How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Green Card?

Have you lost your Green Card? Has it been stolen or damaged, or is the information incorrect? If this is the case, you can replace it using Form I-90. You can also fill out Form I-90 if your Green Card will expire in six months, has already expired, or if your name or other information has been legally changed. A Green Card is proof of your lawful permanent resident status in the United States.

Without a Green Card replacement, you may face numerous difficulties in the US. This blog will help you understand the steps for the Green Card Renewal process.

Green Card Renewal or Replacement Process

Form I-90 is used to renew or replace a Permanent Resident Card. You can download Form I-90 from the USCIS website or request that a paper copy be mailed to your physical address by calling USCIS.

Filing Form I-90

Online Filing

• You must create an account at myUSCIS and file Form I-90 electronically.
• You can upload the required documents and pay the applicable fees through the payment mode that suits you.
• You can also track your Green Card status in real time.
• Filing this form online is a much better way because the applications are processed more efficiently.

Paper Filing

• Download the form from the USCIS website and fill it carefully.
• Mail the completed form to the USCIS lockbox.
• Make sure to include a check or money order for the filing fee. Do not use cash.
• If you have completed either of the above steps correctly, you will get a receipt notice from the USCIS.
• This confirms your application was accepted.
• The receipt notice, along with your expired or damaged Green Card, serves as temporary proof of your permanent status.
• This is valid for up to 24 months while your replacement card is being processed.

Form I-90 Cost

• $465 is the current filing cost for Form I-90. There is no separate biometrics fee since USCIS removed it for most applications in the April 2024 fee rule update.
• If you are unable to afford the filing fee, you are eligible for a fee waiver by filing Form I-912.
• These are for applicants who receive means-tested benefits, have household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or can prove financial hardship.
• You are exempt from paying fees if your card contains a USCIS error.
• You must file Form I-90 and include a cover letter explaining that USCIS made the error. Include a copy of your incorrect card.

When Should You Renew Your Green Card instead of Replacing it?

USCIS uses Form I-90 for both Green Card renewals and replacements. USCIS recommends filing the renewal form approximately 6 months before your card expires.

• If your card expires while your renewal is pending, an I-797C receipt notice extends the validity of your expired card.
• It acts as proof of status for 24 months from the card's original expiration date.
• If your Green Card is expired, it does not mean you have lost your permanent residence status.
• Your status will remain indefinitely unless it is revoked through abandonment or removal proceedings.
• A Green Card is just proof of that status, which needs to be renewed every 10 years. (every 2 years for conditional residents)

How to Navigate Challenging Questions in Form I-90?

There are certain questions that the applicant may find difficult if this is their first time filing the form. USCIS also provides useful instructions to the applicant on how to complete Form I-90. A few important questions from the form are explained below.

Part 1-Item 1: Alien Registration Number

• It is an 8 or 9-digit number under the "USCIS#" on the Green Card.

Part 1-Item 2: USCIS Account Number (if any)

• On a previous occasion, if the cardholder has used the USCIS online filing system (previously called USCIS ELIS), they will have an account number issued by the system.
• If not, then leave blank.

Part 1-Item 14: Class of Admission

• This appears under "category" on the Green Card.
• It is usually one or two letters followed by a number.

Part 1-Item 15: Date of Admission

• This is located under "Resident Since" on the Green Card.

Part 3-Item 1: Location where you applied for an immigrant visa or adjustment status

• You must provide the location of the US embassy, consulate or USCIS office where you filed the original application.
• Adjustment of status means the applicant was already in the US under another immigration status when the application was filed.

Part 3-Item 2: Location where your immigrant visa was issued or where you were granted adjustment of status

• You must provide the location for the US embassy, consulate or USCIS office where you were issued an immigrant visa or granted permanent resident status.

Part 3-Item 3a: Destination in the United States at the time of admission

• It must only be completed if the applicant entered the United States with an immigrant visa

Part 3-Item 3a1: Port of Entry when admitted into the United States

• It must only be answered if the applicant entered using an immigrant visa.

What are the Steps to Apply for a USCIS Green Card Replacement?

To renew or replace your Permanent Resident Card, follow the steps given below.

1. Gather your Documents

• Submit a copy of your current Green Card alongside Form I-90.
• If you have lost your Green Card or it was destroyed and you do not have a copy of it, you must submit a copy of a government-issued form of identification. (such as a passport, driver's license, etc)
• It must have your Name, Date of Birth, Photograph, and Signature.
• If you plan to file online, scan a copy of the front and back of your green card and any government-issued identification you are submitting. You must upload these for your online application.
• If you are filing offline, make a copy of the front and back of the Green Card and any government-issued identification you are submitting.

 2. Complete Form I-90

Online Filing

• To file your Form I-90 online, you must first create a USCIS account.
• Go to the Form I-90 page on the USCIS website, then click on the "File Online" button.
• You will get a prompt to sign into your USCIS account. After this, you can start filling out the form.
• If you do not have your Green Card, you must upload photos and scans of your Green Card or your government-issued identification.
• You cannot request a fee waiver if you file online. You must complete your application by paper.

Offline Filing

• From the USCIS website, download a copy of Form I-90.
• Make sure you are downloading the correct form edition directly from the USCIS website. Your application will be rejected if an old form is submitted.
• You can also download a blank form and write your response yourself.
• Another way is to download the form and fill it out using PDF editors such as Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Afterwards, you can print out the filled-in form. Make sure you sign and date the form.
• If your Green Card is unavailable, submit a copy of a government-issued photo ID instead.

3. Pay the Applicable Fees or Complete a Fee Waiver Form

You can visit the USCIS website for information regarding the updated fees for Form I-90. Since 1 December, 2025, the fee to file a Form I-90 is $415 (for online filing) and $465 (for offline filing).

Online Filing

• If you plan to file the form online, you can pay the applicable fees directly in your myUSCIS account.
• You can pay the fees using a credit/debit card or direct bank transfer.

Offline Filing

• If you plan to fill out the form on paper, you must mail a completed Form G-1450 (Authorisation for Credit Card Transaction) with your application.
• To pay the fees, you can use a credit/debit or a prepaid card.
• A US-based bank must issue the card, as cards issued by foreign banks will not be accepted.
• In some cases, you can also pay by check or money order. However, you must meet specific exemptions and file Form 1651 (Exemption for Paper Fee Payment) along with your fee payment in cash.
• You can also request a fee waiver if you are filing by paper. You must also include a completed Form I-912 in your Form I-90 application.
• It must be placed at the top of your application along with the supporting documents.
• If the fee waiver is denied, your application will be returned with a request for you to submit the fees.

Note: Make sure you place Form G-1450 or G-1650 on top of your application when you file it. USCIS may reject your application if it is not on the first page; it may look as if you did not pay the fees.

4. Submit your Application

Online Filing

• Submit your completed form along with your fee payment in your myUSCIS account.
• Make sure a copy of your Green Card or government-issued photo identification card has been uploaded to the application.

Offline Filing

• You must mail your completed application along with fee payment or fee waiver and supporting evidence to USCIS.

What is the Green Card Replacement Timeline?

In recent years, the processing times for Form I-90 have changed drastically. USCIS posts the current processing time on its "processing times tool" under Form I-90.

• Many applicants have received their replacement cards within 6-12 months (approx).
• Individual experiences vary by service centre or if USCIS requires an interview or additional evidence.
• There is no way to expedite the process. All applicants must go through the same process.

Note: Processing times vary greatly depending on the USCIS workload, application type and individual case circumstances.

Is Proof of Status Required while Waiting?

If you are waiting for the replacement of your Green Card, the I-797C receipt notice from your Form I-90 filing serves as evidence stating your permanent resident status continues.

• For Form I-90 employment verification, you can present this receipt with your expired Green Card to employers.
• A combination of the expired card and the I-90 receipt notice is a valid List A document for up to 24 months.
• If you are planning any international travel before your replacement card arrives, you can request an InfoPass appointment at your local USCIS field office.
• You can do this to get a temporary I-551 stamp in your passport. The stamp serves as proof of permanent residence status for travel purposes and is valid for 1 year.
• If you do not have your passport, USCIS issues a travel document or places a temporary stamp on a boarding pass. However, this process takes additional time.

What about Conditional Green Card Holders?

If you possess a conditional Green Card (issued when your marriage is less than 2 years old at the time of approval and is valid for 2 years) and plan to renew it, you cannot file Form I-90. You must, instead, file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions of Residence) within the 90-day window before your conditional card expires.

• This is a separate process with its own requirements, including joint filing with your spouse.
• You must consult with an immigration attorney if your conditional Green Card has already expired and you did not file Form I-751 on time.
• Late filing is allowed in certain scenarios, but failing to remove conditions can result in loss of your permanent resident status.

Conclusion

The Green Card Replacement process through USCIS is an important step in maintaining proof of your lawful permanent resident status. So, if you need help in replacing your Green card, just know that Visament makes the Green Card replacement process easy, fast, and hassle-free. Whether your Green Card is lost, damaged, stolen or contains incorrect information, filing for a replacement on time can help you avoid unnecessary problems. By understanding the application process, preparing the required documents and submitting Form I-90 correctly, you can make the replacement process smooth and stress-free.