A SIMPLE GUIDE TO UNDERSTAND THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS) FORMS AND RECEIPT NUMBER

Introduction 

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stamps immigration petitions and applications that have been approved. Immigration through the USCIS is normally cumbersome and time-consuming. This is especially if English is not your first language. 

Perhaps the most challenging part of the process is navigating the complex USCIS forms. Each of them has a specific function and each of them has specific requirements, and they are all strictly necessary to any immigration process. 

Aside from that, USCIS gives a shared receipt number to all the cases. They get either by application or by petition. The number is so more useful in your immigration case like it makes follow up easy for your case. Once again, how do you receive this number, get familiar with it, and use it? 

We will guide you through the steps to use going through the USCIS immigration process. We will also guide you on what your USCIS receipt number is and how you can use it. 

What does USCIS do? 

USCIS is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. They are mainly responsible for adjudicating petitions for immigration benefits like work visas, green cards, and citizenship, among others. They also perform other functions like processing refugees and asylum and granting employment authorization documents (EADs). 

One of the biggest challenges is going through the normally bewildering universe of USCIS forms. Each form is a task that has a matching rule, and they are the building blocks upon which any immigration case is built. We will give you a quick review of these forms so that you will be more at ease going through them. 

Why knowing about USCIS immigration forms is important 

It is even more important to know about USCIS forms due to several reasons.  

• First, each one of them has a particular immigration process and submitting an incorrect one will result in delays or rejection.  

• Second, each form has a set of instructions and requirements and omitting or providing incorrect information will lead to unforeseen complications. Your knowledge about filling out these forms can have a direct influence on your immigration process.  

Brief info on the USCIS forms 

USCIS has more than a hundred forms that address various aspects of the immigration process. Some of the most common include: 

• I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status): This USCIS form is any green card application of any person who wishes to be a permanent resident of the United States. 

• N-400 (Application for Naturalization): That is what one submits when they wish to become an American citizen. 

• N-600 (Petition for Certificate of Citizenship): That is the one that grants a certificate of formal evidence that the child is a US citizen. It is not used as a petition for the purpose of having the advantage of applying for citizenship. 

• I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): It is used as a petition by an LPR or an American if they are seeking to bring a family members to the United States. 

• I-864 (Affidavit of Support): Some immigrants are required to submit this USCIS form. This is to show that they can support themselves and will not become a public charge of the US government. 

Why Your USCIS receipt number is important 

Your USCIS receipt number means a great deal to your immigration case. It is a unique number that you can use to check your case, obtain case status information, and reach USCIS. The following is what you can do with it: 

• Check your case online: Use the number to find out where your case is on the USCIS website. 

• Talk to USCIS: When you are inquiring or sending evidence, the USCIS receipt number allows them to locate your case. 

• Check progress: You can receive notices of processing time along with information about what is being done to your case. 

How to find your receipt number 

It is frustrating when you lose your USCIS receipt number, but don’t worry — it is likely easier to find than you think. If you have it handwritten on your Form I-797, in an email or text message from USCIS, or saved in your USCIS online account. There are some options you can pursue to find this all-important case number. 

The first acknowledgement notice 

USCIS will provide you with a receipt number the instant you submit a form. When they approve your petition or application, they will send you a receipt notice, which is also called Form I-797C, Notice of Action. It usually takes 2-4 weeks after you file to arrive. 

If you made a mistake while filing, instead of being given a receipt notice, you may be given notice of rejection, and your case is rejected. If that is what happens, then you must refile, and this notice would lack a receipt number. 

Other options to get your receipt number 

USCIS will always send a receipt notice. If you didn’t get it or lost it, there are other ways through which this number can be obtained. 

• Form G-1145: If you submitted Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, with your petition, USCIS will have emailed or texted your receipt number. Check for an email and text messages from USCIS, which will come shortly after they accept your petition. The e-notification contains the receipt number and is quite useful if you do end up losing the actual Form I-797. 

• Online account: Check your account if you applied online or submitted a paper application for an online account with USCIS. You may have been automatically issued one. Log in to my.uscis.gov using your email address and password. 

• Contact an immigration lawyer: If you are still having trouble finding your receipt number, you can also talk with an immigration lawyer. 

How to make sense of your receipt number 

A USCIS receipt number is a 13-character number consisting of three letters and 10 digits, or a case number. There is meaning in each section of the number. 

You don’t have to be a pro on how to decode a USCIS receipt number, but you do make yourself informed enough for your own peace of mind by knowing what it says. It will lead you as to how you follow your case status and timeframe. 

To make sense of the receipt number, we shall use a sample receipt number to break it down: WAC 24 012 50960. 

• Service Center (WAC 24 012 50960). 

Every receipt number starts with three letters that show which service center handled the case. There are a bunch of codes for USCIS service centers, like: 

CSC – California Service Center 

EAC – Eastern Adjudication Center (now called Vermont Service Center) 

IOE – USCIS online account (efile) 

LIN – Lincoln Service Center (now called Nebraska Service Center) 

MSC – Missouri Service Center (now called National Benefits Center) 

NBC – National Benefits Center 

NSC – Nebraska Service Center 

SRC – Southern Regional Center (now called Texas Service Center) 

TSC – Texas Service Center 

VSC – Vermont Service Center 

WAC – Western Adjudication Center (now called California Service Center) 

YSC – Potomac Service Center 

• Fiscal year (WAC 24 012 50960). 

The next part of the number shows the fiscal year when the case was received. The government’s fiscal year is different from the calendar year; it starts on October 1 and ends on September 30. So, our example case was opened between October 2023 and September 2024. 

• Computer workday (WAC 24 012 50960) 

The third part of the number tells you the computer workday when the case was opened. This is basically a regular workday, so it doesn’t count weekends or holidays. Our example case was opened on the 12th workday of the 2024 fiscal year (October 18, 2023). 

• Case Number (WAC 24 012 50960). 

The last five digits are the actual case number. 

How do you use the receipt number to check USCIS case status online 

Once you get your receipt number, you can easily check and track your case online. Just follow these simple steps to see your case status with your USCIS receipt number: 

• Visit the USCIS case status page: Go to the check your case status page on USCIS.gov. 

• Enter your USCIS receipt number: Put the 13-character receipt number into the box (without dashes). 

• Review your case status: Hit the “check status” button and see what is up. The system will show you the latest updates about your case. 

Green card number 

Also, keep in mind that different agencies might ask for your USCIS receipt number using other names if you have a green card. Some might call it a permanent resident card number or a green card number. The case linked to your permanent residency is printed on newer cards. 

Your green card number is on the back of newer versions of the permanent resident card. Older versions might have the number in different spots or not at all. 

But remember, you don’t need to have a green card to get a USCIS receipt number. USCIS gives out a receipt number for almost any form you file with them. 

Get help! 

At Gehi and Associates, we make it easy and affordable for you to get help with USCIS immigration petitions and case tracking. Our experienced immigration lawyers are here to assist you in filling out your forms properly so that you can minimize delay costs. Call now! 

FAQs 

• Do I get a receipt number upon approval of an immigration petition/application? 

No, the receipt number shows that USCIS has gotten your application. You will get a separate notice for the approval. 

• What if two cases have same receipt number? 

This is not possible because every receipt number is specific to its own case. 

• What can be done if a case is delayed because of errors in the USCIS forms? 

If your case is taking longer than you thought due to errors in your USCIS forms, and you have confirmed this delay by looking at the USCIS processing times online. You should speak with a skilled immigration lawyer to help you correct the errors, and speed things up.