Lost Your Green Card? What to Do and How to Replace It

Quick answer: What to do if you lost your Green Card

If you lost your Green Card inside the United States, file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, to request a replacement. USCIS currently accepts most Form I-90 applications online or by mail; a fee-waiver request must be mailed with a paper application.

Losing the card does not, by itself, end your lawful permanent resident status. The replacement process depends mainly on where the card went missing and whether you need immediate proof of status.

• Lost or misplaced inside the United States: File Form I-90 after determining that the card cannot be found.
• Stolen inside the United States: File Form I-90. A police report is not normally required by USCIS, but it may document the theft and help if someone misuses your information.
• Lost outside the United States: Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before attempting to travel. If eligible, you may need Form I-131A carrier documentation to return, then Form I-90 after you are back.
• Need proof before the new card arrives: Ask USCIS about temporary Form I-551 evidence, commonly called an ADIT stamp.

Get guided help preparing your replacement application

ImmigrationDirect’s guided software helps you prepare Form I-90 and organize the supporting documents for a lost or stolen card. Start My Green Card Replacement Application. The ImmigrationDirect service fee is separate from the USCIS filing fee.

Does losing your Green Card affect your permanent resident status?

No. The Green Card is evidence of lawful permanent resident status; losing the physical card does not, by itself, cancel that status. You generally remain authorized to live and work in the United States while you replace it.

The practical problem is proving your status. Without the card, you may have difficulty completing employment verification for a new employer, boarding transportation back to the United States, or completing an official process that requires immigration documentation.

A Form I-90 receipt notice confirms that USCIS accepted the application, but it is not a general substitute for a missing Green Card. If you need evidence before the replacement arrives, ask USCIS about temporary Form I-551 documentation.

What should you do based on your situation?

The correct action depends on where the Green Card went missing and whether USCIS delivered it to you. Use the situation below that matches your circumstances.

Lost or misplaced inside the United States

After checking where the card may have been stored or used, file Form I-90 if it cannot be found. Keep any copy or photograph of the card because it may help you complete the form and document your identity.

Stolen inside the United States

File Form I-90. You may also report the theft to local police and monitor for possible identity misuse through IdentityTheft.gov. A police report does not replace the application.

Lost outside the United States

Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before paying a fee or attempting to travel. An eligible permanent resident may need Form I-131A carrier documentation to board transportation to the United States. See “Lost your Green Card outside the United States” below for the detailed process.

USCIS mailed your Green Card, but you did not receive it

A card USCIS issued but you never received is different from a card you received and later lost. First check your USCIS account or Case Status Online for delivery information, then follow the USCIS secure-document non-delivery process. If USCIS tells you to file Form I-90, select the filing reason stating that the card was issued but never received; the evidence and fee may differ from a lost-card filing.

How do you report a lost or stolen Green Card?

USCIS does not have a separate lost-card report. If you are inside the United States, notify USCIS of the loss and request a replacement by filing Form I-90. Select the filing reason stating that the previous card was lost, stolen, or destroyed.

USCIS does not normally require a police report as initial evidence for this filing reason. Review the current Form I-90 instructions for required evidence. If theft is suspected, a local police report can create a record of the incident, while identity-theft monitoring may help you respond to misuse.

A police report does not replace Form I-90 and does not guarantee approval.

How to replace a lost Green Card inside the United States

The replacement process is a Form I-90 filing supported by identity evidence and the correct fee or an eligible fee-waiver request.

Which form should you file?

File Form I-90 and choose the reason stating that your previous card was lost, stolen or destroyed. For this filing reason, Form I-90 replaces the physical card; it does not grant new permanent resident status.

A conditional permanent resident may also use Form I-90 to replace a lost two-year card. Form I-90 does not remove or extend the conditions: marriage-based conditional residents generally use Form I-751 to remove conditions, while investor conditional residents use Form I-829.

For every filing reason and the situations in which a different form is required, see Do You Need to File Form I-90?

What documents do you need to replace a lost or stolen Green Card?

Submit one of the following with Form I-90:

• A copy of the missing Green Card, if available; or
• A copy of another government-issued identity document containing your name, date of birth, photograph and signature.

A qualifying passport, driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification may satisfy the identity requirement. USCIS does not normally require a police report as initial evidence, and you should not delay filing only because you do not have one. Submit copies unless USCIS instructions specifically request an original.

For filing-reason-specific evidence, use the Form I-90 document checklist.

How much does it cost to replace a Green Card?

As of August 2026, the USCIS Form I-90 filing fee depends on how the application is submitted:

USCIS does not charge a separate biometrics fee, although it may schedule biometrics. If you meet USCIS fee-waiver requirements, mail Form I-912 and its evidence with a paper Form I-90; a fee-waiver request cannot be submitted with an online filing.

Fees can change. Confirm the amount in the USCIS Fee Schedule and review the Form I-90 fee guide before filing.

Should you file Form I-90 online or by mail?

Most applicants replacing a lost or stolen Green Card can choose either method. Online filing may suit applicants who want the lower USCIS fee, electronic document uploads, and case notices in one USCIS account. Filing by mail is required for a fee-waiver request and may be preferable if the online system cannot accept the application.

Online filing does not guarantee a faster decision. For a paper filing, use the current mailing address on the official USCIS Form I-90 page; the addresses for USPS and commercial couriers differ and may change. For a detailed comparison, read Can You File Form I-90 Online?

Steps to file Form I-90

1. Confirm the filing reason. Choose the reason for a previous card that was lost, stolen or destroyed.
2. Gather evidence. Prepare a copy of the card, if available, or another qualifying government-issued identity document.
3. Complete the current form. Answer every applicable question accurately and consistently with the evidence.
4. Choose online or paper filing. Use a USCIS online account or download the current form for mailing.
5. Pay the correct fee. If requesting a fee waiver, mail Form I-912 and supporting evidence with the paper filing.
6. Review, sign and submit. Check the name, dates, A-Number, address and filing reason before submission.
7. Keep copies and track the case. Retain the complete application, evidence and payment record, then monitor the case with the receipt number.

For line-by-line help completing the application, read our Form I-90 instructions.

Lost your Green Card outside the United States

If the card is lost, stolen, or destroyed abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before attempting to return. Form I-90 requests a replacement card, but it does not provide the boarding documentation you may need. Depending on your situation, you may first need Form I-131A, Application for Carrier Documentation.

Who may need Form I-131A?

You may need Form I-131A if:

• You are a lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident;
• Your Green Card was lost, stolen or destroyed while you were outside the United States;
• You are returning from temporary travel outside the United States lasting less than one year; and
• You do not have another document that the transportation carrier will accept for boarding.

Different rules apply if you have been outside the United States for one year or longer or if there is a question about whether you abandoned permanent residence. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for instructions. Legal advice may be appropriate if you have had an extended absence.

Carrier documentation is intended to allow an airline or other transportation carrier to take an eligible traveler to the United States without being penalized for transporting someone who does not have a Green Card. It is not a replacement Green Card, and it does not guarantee admission to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes the admission decision when you arrive at a port of entry.

How to request carrier documentation

1. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Confirm that it processes Form I-131A and ask about its appointment and evidence requirements before paying a generally nonrefundable fee.
2. Complete the current Form I-131A. Use the form and instructions on the official USCIS page.
3. Pay the fee online. Use the USCIS carrier-documentation payment system and keep the confirmation.
4. Prepare the evidence. Follow the consular post’s instructions; commonly requested items include a passport, evidence of permanent resident status, travel dates, a passport-style photograph and proof of fee payment.
5. Attend the appointment. Present Form I-131A and the required evidence in person as instructed. Processing procedures vary by location.

Use the U.S. embassy and consulate directory to find the appropriate post.

What to do after returning to the United States

Carrier documentation addresses the immediate boarding issue; it does not replace the card. After returning:

• File Form I-90 using the reason for a card that was lost, stolen or destroyed.
• Submit the identity evidence and fee, or a fee-waiver request if eligible.
• Use the receipt number to track the application and ask USCIS for temporary Form I-551 evidence if you need proof before the card arrives.

How to obtain temporary proof of permanent resident status

USCIS may issue temporary Form I-551 evidence—commonly called an ADIT stamp—when you need to prove permanent resident status before the replacement card arrives. USCIS decides the format and validity period.

When might you need temporary proof?

You may need temporary evidence of permanent resident status when you:

• Have upcoming international travel;
• Need documentation for employment verification and do not have another acceptable document;
• Apply for a driver’s license, government benefit or service that requires evidence of immigration status; or
• Must provide proof of permanent residence for another official purpose.

For a person whose card is missing, the Form I-90 receipt notice alone should not be treated as general proof of status. A separate, limited Form I-9 receipt rule may apply to employment verification.

How to request temporary Form I-551 documentation or an ADIT stamp

Follow these steps to request temporary evidence:

1. File Form I-90 and keep the receipt number. If the need arises before the notice arrives, contact USCIS for instructions.
2. Request ADIT-stamp service. Use the USCIS online appointment-request system or contact the USCIS Contact Center.
3. Explain the need. Be ready to provide identity and address information, the receipt number, the reason for the request and the date the evidence is needed.
4. Follow USCIS instructions. USCIS may mail temporary evidence on Form I-94 with an ADIT stamp or require an in-person field-office appointment. Bring the documents listed in the appointment notice.

USCIS appointments are free. Check the validity date on the temporary evidence and contact USCIS if the replacement remains pending when it approaches expiration.

Can you work or travel while waiting for the replacement?

A pending Form I-90 does not suspend permanent resident status. You generally remain authorized to work and may travel, but employment and travel have different document rules.

Can you work while Form I-90 is pending?

Yes. If an employer previously completed Form I-9 using your Green Card, the employer generally does not reverify work authorization merely because the card was lost or expired. For a new Form I-9, you may choose any acceptable document or combination; the employer generally cannot require a Green Card specifically.

USCIS also has a limited receipt rule for a List A, B or C document that was lost, stolen or damaged. A receipt showing that you applied to replace the document may be accepted temporarily for 90 days from the first day of work. Before that period ends, you generally must present the replacement or another acceptable document. Review the current USCIS Form I-9 receipt guidance.

Can you travel while Form I-90 is pending?

A pending application does not automatically prevent travel, but a Form I-90 receipt notice alone may not be enough when the original card is missing.

• Before leaving the United States, request temporary Form I-551 evidence and confirm that it will remain valid through the return date.
• Carry a valid passport and the temporary evidence, and confirm carrier boarding requirements.
• If the card is lost while abroad, contact a U.S. embassy or consulate because Form I-131A carrier documentation may be necessary.

Temporary Form I-551 evidence and carrier documentation do not guarantee admission. A lengthy absence may also raise separate residence-abandonment issues that a pending Form I-90 does not resolve.

What happens after filing Form I-90?

After USCIS accepts the application, a replacement case generally follows these steps. Not every case requires every step.

1. USCIS sends a receipt notice. Form I-797 contains the receipt number for tracking. It confirms acceptance, not approval, and it is not a general substitute for a missing Green Card.
2. USCIS may schedule biometrics. USCIS may reuse existing biometrics or send Form I-797C for a new appointment. Follow the notice to attend or reschedule; a missed required appointment can lead to denial.
3. USCIS may request evidence. A Request for Evidence states what is missing and the response deadline. Submit all requested material using the method in the notice.
4. USCIS decides the application. After reviewing the form, evidence and any biometrics or response, USCIS approves or denies Form I-90.
5. USCIS produces and mails the card. Monitor the online account or Case Status Online for production and delivery updates. Check all information on the new card as soon as it arrives.

How long does Green Card replacement take?

Form I-90 processing time varies with USCIS workload, the case facts, biometrics and requests for evidence. Online filing does not guarantee a faster decision. Check the USCIS processing-times tool for the current estimate; it is not a guaranteed completion date.

If the case is outside USCIS’s published normal processing time, follow the inquiry instructions in the tool. For an explanation of the stages and current estimates, read the Form I-90 processing-time guide.

How do you check your Green Card replacement status?

Use the 13-character receipt number from Form I-797, usually three letters followed by 10 numbers. Sign in to your USCIS online account to view notices and case updates, or enter the number without spaces or dashes in Case Status Online.

Status updates may show that USCIS received the application, scheduled biometrics, requested evidence, approved the case, produced the card or mailed it. Delivery information may include USPS tracking. Check your case at USCIS Case Status Online.

Update your address while Form I-90 is pending

If you move, use the USCIS change-of-address service promptly and include the Form I-90 receipt number. Most noncitizens must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving.

Changing an address with USPS does not update it with USCIS, and mail forwarding alone may not prevent a card or notice from being returned.

What if your Form I-90 case has a problem?

Can you appeal a Form I-90 denial?

A Form I-90 denial cannot be appealed. However, you may be able to file Form I-290B to request a motion to reopen or reconsider. A motion to reopen presents new facts and evidence; a motion to reconsider argues that USCIS incorrectly applied law or policy to the existing record.

Follow the deadline and instructions in the denial notice. Review the reason before refiling and consult the Form I-90 denial guide or obtain legal advice if the decision concerns criminal history, abandonment of residence or immigration status.

Can Form I-90 be expedited?

USCIS may expedite Form I-90 at its discretion, case by case, when a request meets an expedite criterion and is supported by evidence. Form I-90 has no premium-processing service. After receiving the receipt number, follow the USCIS expedite-request process. Approval is not guaranteed.

If the immediate need is proof for work or travel, temporary Form I-551 evidence may address it more directly than an expedite request.

What if the replacement card does not arrive?

Check the USCIS account or Case Status Online for the mailing date and tracking number, confirm that USCIS has the current address, and use the USCIS secure-document non-delivery process. Do not automatically submit another Form I-90; a card returned to USCIS or never delivered may require a different filing reason and fee treatment than one delivered and later lost.

FAQs About Lost Green Cards

Get guided help preparing Form I-90

Replacing a lost or stolen Green Card requires the correct filing reason, accurate answers and acceptable identity evidence. ImmigrationDirect’s guided software provides a structured alternative to completing a blank government form.

The service can help you:

• Complete Form I-90 through a question-by-question workflow and save your progress;
• Identify missing responses and common data-entry inconsistencies;
• Organize a supporting-document checklist for a lost or stolen card; and
• Receive a completed paper filing package to review, sign and submit to USCIS.

These features may reduce avoidable omissions, but they do not guarantee USCIS acceptance or approval.

ImmigrationDirect and USCIS fees

The service fee and government filing fee are separate:

Based on the fees above, the combined cost for an ImmigrationDirect-prepared paper filing is $840. Government fees can change. Prepare My Green Card Replacement Application

ImmigrationDirect is a private form-preparation service, not a government agency. Blank forms are free from USCIS. You must review, sign and file the package; USCIS decides the case.