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Immigration · Explainer · Middletown, OH

What Is an Alien Registration Number (A-Number)? Middletown, Ohio Guide

Updated June 2026 · By Asal Multi Services · Columbus, OH

Filling out a USCIS form in Middletown, 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 Middletown, Ohio

Cincinnati Metro families typically come to us with a mix of family-petition, green-card, work-permit, and naturalization paperwork — sometimes for multiple family members at once. Our Butler/Warren County clients receive a complete packet review: every signature checked, every translation certified, every supporting document indexed before the envelope is sealed.

Middletown sits in Cincinnati Metro, consumer products, financial services, healthcare, and Northern Kentucky-based logistics jobs supporting a fast-growing residential base. Butler/Warren County, where Middletown is located, is a large Ohio city with full county clerk services, vital records access, and a passport acceptance facility nearby.

we plan in-office appointments to consolidate work into a single visit for Cincinnati-area clients. From Middletown (ZIP 45042), the trip is roughly 90 miles each way.

The 90-mile drive from Middletown (~108 min) is short enough for a midweek appointment but far enough that we always plan to finish core packet work in one sitting.

Verify current details: Fees, processing times, and rules change. Confirm the latest figures for your situation with USCIS before you file.

Need help in Middletown?

Asal Multi Services helps Middletown-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 Middletown families fill out USCIS forms?

Yes. We prepare USCIS forms for Middletown-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.