Understanding your USCIS receipt number

When USCIS receives your application or petition, they issue a receipt notice (Form I-797C) that includes a 13-character receipt number. This number begins with a three-letter service center code, followed by a two-digit fiscal year and eight digits identifying your case.

The receipt number is required to check your case status online and to reference your case when contacting USCIS. It is different from your Alien Registration Number (A-Number), which is a separate identifier assigned to you personally rather than to a specific filing.

Keep your receipt notice in a safe place. If you misplace it and need your receipt number, you may need to contact USCIS directly to retrieve it, since DocPrep does not store or have access to your official USCIS case file.