What Is an Alien Registration Number (A-Number)? St. Marys, Ohio Guide
Updated June 2026 · By Asal Multi Services · Columbus, OH
Filling out a USCIS form in St. Marys, 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 St. Marys, Ohio
St. Marys sits in Northwest Ohio, a strong agricultural base combined with Toledo-area manufacturing, healthcare, and Great Lakes logistics jobs. Auglaize County, where St. Marys is located, is a small Ohio city where most clients drive to the county seat for vital records and to a regional metro for federal appointments.
Northwest Ohio 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 Auglaize County clients receive a complete packet review: every signature checked, every translation certified, every supporting document indexed before the envelope is sealed.
a mix of long-established immigrant families and newer arrivals, particularly in the Toledo metro and along the I-75 corridor — and St. Marys, with a population near 8,201, reflects that mix in its schools, workplaces, and houses of worship.
The 95-mile drive from St. Marys (~115 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 St. Marys?
Asal Multi Services helps St. Marys-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 St. Marys families fill out USCIS forms?
Yes. We prepare USCIS forms for St. Marys-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.