How to Find Your USCIS Online Account Number
- A USCIS online account number identifies your online USCIS account, not a specific case, and you generally only have one account number.
- Always double-check a form to make sure you use the right number.
- Common mistakes include entering a receipt number or A-Number instead of your OAN.
- Some forms list the OAN field as optional (“if any”), so always check the latest form instructions.
A USCIS online account number is a 12-digit number for your online account with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You’ll find your online account number in your online profile or on the Account Access Notice from USCIS.
Immigration forms ask for a lot of different numbers, and it’s easy to get them mixed up, but it’s important to know how to identify each one because they’re not interchangeable. Any time you submit a form, it’s good to double-check that you’re entering the number the form is asking for and that you entered it correctly.
| 📘 What is a USCIS online account number? A USCIS online account number is used to identify your myUSCIS account. The agency uses it to connect your immigration filings and notices in their online system. |
Where to find your USCIS online account number
There are a couple of places you can find your USCIS online account number—in your myUSCIS account and on notices from USCIS.
In your USCIS online account
If you’ve filed online or linked your case to your online account, you can start there to find your 12-digit account number
Log in to your myUSCIS account and check the following for a field labeled “USCIS online account number”:
- Your profile details
- Individual case pages
- PDFs in your notices or documents sections
On USCIS notices
Your OAN may appear on notices from USCIS.
If you filed by mail, you may have received an Account Access Notice about how to set up your online account to access your case. Your online account number will appear at the top of the Account Access Notice.
If you already have an online account but can’t find your OAN in your profile, check PDFs of notices in your online account, since they may list the number.
How to know if you have a USCIS online account number
You only receive an online account number in certain situations.
If you answer yes to any of the following three questions, you probably have an online account number. If you answer no to all three, you may not have one.
- Did you file a petition or application through a USCIS online account?
- Do you have a USCIS receipt number that begins with IOE?
- Did USCIS send you an Account Access Notice after a paper filing?
What to do if you can’t find your account number
- Confirm whether you actually have one. Not everyone does. If you’re unsure, go back to the previous section to walk through the scenarios where you may have received an online account number.
- Review the instructions for the form you need to fill out. Some forms ask for an OAN, but the field may be optional.
- Do not substitute another number. Don’t guess or fill in your receipt number or A-number. Incorrect numbers will delay USCIS processing.
- If your filing is urgent or a form rejects your entry, contact USCIS support or your attorney. If you’re represented, your immigration attorney can help you decide how to proceed.
| ⚠️ Not every immigration applicant has a USCIS online account number. If you haven’t filed through a USCIS online account or haven’t received an online access notice for a case filed via paper, you may not have one. Many USCIS forms allow you to leave this field blank if it does not apply, but always check the current form instructions first. |
Do you need a USCIS online account number to file?
Some immigration forms include a field for a USCIS online account number, but whether you need to add the number depends on the specific form.
If a form’s instructions list the online account number field as optional, or say “if any,” then it may be okay to leave that field blank. Always follow the latest instructions for the specific USCIS form you’re completing. If you’re unsure whether you need an OAN after reading the instructions, an immigration lawyer can help you understand the requirements for your form.
Why you may want a USCIS online account
An online account allows you, or your legal representative, to:
- File certain applications: For example, you can file Form AR-11 to change your address with USCIS if you move. When you file through an online account, you get instant confirmation.
- Check case status: USCIS may not send physical notices for every change in your case, like when your case moves to active review. You may also need to wait days or weeks for mail delivery by USPS. Online, you can check your case status at any time.
- View and save notices: You can see all of your USCIS notices and save copies of them for your records. In particular, keep a copy of any receipt notice, account access notice, or approval notice.
- Respond to USCIS requests: If you ever receive a request for evidence (RFE), it’s important to respond as quickly as possible to avoid delays or denials.
- Upload evidence: Your myUSCIS account allows you to submit forms and supporting documents digitally.
- Contact USCIS for support: You can send a question to an immigration services officer through secure messaging in your online account.
Online account numbers vs. other USCIS numbers
As you fill out USCIS forms, whether it’s online or on paper, you’ll be asked to provide a few different numbers. It’s easy to get them confused or enter an incorrect number in a field, but mixing up these numbers or entering the wrong number can delay processing.
Here is a quick review of some of the numbers you’ll need to know for USCIS forms.
- USCIS Online Account Number (OAN): Identifies your USCIS online account and helps connect online account activity.
- Receipt number: Tracks a specific case or filing and typically starts with three letters, for example, IOE, MSC, LIN, etc., followed by 10 numbers.
- A-Number: This is an alien registration number, and it identifies an individual in immigration filings. It’s sometimes also called a USCIS number or USCIS ID number.
Online access code: This is listed on an online account access notice and is a series of numbers and letters, separated by dashes. The access code is used to link a paper filing to an online account.
| 💡 Always use the latest version of a form. USCIS forms can change, so be sure to use the latest edition and the latest instructions for that particular form. You can find PDFs of all forms directly through USCIS. |
Get legal help if your case is complex or time-sensitive
If you’re having trouble keeping track of your case on your own, you’re filing on a deadline, or you’re not sure which number to use on a key form, it’s worth getting legal guidance before submitting anything.
At Manifest Law, our immigration attorneys help clients navigate filings with a clear strategy and avoid unnecessary mistakes. If you want support with a filing, case review, or a broader immigration plan, you can request a consultation to get personalized guidance.
FAQs about USCIS online account numbers
Can I have a USCIS account without seeing an online account number?
Sometimes you may not immediately see your online account number where you expect. As with any type of technology or app, USCIS interfaces can change. Some users find the number in their profile or on notices they’ve received rather than on every case screen.
If I have multiple USCIS cases, will I have multiple online account numbers?
You should have one USCIS online account number, even if you have multiple USCIS cases, but each case has its own receipt number.
What if my receipt number starts with IOE, but I still can’t find the OAN?
Check your USCIS account profile and your notices to confirm your online account number. If you still can’t find it and the filing is urgent, contact USCIS support or your immigration lawyer.
Should I include my online account number on every USCIS form?
You only need to include your online account number if you have one and if a form requires it. Follow the most recent USCIS form instructions for the specific form you’re filing.
What are the benefits of a USCIS account?
Having a USCIS allows you to file and track many forms online, including uploading supporting evidence when needed. You can also use your account to respond to RFEs, update your address, and schedule interviews. You’ll also receive responses from USCIS, such as an I-797 receipt notice, sooner than through the mail.
