How to Find Your Green Card Number
- Your 13-character Green Card number appears on the back of modern cards or the front of older versions.
- This number is a receipt-style identifier for the specific physical card, so it changes each time you receive a replacement or renewed card.
- Your Alien Registration Number (A-number) is different—it’s a permanent nine-digit identifier labeled “USCIS#” on the front of your Green Card.
Every Green Card has a 13-character identifier known as the Green Card number or receipt number, comprising three letters and 10 numbers. You can usually find this number on the back of cards issued after 2010. On older versions, it may appear on the front.
It’s not to be confused with your Alien Registration Number (A-number). Your A-number is a seven- to nine-digit ID that stays with you for life. In contrast, the Green Card number is specific to a physical card.
| 🧑⚖️Clear guidance, without the legal jargon. This article is informed and reviewed by Manifest Law’s experienced immigration attorneys—and written to make the law make sense. Because you deserve to understand the system, not fight it. Check out our editorial policy for more info. |
Where is the Green Card number located?
The location of your Green Card number depends on when the government issued your card, since it’s been redesigned several times to improve security.
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Cards issued after May 2010
If your card was issued after May 2010, the Green Card number is located on the back of the card. Look at the bottom of the card for a long string of characters.
The Green Card number is found on the first line. Specifically, it starts at the 16th character and ends at the 28th character. On the most recent card designs, including the 2023 version, this number begins with three letters followed by 10 numbers.
Cards issued before May 2010
If your card is an older version issued before May 2010, the Green Card number is typically found on the front of the card. In these older versions, the number is often printed near the bottom, sometimes as part of a long string of text similar to the modern versions.
Understanding the 13-character format
Every Green Card number follows a specific pattern. It starts with a three-letter code that identifies the USCIS service center that processed the application. Common codes include:
- EAC or VSC: Vermont Service Center
- LIN or NSC: Nebraska Service Center
- SRC, SSC, or TSC: Texas Service Center
- MSC or NBC: National Benefits Center
- WAC or CSC: California Service Center
It’s followed by 10 numbers, following this format: YY-DDD-XXXX
- Fiscal year: The first two numbers represent the government fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.
- Computer workday: These three digits refer to the specific workday the case was opened.
- Case number: The final five digits are your specific case number.
Also note that the format of your Green Card number is the same whether you have a standard 10-year Green Card or a 2-year conditional Green Card.
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Green Card number vs. A-number
It’s easy to mistake the Green Card number for the Alien Registration Number, but they serve different purposes.
A-number
The A-number (short for Alien Registration Number) is a seven-digit, eight-digit, or nine-digit number. The government assigns a unique number to you when you attend your U.S. embassy or consulate appointment. You can find it on the front of your Green Card, labeled “USCIS#.”
Green Card number
The Green Card number, also called a receipt number, is a 13-character code. Unlike the A-number, this code is specific to the physical card. If you lose your card and get a replacement, your A-number will stay the same, but you’ll receive a new Green Card number.
How to find your Green Card number without a physical card
If you lose your physical card, you can still find your Green Card number using your USCIS online account to view your case history and receipt numbers. If you can’t find it, you can call the USCIS contact center at 800-375-5283.
Working with an immigration attorney can provide a safety net. Your legal representative will likely keep a full copy of your immigration file, ensuring your A-number and Green Card number are available if your physical documents are lost or stolen.
| Need a replacement? If your Green Card is lost, stolen, or expired, you must file Form I-90 to request a new card. |
Get help finding your Green Card number
Keeping track of your Green Card number is important for maintaining your status and traveling. If you’ve lost your card or are struggling to navigate USCIS systems, you don’t have to handle it alone.
At Manifest Law, our team is experienced at helping skilled professionals manage their immigration strategy, including their documentation. Contact Manifest Law today to schedule a consultation.
FAQs about Green Card numbers
Where do I get my Green Card number?
You receive your Green Card number once your application is approved and your physical card is printed. You can find it on the back of modern cards.
What is the nine-digit number on a Green Card?
The nine-digit number, labeled as “USCIS#” on the front of your card, is your Alien Registration Number.
Can my Green Card number change?
Yes. A Green Card number is a document number that’s assigned to one card, so if you renew or get a replacement card, it will have its own Green Card number.
