How To Get Alien Registration Number: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

An Alien Registration Number, formally known as an A-Number, is a unique nine-digit identification number assigned by the Department of Homeland Security to every non-citizen who interacts with United States immigration services. To locate or obtain this crucial identifier, you must review existing immigration documents like visas and employment authorization cards, or submit formal requests through government agency channels if records are missing.

Foundational Prerequisites and Document Requirements

Before attempting to locate or acquire an Alien Registration Number, establishing a structured preparation framework prevents costly administrative delays and processing backlogs. The A-Number serves as the primary tracking mechanism across U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Managing this data requires understanding where the number historically originates and which documents house it.

• Essential Documentation: Gather all historical passports, expired visas, previously issued employment authorization documents, green cards, and any formal correspondence received from the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Justice.
• Prerequisite Knowledge: Understand the difference between an A-Number and a USCIS account number, as the former specifically begins with the letter "A" followed by eight or nine digits, whereas the latter is typically a twelve-digit numeric string used exclusively for online portal access.
• Timeline and Budget Benchmarks: Locating an existing A-Number on personal documents takes minutes with zero cost. Submitting a Freedom of Information Act request to retrieve lost immigration records requires zero filing fees but carries processing timelines ranging from four weeks to several months depending on agency backlogs.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Locate or Obtain Your Alien Registration Number

Step 1: Inspect Existing Immigration Documents and Visas

Examine physical documents issued by the U.S. government to find the pre-existing A-Number. Look at the top or side margins of official notices of action, such as Form I-797, where the identifier appears beneath the applicant name block.

• Open any physical or digital copies of Form I-20, Form DS-2019, permanent resident cards, or immigrant visa foils placed inside your passport.
• Scan the document specifically for the letter "A" followed by a sequence of digits, often formatted as AXXXXXXXX.

Pro-Tip: If your visa was issued abroad, the A-Number is frequently printed directly on the immigrant visa foil under the registration number field or within the annotation section.

Step 2: Review Past Government Correspondence and Notices of Action

If physical identification cards or visas are unavailable, search through all electronic and paper mail received from USCIS, the Board of Immigration Appeals, or an immigration court. Every official adjudication notice, receipt notice, or interview appointment letter displays the assigned A-Number near the top right corner.

• Log into personal email archives and search for PDF attachments containing receipt numbers beginning with three letters such as SRC, EAC, WAC, or LIN, and cross-reference those files for the associated A-Number.
• Inspect notices of action for Form I-485, Form I-130, or Form I-765, as these foundational petitions explicitly list the beneficiary's A-Number.

Step 3: File a Freedom of Information Act Request for Lost Records

When all personal archives fail to reveal the A-Number, formal retrieval requires submitting a Freedom of Information Act request via the official Department of Homeland Security portal or through USCIS ELIS.

• Complete Form G-639, formally known as the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Request, ensuring all biographical data fields regarding the subject of the record are filled accurately.
• Provide notarized signatures or verified identity proofs to prevent administrative rejections due to privacy regulations surrounding federal immigration files.

Warning: Submitting incomplete biographical information or omitting a notarized signature on Form G-639 will result in immediate administrative rejection, resetting your processing timeline.

Step 4: Contact Immigration Agencies Directly for Verification

For individuals currently involved in active removal proceedings or those who have urgent legal filing deadlines, direct agency outreach provides an alternative verification pathway.

• Contact the Executive Office for Immigration Review automated case status hotline using the toll-free number and enter historical case details to retrieve lost tracking numbers.
• Schedule an InfoPass appointment through the official USCIS contact center to speak directly with an immigration services officer who can access the Central Index System database.

Common Administrative Failures and Field Fixes

• Root Cause: Confusing the USCIS Account Number with the Alien Registration Number.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Verify that the identification string begins with the literal letter "A" followed by digits. If your number is strictly numeric and twelve digits long, locate the distinct A-Number printed on official paper notices of action.
• Root Cause: Inaccurate biographical data entry when submitting records requests.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Ensure exact matches for full legal names, historical maiden names, date of birth, and country of origin when filing inquiries or Freedom of Information Act requests.
• Root Cause: Assuming a non-immigrant visa without work authorization carries an A-Number.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Recognize that standard tourist visas (B1/B2) and many student visas (F-1) do not automatically generate an A-Number unless the individual applies for adjustment of status or employment authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Alien Registration Number used for?

The Alien Registration Number serves as the primary master file identifier for all non-citizens within the United States immigration system. Government agencies, employers verifying work eligibility through E-Verify, and legal practitioners use this number to track immigration history, petitions, and legal status changes.

Is an Alien Registration Number the same as a Green Card number?

While they are frequently printed on the same physical card, they are distinct numbers. The A-Number remains permanently assigned to the individual for life, whereas the card number on a Green Card changes each time the physical card is renewed or replaced.

Can I work in the U.S. without knowing my A-Number?

Working lawfully requires your employer to complete Form I-9, which mandates proof of work authorization. If you are a lawful permanent resident or hold specific work visas, you must provide the correct A-Number or USCIS number to satisfy federal employment verification standards.

How long does it take to get an A-Number if I don't have one?

An A-Number is not something you apply for in isolation; rather, it is automatically generated by the government when you file a petition for permanent residency, asylum, deportation defense, or certain employment authorization categories. Processing times depend entirely on the underlying immigration application type.

Streamline Your Immigration Tracking Today

Securing and safeguarding your Alien Registration Number prevents unnecessary delays in future visa applications, employment verifications, and permanent residency filings. Begin reviewing your historical immigration documents immediately or initiate a formal records request to ensure your legal paperwork remains accurate and accessible.