The Green Card Replacement Process Explained

• Fill out Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

• Review the form and sign

• Submit your form and required documents

• Pay the green card replacement fee

While your application is pending, your Form I-90 receipt notice can be used as temporary evidence of your immigration status until you receive your new card.

If your request to replace green card is accepted, the USCIS will send an acceptance notification through mail.

 

Common Reasons to Replace a Green Card

You may need to proceed with the green card renewal process for several reasons such as follows.

• If, by any chance, your Green Card has lost, stolen, or damaged to the extent that the information on it is not readable or legible. In this case, your card won’t be acceptable as a legal document, and you would need to get a new green card.

• Green Cards come with expiration dates. They need to be updated after the expiration date, which is usually after 10 years. If your green card has expired, it in necessary to submit a renewal application to maintain the proof of your permanent residency.

• If your name or any other details change, you must submit the renewal application to have your information updated.

• If your Green Card have incorrect information, such as incorrect or misspelled name, incorrect date of birth, or any other mistake, you must replace your green card to ensure accurate documentation of your residency status.

Updated Green Card is necessary to maintain your status as lawful permanent residents in the U.S.

 

Travel Consideration During Replacement Process

If your green card is under the replacement process and you need to travel across, you should be aware of the potential issues that may arise.

If you have to travel even though your green card expired, you just can’t take your I-90 form as a proof with yourself. It will lead to complications when you have to re-enter the U.S. Instead, you should wait for your card or obtain a temporary I-551 stamp ‘temporary green card’ before you leave for international travel.

You should also carry copies of your Form I-90 receipt notice, expired green card (if possible and available) and any other supporting documents such as driver’s license, alien registration receipt card.

Plus, stay prepared for additional questioning at the border.

 

How Hard Is It To Get A Replacement Green Card?

Replacing your lost or stolen green card while in the U.S. is easy. You can file your application to replace green card online through the USCIS website or the mail. You might have to pay only the biometrics fee.

The process could be more complicated if your card is lost or stolen when you are outside the U.S. You may need to lodge a report to the nearest police department and then reach out to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for further instructions. Working with a green card lawyer in such an instance can make the process faster and less stressful.