How to Report a Lost Green Card

A lost green card creates two separate tasks. Reporting the loss helps you document what happened and protect yourself. Replacing the card is the USCIS process, and it usually starts with Form I-90. Handle both, but don’t treat a police report as a replacement application.

What to do immediately after losing your green card

Start by writing down the details while they’re fresh. Note:

• When you last had the card
• Where you think it was lost or stolen
• The date you noticed it was missing
• Whether other items were missing too
• Your card number, if you have a photo or copy of it
• Any steps you take after the loss

Look through your home, car, workplace, bags, and places you visited recently. If you think you left it at a business or on public transport, contact the lost-and-found office. A card that turns up may save you extra steps.

If the card was stolen, or if you believe someone may have access to your personal information, consider filing a police report. You can also contact your bank and credit bureaus if your wallet or other identity documents were taken. Keep copies of reports, emails, and notes about every call.

This is the reporting and protection stage. It does not replace the card. To get a new card, you’ll generally need to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, through Form I-90.

A conditional permanent resident also needs to replace a card that was lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. If your card has conditional-resident status, check that your replacement steps fit your situation before filing.

When to file a police report

A police report can make sense when the card was stolen, when the loss happened during a break-in, or when several identity documents disappeared at the same time. It can create a record of the incident and may help if you later need to explain what happened.

You don’t need to wait for a police report before beginning the USCIS replacement process. The report and the Form I-90 serve different purposes:

• Police report: Records a possible theft or loss with law enforcement.
• Form I-90: Asks USCIS to issue a replacement Permanent Resident Card.
• Bank and credit-bureau contacts: Help you respond to possible identity misuse.

If you simply misplaced the card and there is no sign of theft, you can still document the loss and apply for a replacement. The key is to keep a clear record of what happened and what you did next.

Apply for a replacement with Form I-90

Form I-90 is the main green card replacement form. It is used to request a replacement Permanent Resident Card in situations such as:

• The card was lost or stolen
• The card was damaged, mutilated, or destroyed
• The card never arrived
• The card needs to be replaced for another reason covered by the form

Follow the current USCIS filing instructions when you prepare the application. The form may be available through USCIS filing channels that can change, so use the current version and instructions rather than relying on an old saved copy.

Your application should explain the card problem accurately. If the card was stolen, say that. If it was lost and you don’t know where, describe it as lost. If you never received it, choose the option that matches that situation.

The basic process is:

1. Get the current Form I-90 and read the filing instructions.
2. Select the reason you need a replacement.
3. Enter your personal and immigration information carefully.
4. Add any evidence the current instructions ask for.
5. Pay the required filing fee, unless an approved fee-waiver option applies.
6. Save a copy of the complete filing and proof that it was submitted.
7. Watch for USCIS notices and respond by the stated deadline.

Before submitting, check names, dates, addresses, and identification details. A small mistake can lead to a request for more information or other delays.

What information, evidence, and fee Form I-90 may require

Form I-90 may ask for details that help USCIS identify you and match the application to your permanent resident record. This can include information from your missing card, if you have a copy, as well as your current personal and immigration details.

Gather what you can before starting. Useful records may include:

• A copy or photograph of the lost card
• A police report, if one was filed
• Other documents showing your identity
• USCIS notices or prior immigration records
• Proof connected to the reason for replacement

The exact evidence depends on why you’re filing and what the current USCIS instructions request. Don’t assume that a police report is always required, or that one document will work in every case.

Form I-90 also requires the applicable filing fee. The search information available for this guide does not establish a current dollar amount. Fees can change, and the amount may depend on the filing method or the reason for the application. Check the current USCIS fee information before you pay.

Keep your submission records in one place. Save the application, payment confirmation, uploaded files, mailing receipt if you file by mail, and every notice USCIS sends you.

What to do before traveling while the replacement is pending

Travel can be harder when you no longer have the physical card. A pending Form I-90 does not automatically answer every question about leaving or returning to the United States.

If you need to travel, first check what documents you currently have and what temporary proof USCIS may issue or accept in your situation. Ask USCIS about the available proof before you leave, especially if your application is still being processed.

Do not assume that:

• A police report is enough for travel
• A copy of the lost card works the same as the original
• A Form I-90 receipt by itself will solve every travel problem
• There is one fixed travel rule for every permanent resident

The supplied information does not establish how long a permanent resident can stay outside the United States without risking an immigration problem. It also does not provide a universal travel time limit. For that reason, don’t rely on a general number found in an online post.

If your trip is soon, explain that when contacting USCIS and ask what temporary documentation may be available. If your travel plans involve other immigration concerns, a qualified immigration lawyer may be able to review the details. A replacement application is still important, but it may not answer every issue related to a particular trip.

How to protect your identity after a lost or stolen card

A green card contains personal information. The risk is higher if it was lost with your passport, driver’s license, bank cards, Social Security card, or other documents.

Take practical steps based on what disappeared:

• Contact your bank if payment cards or account information were involved.
• Contact the credit bureaus if you’re concerned about new accounts or other misuse.
• Change passwords if a wallet, phone, or computer was also lost.
• Review bank and card statements for activity you don’t recognize.
• Keep the police report number and copies of all related records.
• Write down the dates and names of people you speak with.

You don’t need to wait for USCIS to finish processing Form I-90 before taking these steps. Identity protection is separate from immigration paperwork, and it can start as soon as you notice the loss.

If the card later turns up, keep the records you created. Don’t assume you should cancel or withdraw your replacement request without checking the current USCIS instructions.

Replacement timelines and temporary proof of status

There is no specific replacement timeline established in the information used for this guide. The time can depend on the application, USCIS processing, notices, and any request for additional evidence.

So, how long does it take to replace a lost green card? The safest answer is that you should not plan around a guaranteed number of days or weeks. Check the current USCIS processing information and track your case after filing.

The process may include temporary proof while USCIS handles the replacement. This can matter if you need to show your permanent resident status before the new card arrives.

Temporary proof is not something to guess about. Ask USCIS what is available for your case and what it can be used for. Make sure you understand:

• How to request it
• How long it may be valid
• Whether it covers the purpose you have in mind
• What documents you need to bring or submit

Keep your USCIS receipt and notices together. If USCIS asks for more evidence, respond by the deadline in the notice. Missing a request can make the process harder.

Replacement fees and possible fee-waiver questions

The replacement process requires the applicable Form I-90 fee unless USCIS approves another option. The exact amount is not provided in the search material for this article, so verify the current fee before filing.

If paying the fee would be difficult, look into the current Green Card replacement fee waiver rules. A waiver is not automatic. USCIS may have specific eligibility standards, forms, evidence, and filing instructions.

Before asking for a waiver, check:

• Whether the current Form I-90 instructions mention a waiver
• Which separate form, if any, USCIS requires
• What proof of financial hardship or eligibility is accepted
• Whether the waiver request must be filed with Form I-90
• Whether the fee amount or payment method has changed

Don’t send a payment amount based on an old website or an outdated form. The same caution applies to fee-waiver paperwork. Use the current USCIS instructions for the application date.

If you’re asking, “How much is a replacement green card if lost?” the answer depends on the current USCIS fee rules and your filing situation. The supplied information confirms that a fee applies, but it does not confirm a dollar amount.

The same careful approach applies to the question, “What should I do if my green card is lost?” Document the loss, consider a police report if theft is involved, protect your identity, and file Form I-90 for the replacement. Before submitting anything, verify the current Form I-90 filing instructions, fee, evidence requirements, and temporary-proof options directly with USCIS.