Replacing or Renewing Your Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”)

Yes. If you are a permanent resident you can replace a lost or stolen green card. You can also  renew expired cards. Do this by filing Form I-90 with the Immigration Service (USCIS). Your new card usually arrives in the mail in a few months. But it sometimes takes a year or more.

See below for special information if you are a conditional resident.

If you have any criminal convictions get advice from an immigration lawyer before you file Form I-90. Certain criminal convictions or arrests can cause you to lose your residency status, and you could be deported from the U.S. 

• your card was lost, stolen, or destroyed
• you never got your original card
• your card is mutilated, or unreadable
• your name changed since you got the original card
• the immigration service made a mistake on the card (like spelling your name wrong or listing the wrong birth date.)
• you are a permanent resident, and your green card is expiring or has expired. If you are a conditional resident and your card is expiring after 2 years you must file Form I-751. See next section.
• you got your card before you were 14 years old, and you are turning 14 in 30 days or less.
• your card does not have an expiration date

Yes, but DO NOT use Form I-90. Conditional residents must apply for permanent residency when their card is about to expire. Right before those 2 years end, you must apply to “remove the conditions” on your residency.

You need to file a “Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence” (Form I-751). File it before your card expires. If the immigration service approves your application, you get a permanent resident card (green card). If your card has already expired, contact an immigration lawyer.

Conditional residents can apply to replace lost, stolen, or destroyed cards within their 2 years.

Yes. As part of the application process, the immigration service will collect “biometric data” like your fingerprints and photograph. If you have a criminal record, it will show up when you want to replace or renew.

If the immigration service thinks that your crimes or other problems make you deportable, you could be placed in removal (deportation) proceedings. You could lose your residency and be deported from the U.S.

Immigration Service policies for renewing or replacing green cards can change quickly.

If you have criminal convictions or arrests, you should get advice from an immigration lawyer before you file an application to replace or renew your card.

No. If you apply to become a U.S. citizen after 12/12/22 by filing file form N-400, Immigration extends your expired card for 3 years. You do not need to file Form I-90 if you filed Form N-400 for citizenship. You will get an N-400 filing receipt that describes this 3-year extension. You can use the receipt and expired card as proof of identity and ability to work.

If you plan to mail it in, you can print out a blank form or fill it out online and print it. Look under “Form Details” on the I-90 page. Links for the form and instructions are there.

You can also fill out the form and file online, (called e-filing) but make sure you read all the information carefully!

Some people can’t file online. For example: you can’t file online if you want to use a fee waiver.

When you are done, make sure you print a copy for yourself and keep it in your files.

PART 1. Information about you.

Note: Do not fill out the boxes at the top that say “FOR USCIS USE ONLY.”

• Fill in the information they ask for- like A-number (your immigration number), name, address, date of birth, gender, Social Security number, etc.
   
• Be careful when filling in your mailing address. This is the address USCIS mails your new card to. Make sure your address is complete, apartment number, zip code etc. Also report your address change to USCIS on form AR-11. See our fact sheet Reporting Your Change of Address to USCIS. If you move before you get your new card, make sure you report your change of address to USCIS and the post office. 
   
• The “class of admission” is the 2-letter, 1-number code on your card. For example, “RE6.” The “date of admission” is the date on your card that says, “Resident Since.”
   
• Make sure you fill out everything that the instructions say is needed.
   
• Make sure the mailing address you use is dependable. Some letter carriers won’t deliver the mail if the name on the envelope does not match the name on the mailbox.

Part 2. Application type.

• #1 - Put a check in the box that applies to your situation.

If you check 1.a. Lawful Permanent Resident or 1.b. Permanent Resident – In Commuter Status (which means you are a resident who currently lives outside of the US) go to Part 2 Section A.

If you check 1.c. Conditional Permanent Resident, skip Part 2 Section A and just do Part 2 Section B.

• #2- Reason for Application. Check only one box in Section A or B.

Part 3. Processing information.

• Fill out the application with the correct information.
  • If you were in the U.S. when you applied for and got your card, write down the location of the USCIS office that approved your application in lines 1 and 2. The office locations are listed on your Receipt and Approval Notices.
     
  • If you applied for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country, write down the name of the U.S. city and state where you lived after you entered the U.S. on Line 3.a. On Line 3.a.1, write down the city and state where your visa was stamped. Or where you entered the U.S.
     
• If you have ever been excluded, deported, or ordered removed from the U.S., talk to a lawyer or paralegal before checking the Yes box in line 4.
   
• Did you ever sign a form I-407 stating that you want to give up your permanent resident card? If yes, talk to a lawyer or paralegal before checking the Yes box and filing your application.
   
• In most cases, you should not send original documents or evidence with your application form. There are 2 exceptions to this:

1. If your card has information that is wrong, you have to return the card with your application, and proof of why the information is wrong.
2. If you never got your card and have proof that you never got it, send the proof in with your application. The USCIS Contact Center at (800) 375-5283 can tell you if your card was returned to Immigration. 

If any of your documents are not in English, you have to include a certified English translation.

• Complete the biometric information #6-11.

Part 4. Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities and Impairments

• Fill out this section only if you need extra help with your application because of a disability or impairment.

Part 5. Signature.

• Sign and date your name. Fill in your telephone number.

Part 6. Interpreter’s Information

• If you used an interpreter (checked the box in Part 5, line 1.b), the interpreter should fill out Part 6 with their contact information. The interpreter must sign the certification.  

Part 7. Signature of person preparing the form, if other than above.

• If someone else helped you to fill out the form, they need to put their name and telephone number here. Then they need to sign and date the form.

Part 8. Explanation Page

• This is to give more detail if you need to explain things about any of your answers. Make sure you fill in the Page, Part, and Item information so Immigration knows what you are talking about.

Most people have to pay a filing fee (unless they can use a fee waiver). The filing fee for most people is $465 (or $415 filing online). In many cases you also have to pay a biometric fee of $85 for a total or $550. 

For exact information and fee amounts, go to www.uscis.gov/i-90 and click on the “Filing Fee” section.

The “Filing Fee” section also has information on the different ways you can pay and how.

In some cases, USCIS lets you file without paying fees. You don’t have to pay if:

• You are filing this application because your card has mistakes on it that are the fault of Immigration, or
   
• You never got your original resident card, and the postal service returned the card to Immigration. If the card was never returned to them, you have to pay the filing fee. 

To find out if your card was returned to Immigration, visit their website at www.uscis.gov. Type in your receipt number in the box under “check case status.” Your receipt number is on your receipt notice in the boxes at the top. If the website does not tell you if the card was returned, you may have to make an appointment with your local immigration office. To make an appointment, call the USCIS Contact Center at (800) 375-5283, or

• You are filing because you are turning 14 years old, and your card expires after your 16th birthday. Your application fee is waived if you file within 30 days of your 14th birthday. But you still have to send in an $85 biometrics fee. 

If you are turning 14 years old and your card expires before your 16th birthday, you have to pay the full $550 fee. 

Sometimes you can get a fee waiver so you don’t have to pay. You need to apply for a fee waiver using USCIS Form I-912 “Request for a Fee Waiver.”  

IMPORTANT: USCIS won’t start processing your application until it gets the money or gives you a fee waiver. See our Fact Sheet Fee Waivers.

If you are filing online: USCIS has instructions on their site to set up an account. Your supporting documents (proof) will be uploaded.

NOTE: the address to mail your documents for an online application is different than the application mailing address given below. Read the instructions carefully!

If you are filing by mail: Send the original application and copies of your supporting documents. Keep a copy of everything in your own files. Before you send the application make sure everything is there:

• Form I-90
• copies of your proof
• and payment or fee waiver request

Mail it to the immigration service, at these addresses:

To mail using the US Post Office (USPS)
USCIS
Attn: I-90
P.O. Box 21262
Phoenix, AZ 85036

To mail using FedEx, UPS, and DHL
USCIS Attn: I-90 (PO Box 21262)
2108 E. Elliot Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85284-1806

After you mail in your application, the immigration service makes an appointment for you at an Application Support Center (ASC). They send you a notice that tells you when and where your appointment is. Show up for your biometrics appointment!

You need to bring:

• your appointment notice
• your original resident card (if you have it)
• other government issued photo ID
• original or certified copies of your name change if you changed your name
• the original approval notice for your residency card
• certified copies of police or court records for any arrests you have had since your original resident card was issued. But be careful! Talk to an immigration lawyer first if you have any arrests, tickets, or convictions.

If you are claiming that your LPR card was stolen, bring the police report that you filed to report the crime.

If any of your documents are not in English, you must bring a certified English translation.

At your appointment, your fingerprints, photo, and other biometric data are taken. The immigration service may keep your expiring or incorrect resident card.

If you do not show up for your biometrics appointment, the immigration service can’t finish processing your application, and you will not get your new card. Your application may be denied if you do not appear.

REMEMBER: If you have criminal convictions or arrests, get advice from an immigration lawyer before you file this application. Certain criminal convictions can cause you to lose your permanent resident status and be deported from the U.S.

It might take a year or more for your new card to arrive. If you need proof that you have lawful permanent resident status, even though you don’t have a current card, you may be able to:

1. Present your expired card with the I-90 filing receipt as proof that your card is valid for 36 months from date of expiration. You are eligible to work and travel with these documents.
    
2. Get an I-551 Stamp in your current, unexpired foreign passport that proves you have lawful permanent resident status. Also called an “ADIT Stamp.” If you need this stamp, call the USCIS Contact Center at (800) 375-5283 to make an appointment.