your Social Security number?

No. The alien number and Social Security number are different numbers.

Your alien number is the 9-digit number labeled USCIS# or Alien # on the Permanent Resident Card. A Social Security number is a separate identifier. The card label does not call the alien number an SSN.

If a form asks for both, enter them in their separate fields:

• Alien number, A-Number, or USCIS number: Use the number from the green card’s USCIS# or Alien # field.
• Social Security number or SSN: Use the number requested in the SSN field.

Do not treat the two numbers as interchangeable. If you’re unsure which number a form wants, check the field name rather than choosing the number that looks easiest to find.

What to check before entering the number on a form

Before you submit the form, run through this short check:

1. Read the field name. Does it ask for an alien number, USCIS number, A-Number, card number, document number, or SSN?
2. Match the label on your card. For the alien number, look for USCIS# or older Alien #.
3. Count the digits. The alien number has nine numerical digits.
4. Check the side of the card. The alien number is shown on the front and may also appear on the back. The card number is on the back.
5. Copy the number exactly. Watch for skipped or repeated digits.
6. Keep separate numbers separate. Your USCIS number, card number, and Social Security number should not be swapped.

The easiest way to avoid a mistake is to match the label and number on your card with the exact field requested by the form you’re completing.