Your USCIS Online Account Number identifies your USCIS online account. To find it, check your account profile if you previously filed online, or the top of your USCIS Account Access Notice if you received one after filing by mail. Copy the number labeled “USCIS Online Account Number,” not your A-Number, receipt number, or online access code.
The Form N-400 instructions explain that an Online Account Number is associated with a prior filing whose receipt number begins with IOE. Having an email address and password for myUSCIS does not, by itself, tell you which number to enter on a form.
Where to Look: Online Profile or Paper Notice
- If you filed online: Sign in at myUSCIS using the account you used for that filing. Open your account profile and look for the Online Account Number label.
- If you filed by mail: Look for the USCIS Account Access Notice sent for your case. The N-400 instructions place the Online Account Number at the top of that notice.
- Match the label before copying: An IOE receipt number identifies a case; it is not the Online Account Number. A code used to connect a case to an account is different too.
Use the label as your guide because screen layouts and notices can change. Do not use an attorney's or family member's account number in a field asking for yours.
| Place to check | Label and example | What to copy |
|---|---|---|
| Account profile | USCIS Online Account Number: [number hidden] | The value beside the Online Account Number label |
| Top of Account Access Notice | USCIS Online Account Number: [number hidden] | The account number, not the access code elsewhere on the notice |
Online Account Number vs. A-Number, Receipt Number, and Access Code
| Identifier | Purpose | How to recognize it |
|---|---|---|
| USCIS Online Account Number | Identifies your online account | Look for that exact label in the profile or Account Access Notice. |
| A-Number | Identifies your immigration records | A followed by seven to nine digits; also appears on your Green Card. |
| Receipt number | Tracks a particular application or petition | Three letters and ten numbers, such as the masked pattern IOE••••••••••. |
| Online access code | Helps connect an eligible paper-filed case to an online account | A code on an access notice; it can expire and is not your account number. |
Sources: N-400 instructions for the account number and A-Number; USCIS receipt-number help for the receipt format; and USCIS Tech Talks on online access codes for case linking and replacement codes.
If You Cannot Find Your Number
- You have an IOE receipt but no number visible: Check both the account profile and your Account Access Notice. If neither resolves it, use the technical-support link on myUSCIS.
- You cannot sign in: Use the sign-in recovery options or myUSCIS technical support to regain access to the existing account.
- Your online access code is lost or expired: USCIS says you can request a new code. Ask for help with the access code; do not substitute your account number for it.
- You have never been assigned an Online Account Number: Follow the instructions for the form and filing method you are using. Do not invent a number or copy your A-Number into the field.
If your immediate goal is to see a case update, you can use the public USCIS case-status tool with your receipt number. It does not require your Online Account Number. Our N-400 case-status guide explains that process.
What to Enter on Your N-400 If You Do Not Have One
The paper N-400 instructions generally direct applicants to write “N/A” for a question that does not apply, unless otherwise directed. For an online filing, follow the options and instructions shown in the form. A missing number and a number you have never been assigned are different situations: recover an existing number if you have one.
Open the USCIS N-400 page before filing to check the accepted form edition and its instructions. Do not assume instructions for another immigration form apply to Form N-400.
Prepare for the Interview After Filing
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a USCIS Online Account Number?
It is an identifier for your USCIS online account. It is different from the A-Number used for your immigration records and the receipt number used to track a case.
Where can I find my USCIS Online Account Number?
Check your account profile if you previously filed online, or the top of your USCIS Account Access Notice if you received one after filing by mail.
Can I check my case without an Online Account Number?
Yes. The public USCIS case-status tool uses your receipt number, not your Online Account Number.
Is an online access code the same as an Online Account Number?
No. An online access code helps connect an eligible paper-filed case to an account. If that code is lost or expired, USCIS says you can request a new one.
Official Sources
Sources last checked .
- USCIS: Instructions for Form N-400 (edition 01/20/25, PDF)
- USCIS: Online Account
- USCIS: Non-Delivery of Document
- USCIS: Tech Talks, December 10, 2024 (PDF)
- USCIS: Case Status Online
- USCIS: N-400, Application for Naturalization
Related Articles
- How Do I Fill Out Form N-400 Step by Step?
- How to Check Your N-400 Case Status
- What Documents Do I Need to File Form N-400?
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