How Do I Find a Card Number?

If the new hire presents a Permanent Resident Card, Resident Alien Card or Employment Authorization Document (EAD), E-Verify will require both the Document Number and the Alien/USCIS Number. The Alien/USCIS Number is recorded by the new hire in Section 1 of the I-9 form. You should record the Document Number in Section 2 under the “List A” document heading.

How do I locate the Document Number on a Permanent Resident Card?

The Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, was introduced in December 1997. The Document Number will be in the format of THREE letters followed by TEN digits and will NOT be the same as the USCIS/Alien Number. Depending on the card’s version, the number may be on the front or back. If the card bears three rows of characters, the Document Number will be located in the top row, to the right. Write this number in the List A area of Section 2. View this article to learn more about the Permanent Resident Card.

Permanent Resident Card I-551
The Alien/USCIS Number is circled in blue. The Document Number is circled in red.

What do I do if the employee provides a Form I-551 Resident Alien Card?

Resident Alien Cards that were issued prior to December 1997 do NOT have a card number. When an employee provides a Resident Alien Card without a card number, enter AAA and 10 zeros (AAA0000000000) on the I-9 form. [Click to view image]

How do I locate the card number on an Employment Authorization Card?

The Employment Authorization Card, Form I-766, was introduced in January 1997. Like a Permanent Resident Card, the Document Number will be in the format of THREE letters followed by TEN digits and will NOT be the same as the USCIS/Alien Number. Depending on the card’s version, the number may be on the front or back. If the card bears three rows of characters, the Document Number will be located in the top row, to the right.