Green Card Replacement
Replacing a Lost or Stolen Green Card
Can I expedite my green card replacement?
Officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, your green card is physical proof of your right to live and work in the United States. It's also an essential document for re-entering the United States after a trip abroad, obtaining employment, getting a home loan, and even renewing a driver's license. In fact, you are legally required to carry proof of your permanent resident status with you if you are age 18 or older. Even after you've submitted the green card replacement application, it will likely take several months to get a new card. However, there is a solution to help you get temporary proof of your permanent resident status relatively quickly.
Application for Green Card Replacement
How do I replace a green card?
Permanent residents use Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, to replace or renew a green card. By law, permanent residents age 18 and older must have a valid, unexpired green card (or equivalent identification) at all times. Valid reasons to use this application include:
- Your card was lost, stolen or destroyed
- Your card was issued but never received
- Your name or other biographic information has been legally changed
- Your card was mutilated
- You have a prior edition of the Alien Registration Card
- Your card has incorrect data
- You have reached your 14th birthday and are registering as required
- Your existing card has already expired or will expire within six months
It's important to know that you generally must be physically present in the United States to replace a green card. If you're outside the United States and have lost a green card, you likely must file Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation), to obtain temporary travel documentation for the purpose of boarding a transportation carrier and returning to the United States.
Steps to Obtain Temporary Proof of Permanent Residence
Can I get a temporary green card?
Our customers generally report shorter processing times, but typical Form I-90 processing times exceed 8 months. You may need more urgent proof of permanent resident status to travel abroad, renew a driver’s license, get a new job, or apply for a mortgage. In these cases, you can get temporary proof. It's not a temporary green card, but it is valid evidence of of your status and is the equivalent of a card.
You will need a valid, unexpired passport from your home country. If yours is expired, you'll need to renew it through your country's consulate in the United States. Follow these steps to quickly get proof of permanent residence.
Prepare and File Form I-90
For green card replacement, you'll need to file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and a $540 filing fee with USCIS. You may download the application directly from USCIS.gov and prepare it on your own. Or use CitizenPath's Green Card Renewal/Replacement Package to make it easy. We provide a low-cost service that helps you prepare the application in about 15 minutes. The service helps to eliminate common I-90 errors, delays and rejections. We even guarantee USCIS approval.
Get Your Receipt Number
When filing Form I-90, also submit Form G-1145. You'll receive a text or email notification within 24 hours of USCIS accepting your application. This notification contains your receipt number that you'll need for the next step. Note that "acceptance" happens after USCIS receives and reviews your application for completeness. So it may take a few days to get this receipt number.
If you don't receive an electronic notification, USCIS will also mail you Form I-797, Notice of Action, approximately two weeks later. This “receipt notice” contains your receipt number.
Schedule a USCIS Appointment
Call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to request an in-person "Infopass" appointment at the USCIS office near you. Stress the urgency of your situation. If you have an urgent need to travel abroad, use your tickets as evidence. If you have a sick relative, try to get a doctor's note or other evidence demonstrating the situation and urgent need to travel. Likewise, get a job offer letter if you need proof for employment. In the case of a home loan, take your mortgage company's requirements and evidence of the real estate purchase offer.
Some offices are very busy and appointments may not be convenient. Be flexible.
Attend USCIS Infopass Appointment
Appear at your local USCIS office for the scheduled appointment. With proof that you've started the green card replacement process and evidence of an urgent need, the USCIS officer can give you temporary proof of your status. The officer will generally add an I-551 stamp to your passport. Also called an Alien Documentation Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp, you may use the stamped passport just like a green card.
Be sure to take the following items to the appointment:
- Valid, unexpired passport
- Copy of most recent green card (if available)
- InfoPass appointment notice (if available)
- Form I-797 Notice of Action (I-90 receipt notice)
- Evidence of urgent need (e.g. airline tickets/receipt, doctor’s letter, job offer, mortgage documents, etc.)
Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
Use Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) to replace a green card that was lost, stolen or damaged. Each year, USCIS rejects or denies thousands of I-90 applications. Therefore, it's important to get it right.
* Data based on USCIS Forms Data and Lockbox Rejection Data.
How CitizenPath Helps You with Green Card Replacement
Where can I get a replacement green card?
CitizenPath's affordable, online service makes it easy to prepare Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Designed by immigration lawyers, the Green Card Renewal/Replacement Package helps you eliminate the common errors that create delays, rejections and even denials. That's because the service alerts you when your answer to a question may be a problem. You'll also get customized filing instructions based on your situation. It's a powerful, do-it-yourself tool that puts you in control. And we've got your back -- CitizenPath provides live customer support and provides a money-back guarantee that USCIS will approve the application. Get started >>
STEP 1 | Check Eligibility | |
We're going to ask you a few questions to make sure you're eligible and preparing the correct form. | ||
STEP 2 | Prepare Form I-90 | |
Our software will guide you through the I-90 application using simple step-by-step instructions. | ||
STEP 3 | Download, Print and File | |
Once you're completely satisfied, you’ll be able to print your I-90 and customized filing instructions. | ||
