How to Get a Replacement Green Card

If your Green Card is missing, damaged, expired, stolen, destroyed, or has no expiration date, Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is generally the form used to request a replacement. You can submit it online or by mail.

The right filing path depends less on the problem itself and more on how you want to apply. First, identify what happened to your card. Then gather your identity evidence, check the current fee rules, and choose the online or paper route that works best for you.

When you need to replace a Green Card

The same basic replacement process can cover several different situations.

Your card was lost or stolen

A Green Card lost replacement starts with Form I-90. The same applies if someone stole your card. Keep a record of when and where you noticed it was missing. If you reported the theft, keep any report or other related paperwork with your records.

The application will ask you to explain why you need a new card. Choose the reason that matches your situation and answer the questions carefully.

Your card was damaged or destroyed

A card that is badly damaged may no longer work as proof of your status or identity. A fire, flood, accident, or other event may also destroy it.

If you still have part of the card, keep it. You may need to follow the current Form I-90 instructions about sending or showing evidence of the damaged card. Don’t throw it away before checking those instructions.

Your card expired

An expired card may need to be replaced through Form I-90. Check the current USCIS instructions before filing, because the details tied to an expired card can change.

Pay close attention to the reason you select on the form. A card that has expired is different from one that was lost, stolen, or damaged.

Your card has no expiration date

Some older Permanent Resident Cards do not show an expiration date. The available guidance still identifies Form I-90 as the replacement route for this situation.

Look at the card and compare it with the current form instructions. If you aren’t sure which replacement reason fits, avoid guessing. Review the official instructions or get advice from a qualified immigration professional.

What Form I-90 is used for

Form I-90 is the application used to replace a Permanent Resident Card. It is the central form for many routine card replacement problems, including a card that is:

• Lost
• Stolen
• Destroyed
• Damaged
• Expired
• Missing an expiration date

The form does not mean every case is identical. You still need to select the reason that matches your card and provide the information and identity evidence requested for that situation.

Before you start, gather the basic details you can find. These may include information from your old card, your personal identifying details, and records that help explain the replacement request. If the card is gone, use the information you still have in your records rather than making up a card number.

Form I-90 is also different from other immigration filings. Use the current USCIS instructions to confirm that it fits your situation before you submit anything.

Choose between an online and paper application

The replacement process has two main routes: submit Form I-90 online or send a paper application by mail.

Filing through the online system

An online filing can be useful if you prefer typing your information into a digital form and uploading your identity evidence. Start from the current USCIS Form I-90 instructions and use the official online filing process described there.

As you work through the application:

1. Select the replacement reason that matches your situation.
2. Enter your personal and card information carefully.
3. Review every answer before submitting.
4. Upload or provide the identity evidence the instructions request.
5. Check the current fee information before payment.
6. Save your confirmation and copies of everything you submit.

Online filing is often called Green Card renewal online, although the same form can handle more than a routine renewal. A lost, stolen, destroyed, or no-expiration-date card may also require Form I-90.

Don’t assume that filing online automatically means your case will move faster. The supplied information confirms that online filing is available, but it does not establish a guaranteed faster route, expedited service, or a particular processing time.

Sending the application by mail

You can also complete a paper Form I-90 and mail it as directed in the current instructions. This may suit you if you prefer paper records, cannot use the online system, or need to organize physical documents.

Before mailing it:

• Use the current version of the form.
• Follow the instructions for the correct mailing location.
• Make a complete copy of the application and supporting documents.
• Check the fee or fee-waiver instructions.
• Keep proof of delivery if you send the package by a trackable method.

A paper filing needs the same care as an online filing. Make sure the reason for replacement is accurate, the answers are complete, and your identity evidence is readable. A rushed or incomplete package can create problems, so set aside time to review it before sending it.

Documents and identity evidence to prepare

Your documents depend on why you are replacing the card and what the current Form I-90 instructions request. The key point is simple: don’t wait until the last minute to look for proof of your identity.

Start by collecting:

• A copy or record of your Green Card, if you still have one
• Other identity evidence requested by the current instructions
• Records related to a lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed card
• Any papers that support the replacement reason you select
• A copy of the completed application and everything you submit

If your card was stolen or destroyed, you may not have a copy. That does not mean you should invent missing details. Provide the information you do have and follow the form’s instructions for applicants who cannot provide the physical card.

Check names, dates, card numbers, and addresses closely. A small typing error can make it harder to match your application to your records. Keep your documents together in one place after filing so you can respond if USCIS asks for more information.

Replacement fees and possible fee-waiver requests

A Form I-90 filing may require a fee. The amount is not included in the supplied information, and immigration fees can change. Check the current USCIS fee information before submitting your application rather than relying on an old article, a saved form, or a number someone gives you.

The cost may be different from what you expect based on the reason for replacement. For example, losing a card does not necessarily mean every applicant will face the same total filing requirements. Read the current fee instructions for your specific filing.

If paying the required fee would create a serious financial problem, check whether you qualify for a Green Card replacement fee waiver. A fee waiver is not automatic. You must meet the current eligibility rules and provide the information or evidence required with the request.

Before filing, confirm:

• The current Form I-90 filing fee
• Whether your filing reason has a different fee instruction
• Whether a fee-waiver request is available for your situation
• Which form or supporting information the waiver request requires
• Where to include or send the request

Do not send an old fee amount just because it appeared on a previous website page. Review the current USCIS instructions immediately before you file.

What to know about replacement processing time

People often search for the Green Card replacement processing time because they need the new card for work, travel, identification, or another deadline. The available research does not provide a reliable number of days or months, so no one should promise you a delivery date based on this information.

Processing can also depend on the application details, the filing route, and whether USCIS needs more information. Treat any estimate you find outside the current official guidance as a rough clue, not a guarantee.

After filing, keep your receipt or confirmation. Use the current USCIS case-status and processing guidance to check for updates. If the official information changes, follow the newer instructions rather than an older checklist.

There is also no confirmed information here about a guaranteed expedited process. If you have an urgent reason for needing proof of your status, check the current USCIS guidance for options that may apply to your case. Don’t pay someone who promises a faster result unless you understand exactly what service they are offering and whether it is supported by current rules.

What to do if you lost your Green Card and need to travel

Travel creates a separate problem from replacing the card. Filing Form I-90 starts the replacement request, but the information provided here does not establish what documents you can use to travel without the physical Green Card.

That means you should not assume that a filing confirmation, receipt, or copy of the old card will work for every trip. Requirements can depend on your destination, your return plans, and current government rules.

If you have upcoming travel:

1. Check the current USCIS instructions for lost-card and pending-replacement situations.
2. Review the travel and entry requirements that apply to your trip.
3. Allow time to deal with document problems before leaving.
4. Keep your Form I-90 confirmation and supporting records with you.
5. Get qualified immigration advice if the trip is urgent or your status is unclear.

The same caution applies if your card is expired, stolen, or destroyed. Don’t rely on an old travel rule or a message from an unofficial website.

Common questions about replacing a Green Card

How can I get a replacement Green Card fast?

Use Form I-90 through the online or mail route that fits your situation. The available information does not confirm that one route is always faster, and it does not establish a guaranteed expedited option. Check current USCIS processing guidance before making travel or work plans.

How much does it cost to replace a lost Green Card?

The filing may require a fee, but the current dollar amount is not provided here. Check the latest USCIS fee information before filing. If you may qualify, also review the current requirements for a fee-waiver request.

Is there a new rule for Green Card holders?

The information available for this guide does not explain a specific new rule. Don’t rely on rumors or social media posts. Check current official government information for any policy change that affects Green Card holders.

Before you submit Form I-90, review the current USCIS form instructions, fee information, and processing guidance. Those details can change, and they control what you should send, how much you may need to pay, and what to expect after filing.