How Much Is It to Replace a Lost Green Card

How Much Is It to Replace a Lost Green Card

The cost to replace a lost green card is not shown as one clear number everywhere. Search results list $415, $465, and a separate $25 fingerprinting fee reference. One result says the current filing fee is $465. Another gives a range of $415 to $465, based on the filing details and method.

That difference matters. You don't want to prepare an application around an old fee, then have it rejected because the payment is wrong. Check the fee shown in the current filing instructions before you submit anything.

The current cost to replace a lost green card

For a lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed green card, the usual application is Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

Based on the fee information found in current search results, you may see:

  • $465 listed as the current filing fee
  • $415 to $465 listed as the possible replacement cost, depending on the application details or how you file
  • A separate reference to a $25 fingerprinting fee
  • A filing update saying the $110 application fee may not be required, with only the $25 fingerprinting fee applying in some cases

These figures don't fit neatly into one universal answer. The exact amount can depend on why you're replacing the card, how you submit Form I-90, and whether a separate fingerprinting charge applies to your case.

So, how much is it to replace a lost green card? Plan for the listed range of $415 to $465, but don't treat that range as a guaranteed quote. Confirm the amount immediately before filing.

The fee shown in the instructions is the one that controls your application. A search result, older webpage, or fee amount copied from someone else's filing may no longer match your situation.

Why Form I-90 appears in the replacement process

Form I-90 is the standard form used to replace a Green Card. It covers more than cards that are simply about to expire. It can also be used when your card has been:

  • Lost
  • Stolen
  • Mutilated or damaged
  • Destroyed
  • Issued with incorrect information
  • Reached its expiration date

For a lost card, select the reason that matches what happened. Be accurate. Losing a card, having it stolen, and having a damaged card are different situations.

The form is for replacing the physical Permanent Resident Card. It doesn't change the basic fact that you are a permanent resident. The purpose is to request a new card when the old one is no longer available or cannot be used.

Conditional permanent residents need to pay attention

A conditional permanent resident may also need to replace a card that was lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. That is separate from the process for removing the conditions on residence.

In other words, replacing the card doesn't automatically remove the conditions on your permanent residence. If your card shows conditional status, check the instructions that apply to that status before filing. Don't assume that a standard replacement request handles every immigration issue connected to the card.

How online and other filing options affect the fee

You may see different fee amounts connected to Green Card renewal online and paper filing. The online option refers to submitting Form I-90 electronically. It isn't a different immigration benefit. You're still applying to replace or renew the Permanent Resident Card.

Search results also show that the fee may range from $415 to $465, depending in part on the application method or other filing details. That is why the amount shown during the current filing process matters.

Before you file online, check:

  1. That you are using the correct Form I-90 process.
  2. That your reason for filing is replacement of a lost or stolen card.
  3. The total fee displayed for your case.
  4. Whether a fingerprinting charge is included or listed separately.
  5. Whether your payment method is accepted for that filing method.

If you file by mail, use the current paper instructions and payment directions. Don't simply print an online application and assume the same payment rules apply.

A payment mistake can create a delay or cause the filing to be rejected. Read the fee section again just before sending the application. This is one of those small steps that can save you from starting over.

What to do after a green card is lost or stolen

Start by working out whether the card is truly lost. Check your wallet, travel bag, desk, car, and any recent place where you used it. If it was stolen, keep a record of when and where you noticed the theft.

Then move to the replacement application.

1. File Form I-90

Use Form I-90 to request a replacement Permanent Resident Card. Give the facts as clearly as you can. Choose the reason that best matches the problem.

2. Check every answer before filing

A wrong address, missing detail, or incorrect replacement reason can slow the process. Make sure your name and other identifying information match your immigration records as closely as possible.

3. Confirm the fee

This step deserves extra attention because the available fee references conflict. You may see $415, $465, or a separate $25 fingerprinting fee reference. Confirm the amount for your specific filing before you submit the form.

4. Keep copies of what you send

Save a copy of Form I-90, the payment information, and any filing confirmation. Keep them together. If you need to ask about the case later, these records will make that easier.

5. Watch for further instructions

5. Watch for further instructions

The filing information may tell you whether fingerprinting or another identity-check step applies. Don't assume every applicant has the same fee or the same next step.

How much time should you allow for a replacement?

There isn't one dependable delivery time that applies to every lost-card replacement. Processing can vary by service center, and search results describe changing reports about how quickly cases are moving.

That makes a fixed promise risky. A replacement might not arrive by the date you have in mind, especially if you have a trip, job paperwork, or another deadline coming up.

After filing, check the current processing information for your case rather than relying on an old estimate from a forum or search result. Processing information can change, and the location handling the application matters.

If your case appears to be taking longer than the current posted range, use the available case inquiry process. Keep your filing details nearby when you check the status.

Can a lost-green-card replacement be expedited?

Don't assume that losing a card automatically qualifies you for faster processing. The available information does not establish that every lost-card replacement can be expedited, or that an expedite request will be approved.

If you have an urgent reason, check the current official process for expedite requests before filing or contacting the agency. The request rules, required explanation, and supporting material can depend on the situation.

An urgent trip alone should not be treated as a guarantee of faster service. If you need the card for work, travel, or another deadline, raise the issue early. Waiting until the week before departure leaves you with fewer options.

Travel considerations while waiting for the replacement

If you say, “I lost my green card and need to travel,” deal with the travel question before you book the trip.

A pending Form I-90 does not mean the replacement card will arrive before your departure. Processing times can vary, and the application itself is not a promise of quick delivery.

Before traveling, verify:

  • What documents you will need to leave and return
  • Whether your current immigration and identity documents will be accepted
  • Whether you need temporary proof connected to your permanent resident status
  • What instructions apply if your card was stolen rather than misplaced
  • Whether your planned dates allow enough time for the replacement process

The right answer can depend on your specific records, destination, and travel plans. If the trip is close or the situation is complicated, get case-specific help before leaving. Do not rely on a payment receipt or a general statement that you filed Form I-90 unless the current instructions clearly say it is enough for your situation.

Travel can also make address and document problems harder to fix. Make sure the agency has the correct mailing information and that you can receive notices while you are away.

Fee waivers, fingerprinting fees, and eligibility details to verify

A Green Card replacement fee waiver may be available in some situations, but the materials here don't establish a blanket waiver rule or list every qualifying condition. Don't assume that a waiver applies just because the card was lost or stolen.

Check the current instructions for:

  • Whether a fee waiver is available for your filing reason
  • Which form or request is needed to ask for one
  • What evidence is required
  • Whether the waiver covers the whole charge or only a specific fee
  • Whether the request must be decided before Form I-90 can move forward

Fingerprinting fees also need careful checking. One filing update says the $110 application fee may not be required and that only a $25 fingerprinting fee may apply. That does not mean every lost-card replacement costs $25. It is a separate fee reference tied to certain filing details.

Before submitting, verify these points:

Is the card a regular or conditional Green Card?

A conditional permanent resident must replace a card that was lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. But card replacement is not the same as removing the conditions on residence.

Are you replacing or renewing?

Are you replacing or renewing?

Form I-90 can be used for both replacement and renewal situations. Pick the reason that accurately describes your case. A lost card should not be treated like an ordinary renewal just because the card was also near its expiration date.

Are you filing online or by mail?

The fee and payment instructions may differ by filing method. Follow the instructions for the method you actually use.

Does a fingerprinting charge apply?

The search results include a separate $25 fingerprinting fee reference. Confirm whether it applies to your filing instead of adding it automatically or leaving it out automatically.

Is the fee current?

Is the fee current?

The figures found in search results are inconsistent. Before submitting Form I-90, verify the current fee, filing instructions, and processing information through the official USCIS materials. That final check is the safest way to avoid using the wrong amount or an outdated filing rule.

RM

Written by Ryan Mitchell

Ryan Mitchell is a U.S. visa consultant who helps individuals and families better understand the U.S. visa application process. He provides practical guidance on visa requirements, documentation, interview preparation, and common application questions, with a focus on making the process easier to understand.