Most of the information on the card is self-evident. The computer and human readable signature at the bottom is not. The format is (digit range - information contained): First line:
1-2: Not documented, assumed to be location of receipt
3-4: US (United States)
5: A (start of INS A number)
6-14: The A number (A#)
15: Not documented, assumed to be a check-number
16-30: Immigrant case number that resulted in approved green card. The "<" symbol represents a blank space.
Second line:
1-6: Birth date (YYMMDD)
7: Not documented, assumed to be a check digit.
8: Not documented, assumed to be sex.
9-14: Expiration Date
15: Not documented, assumed to be a check digit.
16-29: Country of Birth
30: Not documented, assumed to be a check digit.
Third line: Last name, first name, middle name, first initial of father, first initial of mother. This line is spaced with "<" between each portion of the name. Name can be truncated.
my green card didn't have first initial of father, first initial of mother. is it normal?