What Is an Alien Registration Number (A-Number)? North Columbus, Ohio Guide
Updated June 2026 · By Asal Multi Services · Columbus, OH
Filling out a USCIS form in North Columbus, 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 North Columbus, Ohio
North Columbus sits in Columbus Metro, home to Ohio State University, Nationwide Insurance, JPMorgan Chase operations, and the rapidly growing Intel Ohio One semiconductor campus in Licking County. Franklin County, where North Columbus is located, is a substantial Ohio community with established county-level document and vital records services.
Across Columbus Metro, 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. North Columbus 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.
a community where Somali, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Nepali are spoken every day across schools, workplaces, and houses of worship — and North Columbus, with a population near 45,000, reflects that mix in its schools, workplaces, and houses of worship.
North Columbus is about 2 miles from our Morse Rd office — roughly a 6-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 North Columbus?
Asal Multi Services helps North Columbus-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 North Columbus families fill out USCIS forms?
Yes. We prepare USCIS forms for North Columbus-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.