How Much Is a Green Card Replacement

For most applicants, a Green Card replacement costs $415 to $465 in 2026. The lower amount is tied to an online Form I-90 filing. The higher amount applies when you file the form on paper.

That range can look confusing because the price depends on two things: how you submit the application and, in some cases, why you need a new card. The amounts listed below include the biometrics fee.

Current Green Card replacement cost at a glance

Here’s the quick answer to how much is a Green Card replacement:

These are the listed Form I-90 amounts for 2026 based on the available fee information. So, if you’re replacing a lost, stolen, damaged, expired, or outdated card, your starting point is usually $415 online or $465 by paper.

Still, don’t treat the range as a guarantee for every situation. The reason for the replacement may affect the amount that applies to you. The USCIS fee calculator and the current Form I-90 instructions are the safest places to confirm the charge before you submit anything.

What the fee covers

The biometrics fee is already bundled into both listed amounts. You should not add a separate biometrics charge to the $415 online fee or the $465 paper fee based on the information available here.

Biometrics usually refers to identity-checking information collected during the application process. The key point for your budget is simple: the listed online and paper totals already include that fee.

How online and paper Form I-90 fees differ

The filing method creates the clearest price difference:

• Online Form I-90: $415
• Paper Form I-90: $465

That is a $50 difference between the two listed filing options.

An online application means you complete and submit Form I-90 through the available USCIS online process. A paper application means you complete the form and send it as directed in the current instructions.

The lower online amount is why many people first see a Green Card renewal fee of $415 in 2026. Other pages may show $465, usually because they are talking about a paper filing. Both figures can be correct when they refer to different submission methods.

A quick way to read the numbers is:

> Online = $415. Paper = $465. Biometrics are included in both.

The reason for your replacement can still matter, so check the exact charge before paying. Don’t rely on a search result, an old receipt, or a fee amount saved from a previous application.

When the reason for replacement may change the fee

Form I-90 can be used for several Green Card problems. You may need a new card because it was:

• Lost
• Stolen
• Damaged
• Expired
• Printed with outdated information
• Otherwise in need of replacement

The available fee information says the cost can vary based on the reason you need a new card. That does not mean every reason has a different price. It means you should not assume that the online or paper amount applies in exactly the same way to every case.

This is one reason some pages describe the Green Card replacement fee as a range rather than one fixed number. They may be combining the online and paper amounts. They may also be allowing for differences tied to the replacement reason.

If your card was lost or stolen, you’ll need to explain that situation in your application. If the card is damaged or contains outdated information, the instructions may tell you how to handle the old card or provide evidence of the problem. The right supporting material depends on your answer and the current instructions.

For that reason, avoid choosing a fee based only on the phrase “Green Card renewal.” Renewal and replacement are often discussed together, but your specific Form I-90 reason still matters.

What Form I-90 can help you replace

Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is the form used to request a replacement Green Card. A Permanent Resident Card is the formal name for what most people call a Green Card.

You may need Form I-90 when your existing card is no longer usable or no longer reflects your situation. That can include a lost Green Card replacement, as well as a replacement for a card that is damaged, expired, or outdated.

The form is also the starting point for the fee calculation. Your answers help determine the reason for the application, and that reason may affect the amount shown for your case.

Four quick answers people usually need

How much does it cost to replace a Green Card?

The listed amounts are $415 for an online Form I-90 application and $465 for a paper application. Both figures include the biometrics fee. The reason for replacement may affect the final amount.

How long does a replacement take?

There is no single processing time that applies to every applicant. The Green Card replacement processing time varies by service center. Check the current processing information instead of relying on one fixed number of days.

Can you replace a Green Card for free?

The available information does not establish a general free replacement option. Don’t assume that a lost, stolen, damaged, or expired card can be replaced at no cost. Check the current USCIS fee information for your specific situation.

What documents do you need?

You need Form I-90, along with the supporting information and documents required for your reason for replacement. The research available here does not provide a complete checklist, so use the current Form I-90 instructions before filing.

Can you replace a Green Card for free or request a fee waiver?

This is the part where you should be careful. The available information does not confirm a general rule that lets every applicant replace a Green Card for free.

It also does not support promising that every applicant can request a Green Card replacement fee waiver. One set of available information says a fee waiver cannot be requested, while other guidance points applicants toward checking the fee that applies to their situation. Because those details can depend on current USCIS rules and the reason for the application, don’t assume you qualify for an exception.

A safe approach is:

1. Identify the reason you need a replacement.
2. Choose whether you plan to submit Form I-90 online or on paper.
3. Check the current fee shown for that situation.
4. Read the current Form I-90 instructions for any fee-related option or restriction.

If the fee appears different from the usual $415 online or $465 paper amount, stop and verify it before submitting payment. A fee calculator is more reliable than an old article or advice from someone who filed under different circumstances.

Documents and information to prepare for a replacement application

Start with the current Form I-90 application to replace Permanent Resident Card and its instructions. The exact documents depend on why you’re requesting the replacement.

For example, a lost or stolen Green Card is a different situation from a card that is damaged or contains outdated information. Your application should accurately describe what happened. Don’t select a reason simply because it appears to have a lower fee.

Before you begin, gather the information you have about:

• Your current or previous Permanent Resident Card
• The reason the card needs to be replaced
• The details requested on Form I-90
• Any supporting documents listed for your situation
• The filing method you plan to use

If the card is lost, you may not have a copy of it. That does not mean you should guess at missing details. Use the information you do have, follow the form instructions, and check how the application tells you to handle unavailable card information.

If your card is damaged or still in your possession, read the instructions carefully. They may explain whether you need to provide information about the damaged card or submit it in a particular way.

The most useful document list is the current one that comes with the form. A general checklist from another applicant may leave out something that applies to your case.

How long Green Card replacement can take

The Green Card replacement processing time depends on the service center handling the application. There is no single number of days that can be safely promised for every Form I-90 case.

That means two applicants may not receive a replacement card on the same schedule. The time can also change as USCIS updates its processing information.

When planning, allow for more than the time needed to complete the form. You may need time to:

• Gather the required information
• Review the instructions
• Submit the application and fee
• Respond if more information is requested
• Attend any required biometrics step
• Wait for the application to be processed

Check the current processing information after you file and use the details connected to your application. A general estimate from an older page may not match the service center working on your case.

If your card was lost or stolen, deal with the replacement promptly. A missing card can create practical problems when you need to show proof of permanent resident status. The filing fee and processing time are still based on the rules and information that apply to your Form I-90 application.

How to check the exact fee before filing

Use the USCIS fee calculator before you submit Form I-90. Enter the details it asks for, including the reason for replacement and the filing method. This helps explain why one person may see a $415 amount while another sees $465, or why a result may need extra checking.

Then compare the result with the current Form I-90 instructions. Look for:

• The fee for your reason for filing
• The difference between online and paper submission
• Whether biometrics are included
• Any instructions about payment
• Any stated limits or rules about fee waivers

For a quick estimate, remember $415 online and $465 on paper, with biometrics included in both listed amounts. Before submitting, check the USCIS fee calculator and the current Form I-90 instructions for the exact fee that applies to your case.