Numbers & Documents
Permanent Resident Card Number: What It Is and Where to Find It
The phrase "permanent resident card number" trips a lot of people up, because a green card actually carries more than one number—and they live in different spots on the card. Depending on what a form is asking for, "the number" could mean the long card number printed across the front, the USCIS number, or the receipt number that produced the card.
This guide untangles those numbers so you can answer any form field with confidence. We'll show you the physical layout of a current Permanent Resident Card, explain what each number is for, and clear up the most common confusion between the card number and your A-Number.
If you only remember one thing: read the label next to the number, not just the digits. The label tells you which number it is.
Key takeaways
- ✓A green card carries a 13-character card number (the document serial) and a nine-digit USCIS#/A-Number (your personal ID).
- ✓The card number changes with each new card; the A-Number never changes.
- ✓The card number is usually on the back; the USCIS# is on the front.
- ✓Forms asking for "card number" want the serial; forms asking for "USCIS#/A-Number" want the nine digits.
- ✓Read the label beside the number to know which one to use.
The two main numbers on a green card
A current Permanent Resident Card prints a 13-character card number (a mix of letters and digits, such as three letters followed by ten digits) typically on the back of the card. This is the physical document's serial number—it identifies that specific card, and it changes when you are issued a new or replacement card.
The card also shows a "USCIS#," which is your nine-digit Alien Registration Number (A-Number) without the "A" prefix. Unlike the card number, the USCIS#/A-Number stays the same across every card you are ever issued, because it identifies you rather than the plastic.
So when a form asks for your "card number," it usually wants the 13-character document serial; when it asks for your "USCIS#" or "A-Number," it wants the nine-digit personal identifier. They are not interchangeable.
How to read the front and back of the card
On the front, you'll find your name, photo, category code, your USCIS#, and the card's expiration date. The category code (for example, IR1, CR1, or DV) describes the basis on which you became a permanent resident.
On the back, the card number appears along with the machine-readable zone—the rows of letters, numbers, and chevrons (< < <) that scanners read at ports of entry. The card number is also encoded within that machine-readable zone.
If your card was issued before the current design, the layout differs and some labels may not match exactly. When in doubt, the nine-digit number that matches your other immigration documents is your A-Number.
When you'll be asked for each number
Re-entry at the airport and employment verification (Form I-9) often rely on the card number and expiration date, because those tie to the physical document. Immigration applications, on the other hand, lean on your A-Number/USCIS#, because they connect your filing to your permanent record.
If you are filing Form I-90 to renew or replace the card, you'll reference both: your A-Number to identify you, and details from the existing card to explain what you are replacing.
Entering the wrong number in the wrong field is a frequent, avoidable error. Asal double-checks each identifier against your actual card during document preparation so the right number lands in the right box.
Verify the official details
Government fees, processing times, form editions, and rules change regularly. Before you rely on any figure, confirm the current information on the official government page.
Read about your Permanent Resident Card on USCIS.govFrequently asked questions
Is the permanent resident card number the same as my A-Number?+
No. The card number is the 13-character serial of the physical card (usually on the back). The A-Number is your nine-digit personal identifier, printed on the front as "USCIS#." The card number changes with each new card; the A-Number does not.
Where is the card number on my green card?+
On current cards it is printed on the back, near the machine-readable zone. It is typically three letters followed by ten digits.
Which number does the I-9 employment form need?+
Form I-9 generally uses the card (document) number and the USCIS#/A-Number along with the expiration date. Follow the field labels on the I-9 exactly, since it asks for specific identifiers.
My new card has a different number than my old one. Did something change?+
That's expected. The card number is unique to each physical card, so a renewal or replacement gets a new card number. Your A-Number stays the same.
What does the category code on the front mean?+
It describes how you obtained permanent residence—for example IR1/CR1 for certain spouses or DV for the diversity program. It is informational and not the same as any of the numeric identifiers.
Do I need to memorize my card number?+
No, but keep a photocopy of both sides of your card in a safe place. Having the card number and A-Number handy makes filing renewals or reporting a lost card much faster.
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Asal Immigration Services is a document preparation service operated by Asal Multi-Services LLC. We are not attorneys and are not authorized to practice law. We do not provide legal advice, explanations, opinions, or recommendations about legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, or strategies. We assist with the preparation of immigration forms based on information you provide. For legal advice, consult a licensed immigration attorney.