Forms ask for a USCIS Online Account Number, and many people have no idea whether they have one. The field sits right next to the A-Number, so it is easy to confuse them. A wrong number can cause problems you do not need, and it is a simple issue to sort out.
As of October 31, 2026, this guide explains what the number is, where it appears, who has one, and what to do if you do not.
- OAN stands for USCIS Online Account Number.
- You only have one if you filed a form with a receipt number beginning with IOE.
- Online filers can find it in their account profile.
- Paper filers can find it at the top of the Account Access Notice.
- The OAN is not the same as an A-Number.
- USCIS says you should have 1 account number for all cases submitted.
What is it?
A number linked to your online filing account. The USCIS glossary says "your USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) is a unique identification number issued by the USCIS online filing system account. You should have 1 account number for all cases submitted" (USCIS, Glossary).
Who actually has one?
Fewer people than you might think. The form instructions are direct: "You will only have a USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) if you previously filed a form that has a receipt number that begins with IOE" (USCIS, Instructions for Form I-90). And "if you do not have a receipt number that begins with IOE, you do not have an OAN."
That is worth pausing on, because IOE receipts usually come with online filing. If all your earlier filings had receipts that began with other letters, such as those in the glossary list (EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC or MSC), the instructions suggest you do not have one yet. Our guide to USCIS case status explains receipt numbers.
Where do you find it?
There are two places, depending on how you filed (USCIS, Instructions for Form I-90):
| How you filed | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Online | "In your account profile" |
| By mail | "At the top of the Account Access Notice we sent you" |
The Form I-485 instructions use the same wording (USCIS, Instructions for Form I-485). If you cannot log in, use the account recovery options on the login page, or see USCIS's account help pages. If you cannot find the notice, your attorney may have it, since the notice may have gone to them.
How is it different from your other numbers?
It is one of three numbers people often mix up.
| Number | What it identifies | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| USCIS Online Account Number | Your online account | Account profile or Account Access Notice |
| A-Number | You, across your immigration records | Notices and cards; "It begins with an" A |
| Receipt number | One application or petition | Your I-797 notice; 13 characters |
USCIS says "the OAN is not the same as an A-Number" (USCIS, Instructions for Form I-90). A green card also shows a USCIS number, and the glossary describes the "unique, 9-digit number assigned to an alien by the Department of Homeland Security" as being on cards issued after May 10, 2010. Our guide to the A-Number explains that number.
What do you write if you do not have one?
Follow the field's instructions. On the Form I-485, the field is labeled "USCIS Online Account Number (if any)." If you do not have one, do not make one up, and do not put your A-Number or receipt number there. Forms often say that if a question does not apply, you should type or print N/A unless otherwise directed. Read the section on completing the form of the specific form's instructions, because a form's own rule always comes first. Our guide to Form I-485 has more on that form.
How do you create a USCIS online account?
It takes a few steps. USCIS's page lists them (USCIS, How to Create a USCIS Online Account):
- Go to the sign up page.
- "Enter your email address and click" Sign Up.
- Confirm your account through the email message. USCIS says to check your spam folder if you do not see it within 10 minutes.
- Review the terms of use.
- Create a password of "at least eight characters in length," with an upper case letter, a lower case letter and a special character.
- Choose how to receive a verification code.
- Enter the code.
- Save your backup code, and USCIS says to "keep it in a safe place."
An account gives you a place to file and track. "Once you have an account, you will be able to file forms and pay fees from your computer, phone, or tablet." It also shows case details. USCIS says the account lets you "receive your most recent case updates including up to the last five actions on your case" (USCIS, Checking Your Case Status Online).
Creating an account does not by itself create an OAN that you need to list. The instructions tie it to having filed with an IOE receipt.
Can you share an account with your spouse or a helper?
No. USCIS says "do not create a shared account with anyone. Your USCIS online account is only for you. Individual accounts allow us to best serve you and protect your personal information" (USCIS, How to Create a USCIS Online Account). Attorneys and accredited representatives use a separate kind of account. Employers filing H-1B registrations need an organizational account, as our guide to H-1B registration explains.
What should you do about security?
Treat your account like a bank login. USCIS requires a "one-time verification code" every time you log in, and it encourages receiving it by both email and text message. Do not give your password to anyone who offers to check your case for you. If someone has filed for you and the account is under their control, ask your attorney how notices and access will work. Keep your backup code somewhere safe, because losing your phone can lock you out.
Be careful about scam messages too. USCIS warns about scams on its site, and a real login page should be on a .gov domain. If an email asks for your password or asks you to pay through an unusual link, go directly to the official website instead of following the link.
What if your address or email changes?
Keep them up to date. USCIS says it will "send all email communications to this address," meaning the one on your account. A separate rule covers your mailing address: "Aliens must report any change of address within 10 days of moving," and you can do that online (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 11, Part A, Ch. 2). Our guide to Form AR-11 has more.
What this means for you
- Check your past receipt numbers: no IOE prefix generally means no OAN.
- Look in your account profile or Account Access Notice if you do have one.
- Never use your A-Number in the OAN field, or the other way around.
- Keep one account, and do not share it.
- Save your backup code somewhere safe.
Where to start
Sorting out your numbers is one small step. If you are also planning a green card route, our free evaluation at /evaluate/ checks whether EB-1A or the NIW fits your profile, and Frank, our AI assistant at /frank, helps you build the evidence. Petitions are reviewed and filed by our partner law firm, Lai & Turner.
Sources
All checked October 31, 2026.
- USCIS, Glossary. Definition of the OAN; USCIS number on cards.
- USCIS, Instructions for Form I-90. Who has an OAN; where to find it; not an A-Number.
- USCIS, Instructions for Form I-485. Same rule; field labeling.
- USCIS, How to Create a USCIS Online Account. Steps; individual accounts; verification.
- USCIS, Checking Your Case Status Online. Account features.
- USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 11, Part A, Ch. 2. Address changes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a USCIS Online Account Number?
It is a unique identification number issued by the USCIS online filing system account. USCIS says you should have one account number for all cases you submit. It appears on many forms, where it is usually optional if you do not have one. It is different from your A-Number and from your case receipt number.
Where do I find my USCIS Online Account Number?
USCIS form instructions say that if you filed the form online, you can find it in your account profile. If you mailed the form, you can find it at the top of the Account Access Notice USCIS sent you. If you do not have a receipt number beginning with IOE, you do not have an Online Account Number.
What do I put if I don't have a USCIS Online Account Number?
On many forms, you can leave the field blank or follow its instructions, such as writing N/A or None if the form asks for that. The Form I-485 labels it as if any. USCIS says you will only have one if you previously filed a form with an IOE receipt number. Do not guess a number or use your A-Number instead.
Is the USCIS account number the same as the A-Number?
No. USCIS instructions say plainly that the Online Account Number is not the same as an A-Number. The A-Number is your alien registration number and identifies your immigration records. The receipt number identifies one filing. The Online Account Number relates to your USCIS online account. Forms often ask for each of them separately.
Can I have two USCIS online accounts?
USCIS says you should have one account number for all cases submitted and tells you not to create a shared account, because your account is only for you. If you created more than one by mistake, USCIS's online account help pages explain what to do. Keep track of the email address you used, since that is your login.
Green Card Guide AI is not a law firm and this article is not legal advice. It describes evidence-building strategy in general terms; your attorney determines what belongs in your petition and how it's argued.
