Replacing Your Green Card: A Guide to Form I-90

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, your Green Card is an important document that proves your right to live and work in the country. Like any identification card, it has an expiration date. Fortunately, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides a clear process for replacing an expired or soon-to-expire Green Card, primarily through Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. This guide will walk you through the reasons you might need to replace your card, how to file, and what to expect during the process.

When You Need to Replace Your Green Card

The most common reason to file Form I-90 is when your Green Card has expired or will expire within the next six months. However, there are several other situations where a replacement card is necessary. These include if your card has been lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed. You may also need a new card if it contains incorrect information, such as a misspelled name, or if you have legally changed your name or other personal details since your last card was issued.

Other circumstances that require filing Form I-90 include:

• Never Received Card: If you were issued a Green Card but never received it.
• Under 14: If you received a Green Card before your 14th birthday and have since reached that age. There is an age-based exception related to the card’s expiration date.
• Status Changes: If you are moving between commuter status and residence in the U.S., your status was automatically converted to permanent residence, or you hold an older version of a Green Card like Form AR-3, AR-103, or I-151.

Conditional permanent residents have a slightly different process. They can use Form I-90 for lost, stolen, damaged, or mutilated cards, incorrect information, name changes, or if they never received the card. However, if your conditional Green Card is expiring, you must file Form I-751 to remove the conditions on your residence, not Form I-90 for renewal.

Filing Form I-90: Online or By Mail

USCIS offers two convenient ways to file Form I-90: online or by mail. The filing fee can vary depending on the method you choose and your specific situation. As of November 2026, the general filing fee is $415 for online submissions and $465 for paper filings.

There are instances where the filing fee may be waived. For example, if your card was returned to USCIS as undeliverable and you never received it, or if USCIS made an error that resulted in incorrect information on your card, you may not have to pay a fee. Additionally, certain applicants might qualify for a fee waiver by submitting Form I-912. It is always a good idea to check the USCIS fee calculator on their website to determine the exact fee for your category and filing method before submitting your application.

If you are filing from outside the United States because your card will expire within six months, USCIS guidance suggests waiting until you return to the U.S. to file. This applies if you plan to return within one year of your departure and before your current card expires.

Temporary Evidence of Status and Work Authorization

Once you file Form I-90 for a renewal, you will receive a receipt notice. This notice, when presented with your expired Green Card, serves as temporary evidence of your lawful permanent resident status. This combined documentation is valid for 36 months from the expiration date of your Green Card. It also confirms your authorization to work and travel.

It is important to keep both the receipt notice and your expired Green Card together. The notice is intended to supplement your expired card, not replace it as standalone proof of status. If your Green Card is no longer available, USCIS may issue an Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp after your application is filed. You can contact the USCIS Contact Center for assistance with obtaining this stamp.

If your Form I-90 application is approved, USCIS will mail you a new Green Card. You can check the status of your case online after waiting 72 hours from the time you filed your application. Eligible residents have the flexibility to submit their application either online or by mail, and should always verify the correct fee for their chosen method.

Frequently Asked Questions