Key Takeaways:

  • If you have a lost-green-card, replace it immediately using Form I-90.
  • File a police report to document the loss and prevent identity theft.
  • You can obtain temporary proof of status while waiting for a replacement.
  • If you lose your green card abroad, apply for Form I-131A for a travel document.
  • Processing times typically take 4-5 months, but expedited processing is available for urgent cases.
  • Employers can accept alternative proof of permanent residency for employment verification.
  • Conditional residents must file Form I-751 before their green card expires.
  • USCIS charges a $455 application fee plus an $85 biometrics fee for replacement.
  • Check your case status online using the USCIS Case Receipt Number.

Lost Green Card

A lost green card refers to a card (which one has misplaced) that serves as tangible and legal proof of your right to live and work in America. A common alternate name for a green card is a permanent resident card. If you are 18 years or older, the law requires that you carry your green card to serve as proof of your residency in the States. You will need to replace your permanent resident card as soon as you get the chance if you lost it or someone stole it.

Replacing Lost or Stolen Green Cards

You need to fill out Form I-90, which is called the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, to replace your stolen or lost green card. Ensure that you pay close attention to the instructions when filling out Form I-90. If there are inconsistencies and omissions in your applications, delays and immigration problems can occur. You can download the application from USCIS or you can use CitizenPath services to file the application.

How to Replace a Green Card That Never Arrived

If you applied for a new or renewed green card and it never arrived, you may need to replace it. USCIS allows you to file Form I-90 without paying the filing fee in certain cases:

  • If USCIS mailed your green card but it was lost in transit and you never received it.
  • If your green card was returned to USCIS as undeliverable.

To qualify for a fee waiver, you must file Form I-90 within 30 days of the non-receipt notice and provide proof that USCIS mailed it to the correct address.

Steps to Take When Replacing a Lost or Stolen Green Card

You should take the following steps to replace a stolen or lost permanent resident card:

  1. Go to the USCIS website to download the most recent version of Form I-90.
  2. Get copies of your birth certificate, driver's license, passport, and other supporting documents.
  3. Send a check or money order for the filing fee.
  4. Review the application for errors, inconsistencies, and omissions.
  5. Check your mail for a letter about a biometrics appointment.
  6. Get an I-551 stamp or get temporary proof of your permanent resident or green card status by going to an appointment at your local immigration field office.
  7. Check your mail regularly for your replacement green card.

Additional Steps to Take When Replacing a Lost or Stolen Green Card

You should speak to a police officer at a local police station and fill out a police report to let them know that someone stole your green card or that you lost it. Bring any documentation about the green card along with you to file the police report. Some examples of documentation include a copy of the green card, a written account, and an approval letter for green card renewal.

Preventing Identity Theft After Losing Your Green Card

A lost-green-card can put you at risk of identity theft if someone finds and misuses it. To protect yourself:

  • Report the loss to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.
  • Monitor your credit report for fraudulent activities using AnnualCreditReport.com.
  • Place a fraud alert on your financial accounts by contacting major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax).
  • Notify the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and USCIS if you suspect fraudulent use.

These steps can help you safeguard your identity and prevent legal complications.

Processing your Application: What to Expect

Authorities will review your request for a replacement green card after you submit the application. The authorities may contact you for more information like an interview, biometrics, and documents. When the authorities approve the application, they will send you a replacement green card by mail. However, if the authorities deny your application, you will need to submit a motion to have your case reopened and reconsidered. You cannot appeal a decision made by the authorities.

How to Expedite Green Card Replacement Processing

Standard processing for a lost-green-card replacement takes around 4-5 months, but USCIS allows expedited processing in emergency situations, such as:

  • Travel emergencies requiring immediate proof of permanent residency.
  • Employment delays due to a missing green card.
  • Medical or humanitarian emergencies.

To request expedited processing:

  1. Call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to explain your situation.
  2. Schedule an InfoPass appointment at your local USCIS office.
  3. Provide supporting documents, such as travel itineraries or employer letters.

Traveling Outside the States

You will need your green card to re-enter the United States after traveling to a foreign country. If you don't have a green card when you attempt to re-enter the United States, you may not be allowed to enter. However, if you have a passport from your mother country, you may be able to do the following:

  1. Use Form I-90 to replace your lost green card.
  2. You will receive I-797, which is the Notice of Action, in the mail from USCIS.
  3. Schedule an appointment with your local USCIS office.
  4. Go to your appointment with the Notice of Action and passport and request "I-551."

Not only should you take your stamped passport with you when out of the country, but you should also have a copy of the Notice of Action with you.

Re-Entering the U.S. Without a Green Card

If you lose your green card while traveling abroad, you cannot board a flight to the U.S. without proper documentation. Follow these steps to obtain a boarding foil (travel document):

  1. File Form I-131A at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
  2. Pay the I-131A fee online at the USCIS website.
  3. Provide proof of identity and permanent residency, such as a passport with an I-551 stamp or a copy of your lost green card.

Once approved, the boarding foil allows you to return to the U.S. and later apply for a replacement green card..

Green Cards Lost or Stolen Outside the U.S.

If you want to get on an airplane bound for America, you will need to have a travel document. You can get a travel document by filling out Form I-131A, which is the Application for Travel Document. You will need to file it at a nearby U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Once you get to the United States, you will need to use Form I-90 to replace your stolen or lost green card.

Starting a New Job

You need a green card to provide your potential employer with proof of employment authorization. Therefore, if you lose your green card, your potential employer may refuse to offer you a position. However, the employer may accept a photocopy of the stolen or lost green card. The employer may also accept a Notice of Action as proof that you are working on replacing the green card.

Proof of Permanent Residency for Employment

A lost-green-card can delay employment verification, but alternative documents can prove your right to work. Employers may accept:

  • A valid foreign passport with an I-551 stamp.
  • A Notice of Action (Form I-797C) confirming your replacement application.
  • A state-issued driver’s license combined with a Social Security card.

Employers must accept these alternatives under Form I-9 verification rules.

Revealing Info to Employer

Unless your current employer asks for the green card, you do not need to tell your current employer that you lost your green card.

Cost to Replace

The USCIS charges $455 as a filing fee for Form I-90, which you must fill out to replace a stolen or lost green card. There is also a biometrics fee of $85.

Replacement Time

It usually takes about four or five months to replace a stolen or lost green card. The period that it takes to replace green card often depends on the details of your case as well as the workload at your local USCIS location.

How to Check Your Green Card Replacement Status

USCIS provides multiple ways to track your lost-green-card replacement application:

  • Online Tracking: Use the Case Status Online tool on USCIS.gov.
  • USCIS Contact Center: Call 1-800-375-5283 for updates.
  • e-Request Form: If your case takes longer than expected, file an e-Request to inquire about delays.
  • InfoPass Appointments: Schedule an in-person visit if urgent assistance is needed.

Reporting to the Police

You should report your stolen or lost green card to the local police department. That way, if someone tries to your green card to steal your identity, the police department will be able to use the report as a record. As for the USCIS, all you need to do is file the Form I-90.

Form I-90

The documents that you will need to provide with Form I-90 will depend on the answers you provided on the form. Most people need to provide a copy of an ID issued by the government and the USCIS filing fee. A passport, driver's license, and U.S. military ID are all acceptable examples of government-issued ID.

Conditional Residents

Before your green card expires, you will need to file a Form I-751, which is referred to as a Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.

Application Status

You can go to USCIS's website to check your application's status. However, you will need your Case Receipt Number.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What should I do if my green card was stolen?
    File a police report, notify USCIS, and apply for a replacement using Form I-90.
  2. Can I work while waiting for my replacement green card?
    Yes, you can use a passport with an I-551 stamp or a Notice of Action (Form I-797C) as proof of employment authorization.
  3. How long does it take to get a replacement green card?
    It typically takes 4-5 months, but expedited processing is available for urgent situations.
  4. Can I travel internationally if I lost my green card?
    If abroad, you must obtain a boarding foil via Form I-131A to return to the U.S.
  5. How much does it cost to replace a lost green card?
    The USCIS filing fee is $455, plus an $85 biometrics fee, totaling $540.

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