How to Replace a Green Card

A green card is an essential and valuable document that grants permanent residence in the United States. Not only does it give you the right to stay and work permanently in the US, but it is also needed in various instances such as renewing your driver’s license, applying for loans and mortgage, and every time you re-enter the US after a foreign trip.

But if you lose your green card or if it expires, you must renew or replace it right away. Since the renewal of a green card is a long, time-consuming, and often somewhat confusing process, you need to be very careful at every step. However, it can be beneficial if you are well aware of the process of green card renewal, the various steps involved, and what documents may be required. So read on to know all about how you can renew or replace a green card.

How to Replace a Green Card

We’ll guide you through the various stages of applying for a new green card, starting with obtaining and filling form I-90.

Step 1: Fill Form I-90

Form I-90 is the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. You can find it online on the USCIS portal, along with a detailed set of instructions on how to fill the form.

If you’re confident that you can fill everything on your own, download the form as well as the instructions and then follow it to enter all required details. But if you have doubts, there are third-party services that can assist you in filing form I-90.

While you’re filling the form I-90, it is also recommended that you fill form G-1145 along with it. This form is also called E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and its purpose is to request the USCIS to notify you through mail or SMS when a certain application is accepted, which, in this case, is the application for renewal of a green card.

Step 2: Submit Form I-90 with the Required Documents

Once the form is filled completely and accurately, you need to put it together with all the required documents and mail the package to USCIS. The list of required documents is also mentioned in the set of instructions with form I-90.

If you’re applying for a new green card, if the existing one is expired or about to expire, then you need to submit a copy of the green card. But if you have lost your green card and don’t have its copy, other ID documents such as a passport or driver’s license must be submitted. Other supporting documents may be required depending on why you’re applying for a new green card, such as if you want to change your name or personal info or classify as a commuter.

Step 3: Keep a Record of Your Submission

If your application is accepted, USCIS will mail you Form I-797C, Notice of Action. This form serves as a notice that your Form I-90 has been accepted. It takes about 2 to 3 weeks after the application to receive Form I-797C. But if you had also submitted form G-1145 as suggested in Step 1, then you will get a notification on your SMS or email within just 24 hours after the USCIS accepts your application.

Keep the form I-797C safely with you as it’s evidence that your green card renewal application has been approved. Both the email/SMS notification and the Form I-797C contain a ‘receipt number’ which can be used to track the status of your application on the USCIS website.

Step 4: Attend the Biometrics Appointment

Once you receive the confirmation from USCIS that your application has been accepted, they will also schedule a biometrics appointment and mail you a notice regarding the same. The appointment notice may also contain instructions to carry some other documents, if necessary, so take the letter and any required documents and attend the appointment on schedule. Your fingerprint and a photo will be taken during the appointment for your new green card.

Step 5: Wait for the New Green Card

Finally, all that’s left is to wait for the arrival of your new green card. The complete process from filling the Form I-90 until you get your new green card can take about 8-10 months. When the green card arrives, make a copy of it for safekeeping right away, which can be helpful if you lose or damage your card in the future.

Reasons to Replace or Renew Your Green Card

The most common and obvious reason to renew your green card is if it’s already expired or has 6 months or less validity left. Other reasons to replace the green card can be as follows:

• The card was either lost or stolen.
• The card was damaged, expired or destroyed.
• Your personal information is incorrectly printed on the card, or if it contains any other errors.
• You have legally changed your name or any other personal information.
• If you received your card before 14 years of age, you must apply for a new one after your 14^th birthday.
•  If you are changing your status from permanent resident to commuter or vice versa.
• You never received the original card even after it was issued.

How to Obtain a Temporary Proof of Permanent Residence with the I-551 Stamp

As mentioned above, even after applying for a new green card, it can take as long as ten months to receive the new card. If you need to show proof of permanent residence for any other purpose during this time, such as applying for a loan or renewing your driver’s license, it can be a problem since you don’t have a valid green card in hand.

In such cases, there is a provision where you can obtain temporary evidence that can prove your status as a permanent resident, which is the I-551 stamp. This stamp is usually imprinted on your passport to prove permanent residence until you receive the new green card.

The complete process of filling for the I-551 stamp is explained below.

Step 1: Fill Form I-90

The first step is to apply for a new green card by filling and submitting Form I-90, as explained earlier.

Step 2: Get your Notice of Action and the Receipt Number

Next, wait for your application to be accepted and for the USCIS to mail you form I-797C, Notice of Action, which confirms that your request is approved. The form will also contain the receipt number.

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment for I-551 Stamp

Call or visit a USCIS office near you to schedule an appointment to get the I-551 stamp on your passport. When scheduling your appointment, be prepared to explain why you need temporary evidence for permanent residence and cannot simply wait for the new card to arrive. Also, inquire what documents you need to bring along with you for the appointment.

Step 4: Attend Your Appointment on Schedule

Finally, appear for your appointment with all required documents in hand. It’s a must to carry along a valid and unexpired passport to get the stamp on, along with the form I-797C. You should also carry a copy of your green card if you have one. If any other documents have been requested for the appointment, make sure you have them all with you. Then the USCIS officials will imprint the I-551 stamp on your passport during the appointment.

Read More

• Can I Stay More Than 6 Months Outside the U.S. with a Green Card?
• Green Card Process Steps: EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Visa
• SSN Update After Green Card
• How Long Does it Take for USCIS to Make a Decision After an Interview?
• Can You Be Deported if You are Married to an American Citizen?
• Which Countries Can You Visit With a Green Card?

Conclusion

Applying for a new green card can take months, and any mistakes or errors during the application will only make the process longer and more complicated. That’s why it’s important that you properly understand how the process works and the steps you must follow.

This complete guide should be helpful for you to understand how to replace or renew a green card. And we advise that you go through each of the steps explained above very carefully, ensuring there are no errors along the way so that you can get your new card without any hassles and as soon as possible.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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