What Is an Alien Registration Number (A-Number)? Kenton, Ohio Guide
Updated June 2026 · By Asal Multi Services · Columbus, OH
Filling out a USCIS form in Kenton, Ohio and stuck on the "A-Number" line? Here is what it is, where to find it, and how to tell it apart from the other numbers on your documents.
Quick Answer
- ✓ An A-Number is your personal ID number with U.S. immigration.
- ✓ It looks like A-123456789 (7–9 digits).
- ✓ Find it on your green card (labeled "USCIS#"), work permit, immigrant visa, and USCIS notices.
- ✓ It is not the same as a receipt number, which tracks one specific application.
What the A-Number is
The Alien Registration Number — "A-Number" or "A#" — is a unique number U.S. immigration assigns to an individual. It identifies you across your entire immigration history, no matter how many applications you file over the years. It follows the person, not the case.
Where to find it
Look on your Permanent Resident Card (shown as "USCIS#" — the same nine digits), your Employment Authorization Document (work permit), your immigrant visa, and most USCIS notices and decisions. Older records may have fewer than nine digits; add zeros after the "A" when a form needs nine.
A-Number vs receipt number
Your A-Number is permanent and personal. A receipt number is a 13-character code (like IOE0123456789) that USCIS assigns to one specific application so you can track it. You get a new receipt number with each filing, but your A-Number stays the same.
What this means for Kenton, Ohio
Across Northwest Ohio, immigration paperwork tends to cluster around three life events: a family member arriving, a green card renewing or being replaced, and a permanent resident reaching the naturalization window. Kenton families work with us to make sure their packet tells one consistent story — the same names, dates, addresses, and relationship facts appear identically across every page.
Kenton sits in Northwest Ohio, historically tied to glass and auto manufacturing in Toledo, with growing healthcare and logistics employment along I-75 and the Lake Erie shipping corridor. Hardin County, where Kenton is located, is a tight-knit small community where the county clerk's office handles most document needs and federal services require a short drive.
most clients drive south on I-75 then east on State Route 161 or I-270 to reach our Columbus office. From Kenton (ZIP 43326), the trip is roughly 65 miles each way.
Kenton is about 65 miles from our Morse Rd office — roughly a 80-minute drive. Most clients complete their entire packet in a single visit, so the round trip is rarely repeated.
Verify current details: Fees, processing times, and rules change. Confirm the latest figures for your situation with USCIS before you file.
Need help in Kenton?
Asal Multi Services helps Kenton-area clients with immigration services and more — at a fraction of typical lawyer fees. Walk in or call; we speak Somali, Arabic, and English.
Related
A-Number in nearby Ohio cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an A-Number look like?
It is a 7-, 8-, or 9-digit number, usually written with an "A" in front, like A-123456789. Add leading zeros after the "A" to make nine digits when a form requires it.
Is the A-Number the same as the USCIS# on my green card?
Yes. The "USCIS#" field on current green cards contains the same nine digits as your A-Number, just without the "A" prefix.
Is it the same as my receipt number?
No. A receipt number (like IOE0123456789) tracks one specific application. Your A-Number stays with you across all your cases.
Does everyone have an A-Number?
Not necessarily. If you have never had a green card, work permit, immigrant visa, or removal case, you may not have one yet. Some forms let you write "None."
Can Asal help Kenton families fill out USCIS forms?
Yes. We prepare USCIS forms for Kenton-area families and make sure every number — A-Number, receipt number, USCIS# — is entered correctly.
Asal Multi Services is a non-attorney document preparation service and does not provide legal advice. This guide is general information only; verify your specific situation with USCIS.