How to Replace Green Card

A missing, damaged, expired, or incorrect Green Card can create problems when you need to prove your permanent resident status. The usual starting point is Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

The practical path is simple:

1. Work out why the card needs replacing.
2. Check whether Form I-90 fits your situation.
3. Choose an online or mail filing method.
4. Confirm the current fee and gather your identity information.
5. Plan ahead if you need to travel while the replacement is pending.

The details matter. Fees, filing instructions, travel rules, and temporary proof can change, so check the latest USCIS instructions before you send anything.

When you need to replace or renew a Green Card

Permanent residents generally use Form I-90 when they need a new physical Green Card for one of several reasons. That can include a card that was:

• Lost
• Stolen
• Destroyed
• Damaged
• Expired
• Printed with incorrect information
• Never received

If you lost your card, someone stole it, or it was destroyed, the basic issue is replacing the missing card. You may still have permanent resident status, but you no longer have the physical card that helps show it.

An expired card is a little different in everyday language. People often say they want to “renew” a Green Card. In the Form I-90 process, however, renewing an expired card still means applying for a replacement Permanent Resident Card. The form is still called Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

That distinction helps prevent a common mistake: searching only for a “renew Green Card” process and missing the Form I-90 instructions.

If the card contains a mistake, such as incorrect information, the reason for filing may affect what evidence or explanation you need. A card that never arrived may also require different details from a card that was lost years later. Read the current form instructions carefully before choosing a filing reason.

Form I-90 is not automatically the answer to every immigration document problem. If your issue involves a different type of immigration document, a change in status, or a complicated record problem, pause before filing and check the current USCIS guidance or speak with a qualified immigration professional.

Use Form I-90 to apply for a replacement card

The central form for replacing a Green Card is Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

Before you begin, identify the situation as clearly as you can:

• You have the card, but it is expired or about to expire.
• The card was lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• The card arrived with incorrect information.
• You never received the card.
• The card is damaged and no longer works well as proof of your status.

This first decision matters because the form asks why you are applying. Give the reason that best matches what happened. Keep your explanation clear and consistent with any documents you provide.

Do not treat the form as a general immigration application. Its purpose is to replace the physical Permanent Resident Card. If you are unsure whether your problem fits that purpose, review the latest Form I-90 instructions before filing.

A useful way to think about the process is this:

The form starts the replacement request. It does not erase the need to plan for travel, pay the correct fee, or keep temporary proof of status.

How to file Form I-90 online or by mail

USCIS provides two main ways to submit Form I-90: through its online filing system or by sending a paper application by mail.

Choose the online filing option

Online filing may be useful if you prefer to complete the form electronically and manage the application through an online account. You will need to follow the current USCIS steps for creating or accessing the account, completing Form I-90, uploading anything requested, and paying the filing fee.

Before submitting, read through every answer. Check names, dates, addresses, and the reason for replacement. A small typing error can create a new problem, especially when the application is replacing a card that already contains your correct information.

Save copies of what you submit. Keep the confirmation and any payment record with your immigration papers.

Send a paper application by mail

You can also complete Form I-90 on paper and mail it to the address listed in the current filing instructions.

Use the edition of the form USCIS currently accepts. Follow the instructions for signing the form, including any rules about signatures and supporting documents. Put together a complete packet before mailing it, and keep a full copy for your records.

Do not rely on an old mailing address found in a saved document or an unrelated website. USCIS filing addresses and instructions can change. Check the current Form I-90 materials before sending the package.

Pick one method and check it carefully

Online and mail filing are two routes to the same basic application. The better choice depends on which method you can complete accurately and document well.

Whichever route you choose:

• Use your current contact information.
• Answer every required question.
• Review the replacement reason before submitting.
• Confirm the fee shown in the current instructions.
• Keep copies of the entire application and proof of submission.

Avoid filing twice just because you are waiting for a response. If you think something went wrong, check the status or get qualified help before sending a second application.

What documents and identity information to prepare

Form I-90 may require identity information and documents connected to your Green Card. The exact items can depend on why you are applying, so use the current form instructions as your checklist.

Start by gathering the information you can confirm:

• Your full name and any other names connected to your immigration records
• Your current address and contact details
• Your Green Card information, if you still have a copy or can access the details
• The reason the card needs replacing
• Details about when the card was lost, stolen, damaged, or never received
• Information needed to identify your permanent resident record

If the card was lost or stolen, write down what happened while the details are fresh. You may need to explain the situation on the form. If the card was damaged or contains an error, keep the card if you still have it unless the current instructions say otherwise.

Make clear copies of documents rather than sending irreplaceable originals unless the instructions specifically call for one. For an online application, use readable electronic copies in the file format and size USCIS accepts.

Your identity information must match across the form and supporting documents as closely as possible. If names, dates, or other key details do not match, do not guess. Check the instructions or ask a qualified immigration professional how to explain the difference.

Green Card replacement fees and possible fee waivers

The Green Card replacement fee is often listed in the $415 to $465 range in search results. Treat that as a starting reference, not a guaranteed amount. The amount you owe depends on the current USCIS fee rules and the details of your filing.

Before submitting Form I-90, check:

• The current filing fee
• Whether a separate service or biometric-related charge applies
• Which payment methods USCIS accepts
• Whether your reason for filing changes the amount
• Whether you may qualify for a fee waiver

A fee waiver may be available in some situations, but eligibility is not automatic. A Green Card replacement fee waiver usually requires its own request and supporting information. Read the current instructions for the fee-waiver process before assuming you can file Form I-90 without payment.

Do not send the old amount from a previous application or rely on a number copied from a search result. USCIS can reject or delay an application if the payment is wrong. Confirm the amount immediately before filing.

If you are filing by mail, follow the payment instructions exactly. If you are filing online, use the payment method shown in the online system. Keep proof that you paid or submitted a fee-waiver request.

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

“I lost my Green Card and need to travel” is a time-sensitive problem. Filing Form I-90 is only one part of the plan. You also need to think about how you will show your status while the replacement is pending.

Do not assume that a Form I-90 receipt, a copy of your old card, or a pending application will always be enough for travel. The right proof can depend on your circumstances and the current rules.

Before making travel arrangements:

1. Check the latest USCIS travel and temporary-proof instructions.
2. Confirm what documents you currently have.
3. Find out whether you need temporary evidence of permanent resident status.
4. Allow time to obtain that evidence before leaving.
5. Get qualified immigration advice if the trip is urgent or your situation is unusual.

If the card was stolen, keep any records that help explain the theft. If it was lost, record when you noticed it was missing and what steps you took. These details may help you answer questions about the replacement request, although they do not replace the need to follow current USCIS instructions.

Travel can also raise questions that Form I-90 alone does not answer. If you have a prior immigration issue, a criminal case, a long absence, or another unusual fact, get advice before traveling rather than treating card replacement as a complete travel clearance.

Replacement processing time and temporary proof of status

There is no reliable processing-time figure in the supplied information, and replacement times can change. Avoid planning around a fixed number of weeks or months unless the current USCIS processing information supports it.

The Green Card replacement processing time may also depend on the reason for filing, whether the application is complete, and whether USCIS needs more information. A missing document, incorrect fee, or unclear answer can slow the case.

After filing, keep all notices and payment records together. Watch for requests from USCIS and respond by the deadline shown on the notice.

While the application is pending, USCIS may provide or explain how to obtain temporary proof of permanent resident status. The exact form of that proof and the way to request it can change. Follow the current instructions rather than relying on an old notice or advice from someone with a different case.

Temporary proof may be especially important if you need to:

• Travel outside the United States
• Show your status to an employer
• Replace another identity document
• Deal with an agency that asks for evidence of permanent residence

A receipt showing that you filed Form I-90 is not the same thing as a replacement card. Keep it, but check whether it serves the purpose you need before relying on it.

When a Green Card problem may require additional immigration help

A standard replacement case may be fairly direct, but some problems need more than Form I-90.

Consider getting qualified immigration help if:

• Your name or other key information changed and the records do not match.
• You never received the card and are unsure what happened.
• Your card has a serious printing error.
• You need to travel soon and have no current proof of status.
• You have been outside the United States for a long period.
• You have a criminal or immigration history.
• USCIS sent a notice you do not understand.
• Your application was rejected, denied, or returned.
• You are worried about removal or deportation.

The available information does not establish what current political rules may mean for Green Card holders. It also does not explain every situation in which a permanent resident could face removal. Those are separate legal questions and need current, qualified immigration advice.

The same caution applies to claims about a new administration rule or whether immigration enforcement can remove someone who has a Green Card. Do not base a serious decision on a headline, social media post, or general replacement guide.

Before filing, check the latest Form I-90 instructions, filing address, fee, payment rules, travel guidance, and temporary-proof details. If you need to travel, face a removal concern, or have an unusual case, speak with a qualified immigration professional before taking the next step.