Complete I-90 Instructions

When filling out forms offered by the USCIS, perfect accuracy is expected of the applicant. And the government does an excellent job of ensuring that people meet that requirement. An instruction sheet accompanies every form, including Form I-90. In this article, we’ll explain the I-90 instruction sheet for you.

What Is Form I-90?

Form I-90, officially known as the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is a document filed by the legal permanent residents (LPRs) of the United States who need to renew or replace their green cards.

The form is filed with the USCIS if your green card has expired, is nearing expiration, is lost, or is damaged. Most permanent residents are offered a 10-year green card. They need to maintain their green card status throughout those 10 years to stay in the U.S. legally. But after 10 years, an LPR will lose their status if their green card expires. Therefore, an LPR should renew their green card at least six months before it expires.

Besides LPRs, permanent residents with commuter status and conditional permanent residents also use this form to adjust their status.

How to Complete Form I-90

Form I-90 is a seven-page form that asks you for all the information necessary to renew your green card. To help you out, there’s a 13-page instruction sheet. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of filling out Form I-90.

But before that, a few general instructions which you must bear in mind when filling out I-90. Those are:

• You can fill this out online or by hand. If completing it by hand, you must write legibly with blank ink.
• Answer all the questions that apply to you. Since many types of applicants submit this form, you must specify your case throughout the application. Leave out the sections that don’t apply to you.
• Do not complete the sections that read, “For USCIS use only.” This is intended to be completed by USCIS for further processing.
• You can complete Form I-90 in your language. But you must provide a copy with a full English translation.
• Signatures are extremely important. Any unsigned form is rejected immediately. Therefore, always sign in the required places.
• If you need extra space to complete a question, use the additional information section at the bottom.
• At the time of filing, you must supplement the form with evidence and supporting documents.
• The documents submitted must be photocopies, not originals.
• The USCIS may require you to take a submit biometric verification. It will inform you in advance but be prepared for it.

Here are all the parts of Form I-90 and their instructions:

Part 1. Information About You

The first section of Form I-90 is information about you. It is completely straightforward, and you probably won’t have to refer to the instruction sheet. You can complete it on your own. The questions asked in this section are:

• Alien Registration Number (A-number)
• USCIS Online Account Number (if any)
• Your full name (family name, given name, middle name)
• Has your name changed since the issuance of your Permanent Resident Card? If yes, provide your new legal name.
• Mailing address
• Residential address
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Country of birth
• Mother’s name
• Father’s name
• Class of admission
• Date of admission
• U.S. Social Security number (if any)

If you’re confused about any of the above, you can refer to the instruction sheet for an explanation.

Part 2. Application Type

In this section, you will describe whether you’re a permanent resident, commuter resident, or conditional resident. Because each type of applicant will have to fill out the form differently based on this information, you’ll be directed to Section A or B, depending on which reason you’re applying for a new card. Section A is used by LPRs, while conditional residents use section B.

Part 3. Processing Information

This section has four questions:

• The location where you originally submitted your green card application, whether at an embassy, consulate, or USCIS office.
• The location where your green card was approved, which should be the same as the first.
• The Port of Entry where you arrived and the location where you settled. If your final destination was Washington, but you landed at Seattle, Seattle is your POE and Washington the location.
• Fill out the final section only if you’ve been to an immigration court for any reason.

Part 4. Accommodations for Individuals With Disabilities and/or Impairments

If you have a disability and want help filling out the application, complete this section — tick the correct boxes to specify the type of disability.

Part 5. Applicant’s Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

In this section, you’re essentially declaring that you’ve provided all the necessary information and it is all true, to your knowledge. It is important to read the Penalties section of the Instruction page, which states that if you knowingly and willfully provide incorrect information in Form I-90, you might be denied immigration benefits.

You need to provide current contact information and sign in the required places.

Part 6. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

If you’ve used an interpreter to fill out Form I-90, they should complete this section. You can use an interpreter if you’re not comfortable with English and want someone to translate the information on your behalf.

Part 7. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Application, if Other Than the Applicant

If someone else has prepared this form on your behalf, which can be your relative, friend, or attorney, they are required to complete this section.

Part 8. Additional Information

This section is reserved for any extra space you need to complete any of Form I-90’s previous sections. The space for some sections might be insufficient to describe your situation, so you can extend the answer here. Just be sure to refer back to the section, page number, item number, and part number.

If there’s anything else you want USCIS officials to know to process your application, you can use this section.

Read More

• How Do I Speak to a Live Person at USCIS?
• How Many Citizenships Can You Have?
• How Do I Know Which USCIS Service Center?
• How Do I Know If USCIS Received My Application?
• What “Country of Residence” and How to Know Yours When on a Visa
• How to Check Dropbox Eligibility with the App

Conclusion

Before submitting the form either online or via mail, make sure to double-check your answers. The fee required for this form is $455. While submitting online is convenient, if you’re submitting by mail, use the following address:

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
P.O. Box 21262
Phoenix, AZ 85036

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attention: I-90
1820 E. Skyharbor, Circle S, Floor 1
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Above all, you must prioritize correct information and legibility. Without these, forms are often rejected. If you have any further questions or concerns, consult an immigration attorney.

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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