Skip to content

Receipt number (USCIS case number): what it is

Updated: Author:

Receipt number: definition

Key answer

The receipt number is your USCIS case number: three letters plus digits, printed on the I-797 receipt notice. You use it to check status in the USCIS tracker and to file any inquiry. The first three letters (WAC, EAC, SRC, LIN, IOE) show which service center handles the case.

The number is assigned when the petition is accepted - status Case Was Received. Ship the package with tracking and keep the proof until the receipt notice arrives. A USCIS online account lets you link the case by number and get status-change notifications automatically.

Any USCIS Contact Center or e-Request inquiry needs the receipt number, petition type and dates of key notices. At the consular stage a different number is used - the NVC case number in CEAC.

Receipt number: the official definition

“The receipt number is a unique 13-character identifier USCIS provides for each application or petition it receives. We use it to identify and track our cases. The receipt number consists of 3 letters, such as EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC or IOE, with 10 numbers.”

USCIS Glossary (uscis.gov), read 2026-10-11. Quoted verbatim.

Receipt number: the official source

Receipt number: what to do - tools

Receipt number: read next

Receipt number: documents and templates from the library

Receipt number: from community discussions

  • «Under recent USCIS rule changes, scholarly articles don't have to be strictly academic: depending on your field, this can include a conference talk or taking part in exhibitions.»

    community member · from public community chats

  • «Your activity should be ongoing: competitions, judging, media, participating in events - to prove the sustained, continuing nature of your work.»

    community member · from public community chats

  • «If you're a member of an organization and attach this - it'll count toward well-advanced. Or it won't count, if the officer has a question about this organization. It's like with articles: it can be 0, or it can be 100.»

    Anna · from public community chats

Personal opinions of community members from public discussions, not legal advice.

Receipt number: related terms

All glossary terms

A reference definition, not legal advice. Requirements and procedures depend on your case - verify on uscis.gov.

Did this answer help?