A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a valuable document that grants immigrants the legal right to live and work permanently in the United States. For many, it represents a major milestone—a gateway to a new beginning. But have you ever paid attention to the unique 13-character code printed on it? Known as the Green Card number or Permanent Resident Card number, this identifier is more than just a string of letters and numbers.
In this article, we’ll break down the Green Card number, explaining what each section represents, and highlighting why it’s so important to keep this number safe and secure.
What is a Green Card Number?
The US Permanent Resident Card Number (also called the Green Card Number) is the 13-character identifier printed on the front of your U.S. Permanent Resident Card. This card also known as the Green card allows non-citizens to permanently live and work in the US.
This number usually begins with three letters and then followed by ten numbers; it is a unique identifier for each permanent resident or Green Card holder, allowing USCIS to track and manage their status.
What is the Importance of the Green Card Number?
The Green Card Number is a crucial element of your permanent resident card—it’s not just a string of characters but a key that unlocks vital aspects of your life in the United States. As the unique identifier assigned by USCIS, it tracks your immigration history, supports legal verification of your status, and is required when applying for jobs, benefits, or even U.S. citizenship. Just as the Green Card itself symbolizes stability and opportunity, the Green Card Number ensures your identity is correctly linked to those opportunities, making it essential for everything from accessing public services to renewing your residency status.
Where is the Permanent Resident Card Number located on the Green Card?
There’s often a lot of confusion about where to find the number on your Green Card. Some sources say it’s on the front of the card, others insist it’s at the back, leaving many people frustrated and stuck in a loop of mixed information. If you’ve been unsure too, you’re not alone. But don’t worry, this article is here to clear things up and give you accurate, up-to-date answers about the exact location of your Green Card number and why it matters.
If you have a newer version of the Green Card (issued since May 2010), your Green Card Number is located on the back side of the card. It’s typically labeled as “USCIS#” or shown as part of a string under the section titled “Card Number.”
For older Green Card versions (issued before May 2010), the number may appear on the front side and might be labeled as “A#” (Alien Number) or positioned differently.
How to Locate Your U.S. Green Card Number?
The Green Card Number is embedded within the 90-character string found on the back of your green card. It begins after the first 10 characters in the first line of that string. These initial characters usually represent your immigration category and country of birth. Starting from the 11th position, you’ll see your 13-character Green Card Number, which consists of three letters (indicating the service center that processed your case), followed by ten digits— which is a unique identifier for your immigration records and is essential for tracking your case, verifying status, and completing forms.
How to Read Your U.S Permanent Resident Card Number?
At first glance, your Green Card Number (also called the Permanent Resident Card Number) might just look like a random mix of letters and digits, but there’s real meaning behind it. Even though most permanent residents don’t need to memorize or decode it, understanding what each part of the number represents can help you better track your immigration history and stay informed about your status.
Let’s break it down using a sample number: TSC1500540925
This 13-character code is divided into four sections, each with a purpose:
1. Service Center (First 3 Letters)
The first three letters show where your Green Card application was processed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here are the most common service center codes:
- TSC – Texas Service Center
- CSC – California Service Center
- EAC – Eastern Adjudication Center (now Vermont Service Center)
- LIN – Lincoln Service Center (now Nebraska Service Center)
- MSC – Missouri Service Center (now National Benefits Center)
- NBC – National Benefits Center
- NSC – Nebraska Service Center
- SRC – Southern Regional Center (now Texas Service Center)
- VSC – Vermont Service Center
- WAC – Western Adjudication Center (now California Service Center)
- YSC – Potomac Service Center
- IOE – ELIS (efile submissions)
So, if your number starts with TSC, it means the Texas Service Center handled your case.
2. Fiscal Year (Next 2 Digits)
The next two numbers tell you when your case was received, based on the USCIS fiscal year (which runs from October 1 to September 30, not January to December, like the regular calendar).
For example, 15 means the case was received sometime between October 2014 and September 2015.
3. Workday of the Year (Next 3 Digits)
These digits mark the workday your case was opened—excluding weekends and federal holidays.
In the example, 005 means it was opened on the 5th USCIS workday of the 2015 fiscal year, which would fall around October 7, 2014.
4. Your Unique Case Number (Last 5 Digits)
The final five digits (40925 in this case) are specific to your immigration application. This number is what officially identifies your individual case in the USCIS system.
The Digital Green Card Pilot Launched by USCIS IN 2024
In 2024, USCIS launched a new pilot program for the Mobile I-551 Digital Green Card. This digital version gives eligible permanent residents card holders secure, smartphone-based access to their permanent resident card number.
Here’s what the digital Green Card allows you to do:
- Present proof of permanent residency at U.S. ports of entry
- Share your Green Card number electronically with employers for work authorization
- Receive real-time updates on your card’s validity and status
While your physical Permanent Resident Card document number remains the official record, this digital option adds convenience, better security and faster verification in modern settings.
As this digital Green Card pilot expands, more lawful permanent residents will enjoy the flexibility of having both digital and physical proof of immigration status at their fingertips.
Use of the Green Card Number
The Green Card number is a key identifier for lawful permanent residents in the US and is used in many situations. Knowing when and why you need this number will help you better navigate legal, employment, and administrative processes.
1. Employment Verification
Employers in the US are required to verify the employment eligibility of all employees. During the hiring process, new employees must fill out Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The Green Card number is required for this form as it proves your lawful permanent resident status so you can work legally in the country.
2. Travel and Re-entry
When a Green Card holder travels outside the US, they must present their Green Card upon re-entry to prove their permanent resident status. The Green Card number helps US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers quickly verify the individual’s status so you can re-enter the country smoothly
3. Applying for Benefits
Permanent residents may be eligible for some public benefits and services such as Social Security, Medicare, and financial aid for education. When applying for these benefits, you may be required to provide your Green Card number as part of the verification process to prove your eligibility.
4. Renewal and Replacement
Your Green Cards are valid for ten years and must be renewed before expiration. If you lose, damage, or have your card stolen, you must replace it. You need the Green Card number or Permanent Resident card number for these processes to maintain continuous immigration records and issue a new card.
5. Legal and Administrative Processes
In legal matters such as court proceedings or when dealing with government agencies, providing the Green Card number helps to identify and reference the individual’s immigration status. This can be important for immigration status verification, deportation defense or other legal issues.
6. Loan and Mortgage Applications
Financial institutions may require proof of lawful permanent residency when applying for loans or mortgages. The Green Card number along with other personal information is used to verify the applicant’s identity and eligibility for financial products.
7. Educational Enrollments
When enrolling in educational institutions, especially for higher education, students may need to provide their Green Card number to verify their residency status. This can affect in-state tuition rates, scholarships, and other educational benefits.
8. Healthcare Services
Some healthcare providers and insurance companies may require your Green Card number to verify eligibility for specific services and programs. So permanent residents can get the right coverage and benefits.
The Green Card number is a valuable and essential tool for lawful permanent residents, for many aspects of daily life, and for complying with US laws and regulations. If you need help in obtaining a green card, contact Immigration Question, they allow you to connect with verified attorneys and access legal information. Sign up for free!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the U.S. Permanent Resident Card Number
1. Where is the green card number location on other USCIS documents?
You can also find it on your I‑797 Notice of Action when USCIS first approves your permanent residency.
2. Does my green card number change after renewal?
No, the permanent resident card number on green card remains the same, even after renewal or replacement.
3. Green Card Number vs. A‑Number: What’s the Difference?
- Green Card Number (USCIS#): Unique 13‑character code on your card
- A‑Number (Alien Number): Usually 9 digits, found on other immigration documents
They link to the same file but serve different tracking purposes.
4. Can I use my green card number for I‑9 instead of my A‑Number?
Yes, USCIS accepts the USCIS# (green card number) for Form I‑9 employment verification.
