Where to Find Your USCIS Receipt Number on I-797, Text Message, or Online Account
The first time I needed to check my case status, I had no idea what a "receipt number" actually was or where to look for it. I searched through my email, dug through mail, and still wasn't sure I had the right number. If you're in the same situation — you know you filed, you're waiting, and you just need the number — this is the straightforward guide I wish I had.
Your USCIS receipt number is a 13-character code that looks like NBC2512345678 or IOE0912345678. You need it to check your case status on the USCIS website, use tracking tools, or call USCIS. Here's exactly where to find it.
Where to Find Your Receipt Number: 4 Places to Check
Form I-797C (Receipt Notice) — Most Reliable
This is a paper notice USCIS mails to your address after accepting your application. Look at the top-right section of the notice — there's a box labeled "Receipt Number" or "Case Number." The 13-character code starting with letters (NBC, IOE, EAC, WAC, etc.) followed by 10 digits is your receipt number.
The I-797C also shows your form type (I-485, I-765, etc.), filing date, and the address USCIS has on file. Keep this document in a safe place — it's the most authoritative source.
USCIS Text or Email Notification
If you signed up for case notifications, USCIS will text or email you when your receipt number is assigned. The message typically arrives within 2–4 weeks of filing and says something like: "USCIS has accepted your [form type] and assigned receipt number [13-character code]."
Search your inbox for "USCIS" or "receipt number." The number appears in plain text in the body of the message.
⚠️ Text notifications come from a USCIS short code, not a personal phone number. If you didn't sign up for notifications when you filed, you may not have received one. Check your paper I-797C instead.
USCIS Online Account
If you or your attorney filed online through myUSCIS, your receipt number appears in your account dashboard under "My Cases." Log in at my.uscis.gov and look for your pending or active applications — the receipt number is listed next to each case.
Note: Paper-filed applications are not always linked automatically to an online account. If you don't see your case there, check options 1 or 2 instead.
Your Attorney or Representative
If an immigration attorney or accredited representative filed on your behalf, they have your receipt number. Contact them directly — they're required to provide you with a copy of the Receipt Notice and the receipt number.
What Does a Receipt Number Look Like?
A USCIS receipt number is always 13 characters: 3 letters followed by 10 digits.
| Format | Example | Filing type |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-filed | NBC2512345678 | Mailed application (I-485, I-130, etc.) |
| Online-filed | IOE0912345678 | Submitted through myUSCIS portal |
The first 3 letters identify the service center processing your case (NBC = National Benefits Center, EAC = Vermont Service Center, WAC = California Service Center, etc.). The digits after that encode your fiscal year, filing date estimate, and a unique case ID.
🔍 Once you have your receipt number, paste it into the Receipt Decoder on this site to see your service center, estimated filing date, and current status — all in one place.
What If You Can't Find Your Receipt Number?
If you've checked your mail, email, and online account and still can't find a receipt number, there are a few possibilities:
- Your application is still in transit or being processed. USCIS can take 2–6 weeks to mail a Receipt Notice after receiving your package. If you filed recently, wait a bit longer.
- Your I-797C went to a different address. USCIS mails it to the address on your application. If you moved or made an error, it may have gone elsewhere.
- Your check hasn't cleared yet. USCIS processes payment before assigning a receipt number. Check your bank account to confirm they cashed your filing fee check.
- Your application was rejected, not refused. If USCIS rejected (not denied) your application without accepting it, you may not have received a receipt number at all — they would have returned your package.
How to Request a Duplicate Receipt Notice
If your I-797C was lost in the mail or you never received it, you can contact USCIS to request a duplicate. Call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 and ask for a copy of your Receipt Notice. Have your full name, date of birth, and the form type you filed ready. Alternatively, submit a case inquiry online through myUSCIS.
⚠️ USCIS does not allow you to look up a receipt number by name or Social Security Number on their public website. You must already have the number to check status — which is why getting that I-797C matters.
What to Do After You Find Your Receipt Number
Once you have your receipt number, here's how to use it:
- Check case status on USCIS.gov: Go to egov.uscis.gov/casestatus and enter your receipt number to see the current public status message.
- Decode the receipt number: Use the Receipt Decoder here to see which service center has your case, estimate your filing date from the digits, and understand what the prefix means.
- Set up notifications: On myUSCIS, you can enroll to receive text/email alerts whenever your case status changes — so you don't need to refresh manually.
- Check the event log: The Case Parser on this site shows additional detail beyond the public status, including internal event codes that can indicate where your case is in the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions
My receipt number starts with MSC — is that the same as NBC?
MSC is an older prefix for the National Benefits Center (NBC), used on cases filed before the prefix was updated. If you see MSC, treat it the same as NBC for service center purposes.
I have multiple receipt numbers — which one do I use?
If you filed multiple forms together (like I-485 + I-765 + I-131), each form gets its own receipt number. Use the one for the form you want to check — typically I-485 for your green card, I-765 for your EAD card. They're all valid and track separate applications.
Can my receipt number change?
In most cases, your receipt number stays the same throughout processing. If your case is transferred to a different service center, USCIS may issue a new receipt number with a different prefix, or keep the original. You'll receive a new I-797C notice if a new number is assigned.
The USCIS website says "Case Not Found" — what's wrong?
Double-check for typos. Receipt numbers are case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as printed — no spaces, no dashes. If you're certain you've entered it correctly and still see "Case Not Found," call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to verify the number.