How to Get a Replacement Permanent Resident Card

A lost, damaged, expired, or incorrect Green Card can create a simple but stressful problem: you still need a valid card, and you need to know what to do next. The usual starting point is Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

The right path depends on why you need a new card. Start with that reason, then choose the filing method, check the likely fee, and plan for a process that may take several months.

First, decide why the card needs replacing

Permanent residents may need a new card for several different reasons. For example, the card may be:

• Lost or stolen
• Damaged or unreadable
• Expired or close to expiring
• Issued with incorrect information
• No longer showing current information after a change

The reason matters because the fee can depend on it. The filing method can matter too. A replacement request filed online may have a different cost from one filed through another method.

There’s also a useful difference between renewing and replacing a Green Card:

• Renewal usually means the card is expiring or has already expired.
• Replacement can mean getting a new card because the original was lost, stolen, damaged, or contains an error.

People often use “Green Card renewal” and “green card replacement” to mean the same thing in casual conversation. For the application, though, you need to select the reason that matches your situation.

The form that starts the request

The main form for this process is Form I-90. Its full name is the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

This is the form used to request a new Permanent Resident Card, also called a Green Card. It covers both many renewal situations and many replacement situations.

Before you begin, identify the reason that best describes your case. Someone replacing a damaged card may need to give different information from someone whose card was lost. Choosing the wrong reason can lead to delays or a request for more information.

The supplied information confirms that a Permanent Resident Card replacement application can be filed online. USCIS may also provide another filing route, but the current instructions should control which options are available for your case.

Pick the filing route that fits your case

Online filing

A Green Card renewal online or replacement request can be started through the USCIS online filing system. Online filing may make it easier to enter information, save progress, and submit the application electronically.

The general path looks like this:

1. Confirm that Form I-90 matches your situation.
2. Open the current USCIS page for Form I-90.
3. Follow the instructions for creating or using an online account, if required.
4. Enter your personal and card information carefully.
5. Choose the reason for the request.
6. Review the fee shown for your case.
7. Submit the form and save the confirmation records.

Do not rely on an old fee amount or an old screenshot of the online form. USCIS can change the form, payment steps, filing rules, or evidence requirements.

Filing through another available method

If you do not file online, use the current filing instructions from USCIS for the other method available to you. The exact address, payment process, supporting documents, and signature rules need to come from the current Form I-90 instructions.

“In person” does not automatically mean you can walk into a USCIS office and submit the application there. Appointment and office rules can be limited. Check the current USCIS directions before going anywhere.

Work out the likely replacement fee

The available search information places the green card replacement fee in a range of $415 to $465. The amount can vary based on:

• Why you are filing
• Whether you submit the application online or through another filing method

That range is a planning figure, not a promise that every applicant will pay the same amount. The fee shown for your application and filing route is the amount that matters.

Before submitting, check all of these points:

• The current Form I-90 fee
• Whether the fee changes based on your reason
• Whether online and non-online filing have different charges
• Which payment methods USCIS currently accepts
• Whether the fee is paid at the time of filing

A wrong payment or outdated fee can cause problems with the filing. If the amount shown on the current USCIS page differs from the range above, follow the current USCIS amount.

Get your information ready before you submit

Taking a few minutes to gather your details can help you avoid corrections later. Keep the following nearby:

• Your current or previous Permanent Resident Card, if you still have it
• The card number and expiration date, if available
• Your full legal name and any former names that the form asks about
• Your current mailing address
• The reason you need a new card
• Details about when the card was lost, damaged, or became incorrect
• Any documents the current Form I-90 instructions say you must include
• A way to pay the required fee

If the card was lost, you may not have the card number or a copy. Do not guess at information. Use the current USCIS instructions to see how to complete the form when the original card is unavailable.

Read every answer before submitting. Check names, dates, addresses, and card details. A small typing mistake can create extra work later, especially if mail or notices go to the wrong address.

Save a copy of the completed application and the payment or filing confirmation. Keep those records somewhere you can reach them later.

After USCIS receives the application

After filing, keep an eye on the contact details connected to your application. USCIS may send a receipt or another notice. You may also receive a request for more information if something is missing or needs clarification.

The exact next steps can depend on the reason for filing and the filing method. That is why the current USCIS instructions and notices matter more than a general checklist.

A few practical habits can help:

• Save the receipt and confirmation messages.
• Check for USCIS notices.
• Update your mailing information if it changes.
• Keep copies of anything you send.
• Respond by the deadline shown on any notice.

Submitting Form I-90 does not mean the replacement card will arrive right away. Treat the application as an ongoing case until USCIS has finished processing it and you have received the card or further instructions.

Lost card, upcoming travel: slow down before making plans

If you’re thinking, “I lost my green card and need to travel,” the first step is to separate two questions:

1. How do you request a replacement card?
2. What documents or proof will be accepted for your specific travel situation?

Form I-90 addresses the first question. It is the form identified for requesting a replacement Green Card after the original is lost. The information available for this guide does not establish a complete travel procedure, a guaranteed temporary document, or a specific set of documents that will work for every trip.

That means you should not assume that:

• A submitted Form I-90 is by itself proof for travel
• A filing receipt will always be accepted for every purpose
• A replacement card will arrive before your departure
• The same travel steps apply to every permanent resident

Before making travel arrangements, check current USCIS information and get advice from a qualified immigration professional if your timing is urgent. Also confirm any document requirements that apply to the trip itself. The safest path depends on facts this guide does not have, such as your destination, departure date, current documents, and the status of your application.

How long the process may take

One search result gives an estimated processing time of about 6 to 12 months for Green Card replacement.

Use that as a rough expectation, not a guaranteed delivery date. Processing can vary with the reason for the application, filing method, notices from USCIS, and other case details. The estimate also does not promise that every applicant will receive a card within that window.

Plan around the possibility of a long wait. If you have work, travel, identification, or other deadlines, do not wait until the last minute to start the replacement request.

A few answers people often look for

Can I get a replacement for my Permanent Resident Card?

Yes. Form I-90 is the application used to request a replacement Green Card. The application can be filed online, and USCIS may list another available filing method in its current instructions.

What should I do after losing my permanent residency card?

Use the situation-specific reason on Form I-90 and follow the current USCIS instructions. If you also need to travel, treat that as a separate issue and verify the documents and process that apply to your circumstances.

What is the latest rule for Green Card holders?

The information available for this guide does not identify or explain a new rule. Do not rely on social media posts or unsourced claims for an immigration rule. Check a current, authoritative source or speak with a qualified immigration professional.

Because this subject can affect immigration status and travel, have this information reviewed by a qualified immigration professional before publishing or relying on it. Before you submit anything, verify the latest Form I-90 instructions, filing fee, payment rules, and required documents on the official USCIS website.