Document Types

Documents to prove immigration status

When you apply for health insurance at the Marketplace, you'll need to provide some information about you and your household, including your immigrant status. You will be asked to provide proof that you are eligible to use the Marketplace.

There are many possible documents that can be used to provide this proof. Scroll down to learn more about each document.

• Green Card (I-151)
• Re-entry Permit (I-327)
• Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
• Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• Machine Readable Immigrant Visa (I-551 temporary)
• Temporary I-551 stamp
• Arrival / Departure Record (I-94)
• Foreign Passport
• Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student (I-20)
• Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (DS2019)
• Notice of Action (I-797)
• Indian Tribe
• Victim of Trafficking
• Cuban /Haitian Entrant
• American Samoa
• Others
• How to Enter Document Information
• What to do if Having Trouble Entering Information

♦ On your application, select the document type from the drop-down list that corresponds with your most current documentation and status.

Try to find and enter as many fields as possible, even though some fields may be labeled “optional,” to make the process go smoother and faster.

♦ The page talks about alien numbers. These numbers are sometimes called “alien registration numbers” or “USCIS numbers.”

Alien numbers start with an “A” and end with 7-9 digits. If the Alien number is 7 or 8 digits, add 1 or 2 zeroes (“0” or “00”) at the beginning so the number is 9 digits.

If you have a:

Permanent resident card, “Green Card,” (I-551)

You’ll need your alien number and card number (also called receipt number) from your document.

Permanent Resident Cards are issued to lawful permanent residents.

A lawful permanent resident (LPR) or “Green Card” recipient is a person who isn’t a U.S. citizen, but who’s residing in the U.S. under legally recognized and lawfully recorded permanent residence as an immigrant.

If you’re a lawful permanent resident, you should use this document to show eligible immigration status, if possible.

To verify your eligible immigration status, enter the alien number, which is listed under the heading “A#” or “USCIS#.”

Also enter the I-551 card number, which is listed on either the front or back of the card and starts with 3 letters and ends with 10 numbers.

To verify your status, the Marketplace will need both the alien number and the I-551 card number. If you have trouble finding these numbers, check on the back of the card. Some older cards may not list both numbers.

You can enter your I-551 card number without entering your Social Security Number (SSN) if you don’t have one yet, because it isn’t necessary to enter your SSN to get Marketplace coverage.

Reentry permit (I-327)

You’ll need your alien registration number (also called USCIS number) from your document.

Re-entry permits (or I-327s), when valid, allow permanent residents to leave and re-enter the U.S.

These permits are located in multi-purpose booklets called “U.S. Travel Documents.”

Enter the alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number), which starts with an “A” and ends with 8 or 9 numbers.

This number is located at the top, right-hand side of the document.

Refugee travel document (I-571)

You’ll need your alien registration number (also called USCIS number) from your document.

Refugee Travel Documents (or I-571s) may be issued to refugees and asylees for travel purposes.

These permits should be located in multi-purpose booklets called “U.S. Travel Documents.”

Enter the alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number), which starts with an “A” and ends with 8 or 9 numbers.

This number is located at the top, right-hand side of the document.

Employment authorization card (I-766)

You’ll need your alien registration number (also called USCIS number), card number, expiration date, and category code from your document.

Employment Authorization Cards (or I-766s) are issued to some people who are authorized to work temporarily in the U.S.

Enter the alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number), which starts with an “A” and ends with 8 or 9 numbers.

Also enter the card expiration date, as listed on the card. If you have trouble finding these numbers, check on the back of the card. Some older cards may not list both numbers.

If you have an expired copy of your I-766, but you’ve renewed it, enter all of the document information you have, including information from the expired card.

Machine readable immigrant visa (with temporary I-551 language)

You’ll need your alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number), passport number, and country of issuance from your document.

Machine-readable immigrant visas (MRIVs) with temporary I-551 language are documents indicating permanent resident status.

Enter the alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number), which may start with an “A” and end with 8 or 9 numbers.

Some MRIVs may not have an “A” before the number. Also enter the passport number.

Temporary I-551 stamp (on passport or I-94 / I-94A)

You’ll need your alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number) from your document.

Temporary I-551 stamps can be used to attest to permanent resident status.

A temporary I-551 stamp will have a handwritten or stamped issue date and a “valid until” date.

This stamp can be found on the front of an I-94 form or in the foreign passport.

Enter the alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number), which starts with an “A” and ends with 8 or 9 numbers.

Arrival / Departure record (I-94 / I-94A)

You’ll need your I-94 number from your document.

I-94 Arrival/Departure Records are issued to foreign travelers when they enter the U.S.

The bottom portion of the I-94 should be stapled to the passport. Enter the I-94 number, which is usually found at the top, left-hand side of the form.

An I-94 paper form will no longer be provided upon arrival to the U.S. at most air and sea ports of entry, except in limited circumstances.

Arrival / Departure record in foreign passport (I-94)

You’ll need your I-94 number, passport number, expiration date, and country of issuance from your document.

I-94 Arrival/Departure Records are issued to foreign travelers when they enter the U.S.

The bottom portion of the I-94 should be stapled to the foreign passport.

Enter the I-94 number, which is usually found at the top, left-hand side of the form.

Also enter the passport number, expiration date, and country of issuance.

Foreign passport

You’ll need your passport number, expiration date, and country of issuance from your document.

Passports from foreign countries are used when entering the U.S.

Enter the passport number, passport expiration date, and country of issuance.

Certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status (I-20)

You’ll need your SEVIS ID from your document.

I-20 Certificates of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status are the documents that support applications for student visa statuses (F-1s or F-2s).

Enter the SEVIS ID number, which is located at the top, right-hand side of the document.

Certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor status (DS2019)

You’ll need your SEVIS ID from your document.

Certificates of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (DS-2019s) are the documents that support applications for exchange visitor visa statuses (J-1s or J-2s).

Enter the SEVIS ID number, which is located at the top, right-hand side of the document.

Notice of action (I-797)

You’ll need your alien registration number (also called USCIS number) or your I-94 number from your document.

Notices of Action (I-797s) are communication from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service about immigration benefits.

I-797s can be used for different purposes, like an approval notice, receipt notice, or a replacement for an I-94.

Sometimes these notices have other documents attached to them, like I-360s (petitions for Amerasian, widow(er), or special immigrant statuses).

If you’ve been issued a new immigration benefit or had the duration of your stay in the U.S. extended, you’ll be issued an I-797 with a tear-away I-94 at the bottom.

You should enter your I-94 number.

Another type of document

Select “Other.” You’ll need your alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number) or your I-94 number.

You’ll also need to describe the type or name of your document.

If you said you have another document or status type (that isn’t on the list above), you’ll be asked to select which of these document types you have.

Document indicating a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe

• or American Indian born in Canada

There are a several documents that can show you’re a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or that you’re an American Indian born in Canada, including membership cards, letters, or other tribal documents.

For American Indians born in Canada, this could also include a birth certificate or other evidence of being born in Canada.

You’ll need to upload your document later on in the application process.

Certification from HHS or ORR

HHS — Health and Human Services

ORR — Office of Refugee Resettlement

This is a certification letter from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement that’s issued to an individual who is a victim of a severe form of trafficking. These letters state victims are eligible for benefits and services.

Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) eligibility letter (if under 18)

This is a letter from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement and indicates a child is a victim of a severe form of trafficking.

These letters state victims are eligible for benefits and services. You’ll need to upload your document later on in the application process.

Cuban / Haitian entrant

People who are “Cuban or Haitian entrants” must be Cuban or Haitian and may include one of these, for example:

Granted parole into the U.S.

Have an application for asylum pending with USCIS.

Granted special status under the immigration laws for nationals of Cuba or Haiti.

Are a subject of removal proceedings? If you’re Cuban or Haitian or you’re not sure, you can select this, and we can check our data sources.

Document indicating withholding of removal

• Withholding of deportation

There are several documents that might show withholding of removal or deportation.

Resident of American Samoa

• A document showing you’re a resident of, or live in, American Samoa. You’ll need to upload your document later on in the application process.

Administrative order staying removal

• Issued by the Department of Homeland Security

A document from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing you got an order staying removal or deportation. There are several documents that might show you have an administrative order staying removal issued by DHS.

Other

If you don’t see your document or status type listed, describe or enter the name of another type of immigration document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or Customs and Border Protection. If you select “Other,” you’ll be asked to enter:

• Description: Provide the name or describe the type of document you have.

• Alien number or I-94 number: Enter either the alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number), which starts with an “A” and ends with 8 or 9 numbers, or the I-94 number, which is 11 digits, listed on the immigration document.

• None of these: Select this if nothing on this list applies to you. You can continue through the application without selecting a document or status.

To verify your status using only an alien number or I-94 number

Select “Other documents or status types” from the document-type drop-down. Then, check the “Other” box.

A field will appear asking you to provide a description of the type of document you have that supports your status and to select whether you have an alien number or an I-94 number. Enter this number into the document number field that will appear.

If you have immediate access to all of the document numbers that listed on HealthCare.gov for your document type (for example, alien number and card number), select that document in the drop-down list and enter both numbers.

If you have more than one current immigration document

Select one that contains an alien number (also called alien registration or USCIS number), if possible.

See below for more detailed information on these document types.

If you have temporary protected status (TPS)

You may have an automatic extension of your status, even if your document is expired.

If you need help finding information on your document, check on the back of the document. Some older documents may not list all numbers.

If you need help completing this section, call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596.

If you don’t think your immigration record correctly shows your status

You can still upload your documents and continue with your application.

To get your record updated, you can make an InfoPass appointment with a USCIS representative or review your records, or you can submit a written request.

For more information, visit uscis.gov/save and select “For Benefit Applications” then “How to Correct Your Records.”

Or, you can call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

How do I enter document information?

When you enter your document type, you may need to enter one or more of these fields:

Alien number: The alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number) can be found on the immigration document. It starts with an “A” and ends with 8 or 9 numbers. If you also have a card number, you should enter both, if possible. If you have a card number, but don’t enter it, it will take longer to verify your status.

Card number: The card number can be found on several immigration documents, including the I-766 Employment Authorization Card and the I-551 Lawful Permanent Resident Card. If you also have an alien number or if other document information is requested, you should enter all, if possible. If you have a card number, but don’t enter it, it will take longer to verify your status.

I-94 number: The I-94 number (also called the admission number) is printed on the I-94 or I-94A. This is an 11-digit number and is usually found at the top, left-hand side of the document. Note: In some cases, Customs and Border Protection may have struck out the pre-printed I-94 number and hand-written a different number on the form. If this is the case, enter the hand-written number.

Passport number: The passport number can be found on the passport.

Country of issuance: Select the country which issued the passport.

Passport expiration date: Enter the date the passport will expire. The expiration date should be listed on the document.

SEVIS ID number: The SEVIS ID (Form I-20 or DS2019) is located at the top, right-hand corner of the document.

Document expiration date: Enter the expiration date listed on the document.

Category code: Enter the 3-digit code listed on the employment authorization document. This code starts with an “A,” “B,” or “C.”

What if I have trouble finding or entering these fields?

I’m getting errors

♦ If you have trouble finding your document or a number on your document, but you know your alien or I-94 number

Select “Other documents or status types” when asked to select your document.

Then, you’ll see another drop-down list where you should select “Other.”

Then, enter a description of your document in the text field and your alien and/or I-94 number.

♦ If you have trouble finding information on your document or you’re getting errors when trying to submit your application

Answer “Yes” if you have eligible immigration status when asked this question, then continue your application without entering your document numbers.

If you don’t enter your document information, you may be asked to provide a copy of your document after you submit your application.

If so, you can upload it to “My Account” or mail it to the address below.

You’ll get faster results if you upload your document, instead of mail it.

Health Insurance Marketplace Dept. of Health and Human Services 465 Industrial Blvd. London, KY 40750-0001

If you need help finding information on your document or help completing this section, call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596.

 

Source: HealthCare.gov, CMS, HHS