Green Card Replacement: How to Replace Your Green Card in the United States
When you become a lawful permanent resident (LPR) in the United States, you will receive a green card, which is proof of your LPR status and your ability to live and work permanently in the U.S.
If your green card is lost, damaged, misplaced, or stolen, it’s time to get a new one through the green card replacement process. Aside from those reasons, there are many other circumstances that require you to replace green card documents, including name changes, incorrect information, or expiration.
Many people ask, “what do I do if I lost my green card?”, or “how to replace my green card”, especially when they realize a lost green card can affect work authorization and travel plans.
Replacing your green card is not only a matter of convenience but also a legal necessity. Your Permanent Resident Card is the primary proof of your lawful status in the United States. Without it, everyday tasks such as verifying employment eligibility, reentering the country after travel, or completing government processes can become significantly more difficult.
In these situations, understanding the green card replacement process can help you avoid unnecessary delays, penalties, or disruptions to your daily life.
Delaying a green card replacement can lead to unnecessary complications, including issues with employers completing Form I-9 or problems at ports of entry when returning to the United States. Taking prompt action helps protect your status and ensures you maintain uninterrupted proof of lawful permanent residence. Understanding how the replacement process works, what documentation is required, and when professional guidance may be helpful can prevent costly mistakes and extended delays.
Here is how and when to replace your green card.
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Green Card Replacement, aka “How to Replace My Green Card”
To start the application process to replace your green card, for both permanent residents and conditional permanent residents, you must file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, which you can do by mail or online.
Processing may take several months. You can check online for the processing times for USCIS forms. Once the agency approves your application, you’ll be mailed a new green card.
When filing Form I-90, it is important to ensure that all information matches your most recent immigration records. Even minor inconsistencies, such as formatting errors in names or dates, can trigger delays or requests for additional evidence. Applicants replacing a lost green card or damaged card should carefully select the correct filing category, as USCIS evaluates each request based on the specific reason for replacement.
After submission, USCIS issues a receipt notice confirming that your green card replacement application has been received. This notice serves as preliminary evidence that you are actively replacing your card and should be kept with your records. Applicants may also be scheduled for a biometrics appointment, where fingerprints and photographs are collected to verify identity.
If you believe your green card was stolen, report it to the police and include a copy of the police report when filing Form I-90 for a green card replacement.
If USCIS requires further documentation, a Request for Evidence may be issued. Responding accurately and within the stated deadline is essential to avoid denial. Many applicants seeking guidance on “how to replace my green card” choose to work with an immigration attorney to reduce errors, especially when prior immigration issues.
When to Replace Green Card?
If your green card is lost, severely damaged, destroyed, stolen, or expired, it’s obvious that it will need to be replaced.
Other reasons for a replacement card include:
- Your card contains inaccurate information
- Your name or biographic information has changed
- You didn’t receive the previous green card that was sent to you
There are many other instances (that don’t apply to conditional green cards) when USCIS requires that you replace your green card, including when:
- You obtained your green card before the age of 14, and you’re now turning 14 (LPRs who turn 14 years old must obtain a new green card)
- You’ve been a permanent resident living in the U.S. and have now become a “commuter,” which means you reside in Mexico or Canada and work in the U.S.
- You’ve been a commuter and have now taken up residence in the U.S.
There are also less obvious situations where replacing your green card may be necessary. For example, normal wear and tear that renders the card unreadable may justify replacement, even if the card is not fully destroyed. Similarly, technological updates to card design or security features may require certain long-term residents to obtain updated versions of the card.
If your green card has incorrect information due to a USCIS error, you may be eligible for a green card replacement without paying the standard green card replacement fee. However, proof of the original agency error is required. Understanding whether a replacement is mandatory or optional in your situation can prevent unnecessary filings and costs. When in doubt, consulting with an immigration professional can help clarify whether you should replace green card immediately or whether alternative documentation may temporarily suffice.
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How Much Is the Green Card Replacement Fee?
At the time of this writing, USCIS charges a $465 fee to process Form I-90.
Certain applicants may qualify for a fee waiver when replacing a green card. USCIS considers fee waiver requests based on financial hardship, receipt of means-tested public benefits, or income below a specified threshold. Requests must be supported with detailed documentation and submitted using the appropriate waiver form.
USCIS periodically adjusts its fees, so you may want to check the fee to process your USCIS form.
How to Prove You’re a Green Card Holder While Processing Your Green Card Replacement
If you’ve lost your green card and need proof of your LPR status while waiting for a replacement, you can obtain an ADIT stamp, also called an “I-551 stamp,” after filing Form I-90 (Form I-551 is the Permanent Resident Card, aka green card). Placed in your unexpired passport, this stamp serves as temporary proof of your lawful permanent resident status and acts as your green card replacement until your new card arrives.
How Do You Get an ADIT Stamp?
You can obtain an ADIT stamp by placing a call to the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 and speaking to a representative to schedule an appointment to receive an ADIT stamp. The USCIS representative can advise you about which documents to bring to the appointment, which may include:
- An unexpired passport
- The receipt notice you received after you filed Form I-90 (Form I-797, Notice of Action)
- A copy of the front and back of your lost or stolen green card (if it’s possible)
An unexpired Form I-551 stamp in a valid passport is as effective as having a physical, unexpired green card in hand, and it will serve as valid proof (for up to a year) of your status as a lawful permanent resident who can travel outside of the United States and reenter. Your Form I-551 stamp is a valid I-9 document for employment as well.
If you urgently need to travel outside of the U.S., consider bringing documents to the appointment for the ADIT stamp that demonstrate your pressing need for the stamp. These might include business correspondence, airline tickets, a travel itinerary, or a health document about a sick relative.
After you’re approved for the stamp, it will be imprinted in your unexpired passport or placed on your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
What Should You Do if You Lose Your Green Card While Traveling Abroad?
An unexpired Form I-551 stamp in a valid passport is as effective as having a physical, unexpired green card in hand, and it will serve as valid proof (for up to a year) of your status as a lawful permanent resident who can travel outside of the United States and reenter. Your Form I-551 stamp is a valid I-9 document for employment as well.
If you urgently need to travel outside of the U.S., consider bringing documents to the appointment for the ADIT stamp that demonstrate your pressing need for the stamp. These might include business correspondence, airline tickets, a travel itinerary, or a health document about a sick relative.
After you’re approved for the stamp, it will be imprinted in your unexpired passport or placed on your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
Need to Replace a Lost or Stolen Green Card? Talk to an Immigration Attorney
If you need to replace your green card, contact Warren Law Firm to schedule a consultation. Our team can answer your questions and provide the guidance you need to help you get a new permanent resident card.
