Where Is the Green Card Number Located

The green card number is usually on the back of the Permanent Resident Card, not on the front. On current cards, look at the machine-readable area near the bottom. The number is found in the first line, where it appears as the last 13 characters.

That number may be called the card number, document number, or green card number, depending on the form you are completing.

The front of the card has another number that often causes confusion: the 9-digit USCIS number. It identifies you, but it is not the same as the 13-character card number.

Where the green card number is located

Turn the card over and look near the bottom. You should see a long block of letters, numbers, and symbols. This is the machine-readable zone, or MRZ. It is designed so machines can scan the card.

For cards issued after May 2010, the green card number is typically in this area. More precisely, it is in the first line of the machine-readable zone, at the end of that line.

Here is the quick front-versus-back guide:

If a form asks for your green card number, it generally means the 13-character number on the back.

You don't need to share or upload your full card number to identify where it is. Just compare the location and label with the field on your form.

How to identify the 13-character number on the back

Find the long, machine-readable text at the bottom of the back of the card. Start with the first line. The green card number is the last 13 characters on that line.

The number is described as a 13-character alphanumeric code. “Alphanumeric” simply means it can contain both letters and numbers.

A format illustration might look like this:

`ABC1234567890`

That is only a made-up pattern to show the length. It is not a real card number, and the exact mix of letters and numbers can vary.

When reading the code, watch for characters that look alike:

• The letter O and the number 0
• The letter I and the number 1
• The letter B and the number 8
• The letter S and the number 5

Use the characters exactly as they appear. Don't remove letters, add spaces, or copy the 9-digit number from the front by mistake.

Some forms use card number. Others say document number or Permanent Resident Card number. In this context, those labels usually point to the same 13-character code on the back.

Green card number versus the 9-digit USCIS number

The front and back numbers serve different purposes.

The USCIS number is a unique 9-digit number shown on the front of the card. It is tied to the person who holds the card.

The green card number, also called the card or document number, is the 13-character code on the back. It identifies the card document.

A simple way to keep them straight:

• 9 digits on the front: USCIS number
• 13 characters on the back: green card or document number

So, if an online form asks for a USCIS number, look at the front. If it asks for a green card number, card number, or document number, look at the back.

This front-versus-back check is more reliable than guessing from the numbers alone. Both may appear on the same card, but they are not interchangeable.

Are the green card number and alien number the same?

No. The green card number and the alien number are separate identifiers.

The green card number is the 13-character code on the back of the card. The alien number, often called an A-number, is an individual identifier. It is commonly associated with the 9-digit USCIS number shown on the front.

That means you should not use the back-of-card number when a form specifically asks for:

• An alien number
• An A-number
• A USCIS number

Likewise, don't enter the 9-digit USCIS number when a form asks for the card or document number.

The wording on a form matters. Read the field name carefully before entering anything.

Which number to enter for Form I-9

For Form I-9, a Permanent Resident Card is used as a List A document. When the form asks for the document number for that card, enter the 13-character card or document number from the back of the card.

Do not use the 9-digit USCIS number in the document-number field.

You may also see separate fields for other details, such as the card's expiration date or the issuing authority. Enter each item in its matching field. The document number belongs in the document-number field. The USCIS or alien number should not replace it.

If your employer's system uses a different label, check whether it says document number, card number, USCIS number, or A-number. Those labels are not all asking for the same thing.

If the system gives you only one unclear number field, check the form instructions or ask the person handling the form before submitting your information.

How to read the machine-readable zone

The machine-readable zone is the block of coded text near the bottom on the back of the card. It may look crowded because it uses a format meant for scanners rather than normal reading.

To find the green card number:

1. Turn the card to the back.
2. Locate the long coded block near the bottom.
3. Look at the first line of that block.
4. Identify the last 13 characters on that line.
5. Enter those characters without changing their order.

The code may include letters, numbers, and filler symbols. Don't treat every character in the line as the card number. The key detail is its position: the last 13 characters of the first line.

For a quick check, the number you found should be 13 characters long. If you are looking at a 9-digit number, you are probably looking at the USCIS number on the front instead.

What to do if the number is hard to read or your card design is different

Older cards or cards with a different design may not match the current layout exactly. The usual location is still a useful starting point, but don't force a number into a form if the card doesn't clearly match the description.

Try these steps:

• Check the back for a machine-readable block near the bottom.
• Look for the first line and its last 13 characters.
• Compare the field name on your form with the number's location.
• Check the form's instructions if it asks for a document number, USCIS number, or alien number.
• Contact USCIS or the relevant agency if the card format remains unclear.

Avoid sending your full card number in a public message or to someone who doesn't need it. When asking for help, describe the card's layout and the field label without sharing the complete number.

Before submitting, check the exact wording of the form: “document number” or “card number” usually means the 13-character code on the back, while “USCIS number” or “alien number” points to the separate 9-digit identifier on the front. Verify any unclear case against the relevant official instructions before providing personal information.