How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Green Card

The reported cost to replace or renew a green card is $465 when Form I-90 is filed by paper. Another reported figure says paper filing costs $50 more than online filing, which would put the reported online amount at $415.

Treat those numbers as reported figures, not a promise of the current USCIS fee. USCIS directs applicants to check its current fee schedule or fee calculator before submitting Form I-90. Fees can change, and the amount may depend on how you file and the reason for replacing the card.

The current reported cost to replace a green card

Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is the form used for many green card replacement and renewal requests.

Based on the search results reviewed for this topic:

• Reported paper filing fee: $465
• Reported online filing difference: Online filing is reported as $50 less than paper filing
• Reported online amount based on that difference: $415
• Reported processing estimate: About 6 to 12 months

The $465 figure is the clearest reported amount for a paper Form I-90 filing. The online figure is calculated from the reported $50 difference. It should not be treated as the final amount until you check USCIS directly.

That distinction matters. A search result may show an older fee, a fee tied to one filing method, or information that no longer matches the USCIS payment page. Before you pay, confirm the amount shown for your application and filing method.

The fee is generally connected to the Form I-90 filing, not simply to the fact that your physical card is missing. The right answer can depend on why you need a new card and what USCIS says applies to your case.

How paper and online Form I-90 filing costs differ

The reported difference between the two filing methods is $50. Paper filing is reported at $465, while online filing is reported as $50 less.

Using those reported amounts:

This table is useful for understanding the reported gap. It is not a replacement for checking the current USCIS fee calculator.

Before choosing a filing method, make sure you are comparing the same type of Form I-90 request. A fee shown for one type of filing may not answer every question about another request. Also check whether USCIS has changed the fee since the information you found was published.

Online filing may seem simpler because the application is submitted through a USCIS account. Paper filing may be the option you choose if you cannot or do not want to file online. The key cost point is that the reported paper fee is higher by $50.

Do not send payment based only on a search snippet. Use the amount USCIS shows for your case at the time you file.

When to use Form I-90 to replace or renew a permanent resident card

Form I-90 is used to replace or renew a Permanent Resident Card, commonly called a green card.

A person may need a new card because the current card:

• Was lost or stolen
• Was damaged
• Is about to expire
• Has expired
• Contains incorrect information
• Needs to be replaced for another reason covered by the form

The exact reason matters because the application asks you to identify why you need a new card. Read the current Form I-90 instructions carefully and select the reason that matches your situation.

A lost card and an expired card are different problems, even though both may lead to a replacement request. If your card was stolen, for example, keep the details you may need when completing the application. If the card has incorrect information, check the instructions for the option that fits that error.

The important point is that Form I-90 is the starting point for many green card replacement and renewal requests. Filing the form does not mean every case has the same fee, timeline, or document requirements. Confirm the current instructions before submitting anything.

How to confirm the USCIS filing fee before submitting

The safest way to confirm the Green Card renewal fee in 2026 is to check USCIS at the time you file. The supplied search results point applicants to two official tools:

1. The USCIS fee schedule
2. The USCIS fee calculator

Start with the fee calculator if you want to identify the amount for a specific filing. Then compare the result with the current fee schedule and Form I-90 instructions.

Check these details before paying:

• Are you filing Form I-90?
• Are you filing online or by paper?
• Is the amount shown for your reason for replacement or renewal?
• Does USCIS list any separate payment instructions?
• Are you using the current form and instructions?
• Does the payment amount match what USCIS displays at submission?

The reported figures of $465 for paper filing and $415 for online filing give you a useful reference point. They do not remove the need to verify the amount.

Be especially careful if you find a fee on an older webpage, a discussion forum, or a search result. Those pages may not reflect the current USCIS amount. If the number on the page you found does not match the fee calculator, use the current USCIS information rather than guessing.

A wrong payment can create problems with the filing. For that reason, confirm the fee immediately before you submit Form I-90.

Can you replace a green card for free?

A Green Card replacement fee waiver may be mentioned in USCIS-related search results, but the supplied information does not provide the eligibility rules. It also does not show that every person who lost or damaged a card can replace it without paying.

So the careful answer is: possibly in some situations, but do not assume your replacement will be free.

Check the current USCIS fee-waiver guidance before filing. Look for the requirements, the form or request used for a waiver, and any supporting information USCIS says you must provide.

Do not simply leave out the payment and hope the fee will be waived. If you want USCIS to consider a waiver, follow the current instructions for requesting one. A fee-waiver request may be reviewed separately from the Form I-90 request, so read the instructions closely.

The search results do not give enough information to say:

• Who qualifies
• What proof is required
• Whether a lost card automatically qualifies
• Whether a damaged or expired card can always be replaced for free
• How a waiver request changes processing time

That is why USCIS guidance matters here. A fee waiver is not the same as a general free replacement policy.

How long green card replacement may take

One reported estimate puts green card replacement processing at about 6 to 12 months. That is the available reported range for both replacement and renewal discussions.

It is only an estimate. Your actual wait may differ based on the case, the filing method, USCIS workload, or whether USCIS needs more information.

The supplied results do not provide a separate processing estimate for green card renewal in 2026. In other words, you should not assume that a 2026 renewal will take a fixed number of months simply because a search result gives a six-to-12-month range.

After filing Form I-90, keep your application information and watch for USCIS updates. If USCIS sends a notice asking for something, follow that notice rather than relying on a general online estimate.

The timing issue also affects the cost question. A cheaper filing method does not necessarily mean faster processing. The reported $50 difference between online and paper filing should not be treated as a promise that one method will produce your card sooner.

If you lost your green card and have upcoming travel

If you’re thinking, “I lost my green card and need to travel,” slow down before booking or starting the trip. The supplied information does not establish what travel documents you need, whether you can travel in your situation, or what a particular airline or border official will accept.

Do not treat a pending Form I-90 receipt as automatic permission to travel. Filing for a replacement and proving your status during travel are separate issues.

Before making travel plans, check current USCIS instructions for your situation. You may also need to confirm requirements with the relevant airline or other travel authority. The right steps can depend on details that are not covered by the basic replacement-fee information, such as where you are traveling, when you plan to return, and what proof you have available.

If travel is urgent, get case-specific guidance before leaving. Avoid relying on an old card, a screenshot, or an online comment that does not explain your circumstances. USCIS is the place to confirm official instructions connected to your immigration document and pending Form I-90 request.

The main cost takeaway is simple: filing Form I-90 may be necessary, but submitting it does not answer every travel question.

Common green card replacement cost questions

What is the reported fee for replacing a lost green card?

One reported result lists a $465 fee for a paper Form I-90 filing. Another says paper filing costs $50 more than online filing, which gives a reported online amount of $415.

Confirm both numbers with the current USCIS fee schedule or fee calculator before paying.

Is online filing cheaper than paper filing?

The supplied search results report that paper filing is $50 more than online filing. Based on the reported $465 paper fee, the reported online amount is $415.

Check USCIS before submitting because the current fee may change.

Is Form I-90 used for renewal as well as replacement?

Yes. Form I-90 is used to replace or renew a Permanent Resident Card. Your reason for filing should match your situation, such as a lost card, damaged card, or expiring card.

Can I replace my green card without paying?

A fee waiver may be available in some circumstances, but the supplied information does not explain the eligibility rules. It also does not confirm that every applicant qualifies.

Review the current USCIS fee-waiver instructions before filing. Do not assume a lost or damaged card automatically means there is no fee.

How long does a replacement take?

A reported estimate is about 6 to 12 months. That range is not a guarantee, and the supplied results do not provide a separate 2026 renewal timeline.

Check current USCIS information for the most useful estimate after filing.

Should I file online or by paper?

The reported cost difference favors online filing by $50. Still, choose the method you can complete correctly and verify the amount USCIS shows for that method. Do not choose based on price alone if you are unsure which instructions apply.

Before submitting Form I-90, confirm the current fee, any fee-waiver instructions, and any travel guidance through the official USCIS fee calculator and fee schedule.