One of the common documents used when completing Form I9, Employment Eligibility Verification is the permanent resident card, which is also called the green card. However, it can be confusing and challenging when navigating some different kinds of fields on this card. One of the things that make it confusing is the document number. You may find it hard to locate this. If it is the case, you are so lucky because you will be guided here.
About Permanent Resident Card Number
Permanent resident card number, which is also known as case number, green card number, or I-551 receipt number, refers to the number given by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS to those who apply for green card. This one consists of a 13-digit number. This number is written on the green card.
Some people often mistake a permanent resident card number as their alien registration number or A-number. In fact, they are two different things. However, they share some similarities. Just like the permanent resident card number, alien registration number or A-number is also found on the green card. Apart from the alien registration number or A-number, it should be noted that the permanent resident card number is also different from the USCIS number, which can be found on the front of the card.
About Form I9
Form I9, Employment Eligibility Verification, is the kind of form that is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of everyone who is hired to work in the United States. This one should be filled out by the employer for each of their employees that they hire, regardless of their citizenship status. It means they should do it for both the citizens of the United States and for the foreign citizens. The form should be completed on a certain time. Besides, it should be available for inspection upon request by the government agencies.
Form I9 is free to be obtained. In order to obtain it, there are two ways to choose from. The first one is by visiting the official website of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of USCIS and the second one is by contacting the USCIS Forms Line at 1-800-870-3676.
There several steps to follow to fill out Form I9, as follows:
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- The first thing is for the employee to complete Section 1 on the first day of employment.
- Then, they have to provide a few things, including their full legal name, contact information, and show their citizenship or immigration status.
- The next thing that it is must for them to provide is the documents that establish their identity and employment eligibility. On the form, there are acceptable documents that should be chosen by the employees.
- Then, the employee signs and gives Section 1 the date.
- After that, it is the employer’s turn to complete Section 2. They should do it within three business days of the first day of work of the employee.
- Next, they have to examine the documents provided by the employee. Check for completeness and authenticity.
- Aside from that, they also need to record the information found in the document, including the type of the document, the issuing authority, and the expiration date.
- When they are done with it, they have to sign and date this second section.
- For the last section, which is Section 3, it should be completed by the employers when necessary.
- Finally, they have to retain it with the original Form I9.
Finding Document Number on Permanent Resident Card for I9
The location of the permanent resident card number may vary, depending on the version of the green card. The details are as follows:
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Current version
In the current version of the green card, your green card number can be found on the backside of the card, at the bottom part. It is placed in the first line of a long string of 90 characters, consisting of letters, numbers, and symbols. The number starts with three letters and ends with 10 numbers.
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Older version
In the older version of the green card, the number may be able to be found at the bottom of the front of the card.
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Much older versions
If you have a much older green card, you will not be able to find the number on your green card. The absence of this number on your card is due to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS not using the green card number at the time they issued your card.
Learning about the Format of the Green Card Number
As stated before, in the first line of a string of 90 characters on your green card, there is your green card number. Depending on your status, it can start with either C1 or C2. If you are a permanent resident who currently lives in the United States, the line should start with C1. Meanwhile, it has to start with C2 if you are a permanent resident commuter. After C1 or C2, there should be your alien number. It consists of ten numbers. The alien number should be then followed by your green card number.
Talking about the green card number, keep in mind that the first three letters of the card represent the service center that processed your card. Here are the service centers and their three letter codes:
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- CSD: California Service Center
- EAC: Eastern Adjudication Center (it is now known as the Vermont Service Center)
- IOE: ELIS e-file
- LIN: Lincoln Service Center (it is now known as the Nebraska Service Center)
- MSC: Missouri Service Center (it is now known as the National Benefits Center)
- NSC: Nebraska Service Center
- NBC: National Benefits Center
- SRC: Southern Regional Center (it is now known as the Texas Service Center)
- TSC: Texas Service Center
- VSC: Vermont Service Center
- WAC: Western Adjudication Center (it is now known as the California Service Center)
- YSC: Potomac Service Center
Here is an example. The number that is written on your green card is SRC 20 005 40421. From that, you can tell that your green card was processed with the Southern Regional Center, which is now called the Texas Service Center. Apparently, the service center code is followed by the next two numbers that represent the fiscal year when the application of your green card was submitted to the U.S. government. For your information, the fiscal year of the U.S. government starts on October 1st and ends on September 20th of the year after that. It means that it is possible for this date to be different from the date on your calendar. In the example used here, 20 is the one that represents the fiscal year. It means that the green card case was received by the government in October 2019.
Next, there is the computer workday included in the green card number. In case you have no idea about a computer workday, it refers to a three-digit number that is based on the regular 365-day calendar. This one does not include weekends and holidays. In the example used here, the green card applicant was received by the government agency on the fifth workday of fiscal year 2020. As for the last part written on the green card, it is the 5-digit case number. It means the case number of the green card in the example is 40421. That 5-digit case number is unique, meaning there will not be people who share the same number. Besides, it also represents the number assigned by the USCIS to the green card application approved by them.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, for anyone who has to fill out the Form I9, Employment Eligibility Verification, they need to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on the form. One of the things that should be focused on is the number of green cards. This one serves as a key identifier of their immigration status. This kind of number is easy to find. Its location varies, depending on the version of the card. Just read the guide above to find one.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
